Joey Logano Issues Apologies Following Violent Multi-Car Pileup and Race-Ending Wreck at Phoenix Raceway

Joey Logano takes blame for a multi-car crash at Phoenix Raceway that sent Anthony Alfredo airborne and ended the day for several top NASCAR contenders.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 9:35 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Motorsport.com

Aggressive Restart Maneuver Triggers High-Speed Chain Reaction

A high-stakes restart with fewer than 100 laps remaining at Phoenix Raceway turned into a significant multi-car incident initiated by pole-sitter Joey Logano. Positioned in seventh as the first car with four fresh tires, Logano attempted to capitalize on his grip advantage by diving into the dogleg behind Ross Chastain. Contact from Logano’s No. 22 Ford upset the balance of Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet, causing it to fishtail. Logano then clipped Chastain’s right-rear, sending the Chevrolet spinning vertically across the track into the path of oncoming traffic.

Spectacular Collision Sends Hendrick Entry Airborne

The resulting wreckage left following drivers with no viable escape routes, leading to violent impacts for Anthony Alfredo and Austin Cindric. Alfredo, who was substituting for Alex Bowman in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, struck the spinning Chastain and was briefly launched into the air with all four wheels leaving the racing surface before slamming into the outside wall. Cindric’s No. 2 Ford also suffered heavy front-end damage in the melee. While Chastain was able to continue the race over 25 laps down, the cars of Alfredo and Cindric were effectively destroyed.

Logano Expresses Contrition After Second Fatal Encounter

Following the initial restart chaos, Logano’s day deteriorated further when he was involved in a second, race-ending accident. While battling three-wide with AJ Allmendinger, Logano’s Mustang spun and skidded across the apron before sliding back into traffic. This second rotation collected Daniel Suarez and Josh Berry, resulting in a three-car retirement for the group. Outside the infield care center, a visibly dejected Logano admitted he had misjudged the space on the track, characterizing the final blow as a byproduct of aggressive racing during a "rough day."