‘Just happy to be alive’: Watch as Joey Logano’s car goes airborne then flips upside down, NASCAR race paused after 15 cars crash at Talladega

The NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama was paused with five laps remaining on Sunday, October 25. This followed a red flag which was issued after 15 cars, including Joey Logano's, crashed on the frontstretch.

The 15-car pile-up also involved Austin Cindric, Josh Berry. Riley Herbst, Chase Briscoe and Brad Keselowski. Herbst reportedly lost the brakes in his No. 35 Toyota and hit the outside wall at full speed. He then swerved hard and hit the wall across the track in another strong impact. Kyle Larson went on to win the race, moving closer to securing the NASCAR Championship, which could be his third series title.

What happened at Talladega?

The Team Penske driver ,Logano, who has won thrice at Talladega, had been in fourth place when he lost control of his No. 22 Ford. Logano reportedly lost control after a push by Carson Hoceve. This prompted the 15 car pile up. His car flipped upside down and remained airborne before falling on its roof after the crash.

NASCAR issued a red flag after the incident. After the crash Logano could be seen climbing out of his overturned car. Fans applauded him as he came out. Logano was able to remain calm as his spotter Pressley kept talking to him. The spotter could be heard saying, “Hold it, hold it. Nothing’s coming right here,” over the radio.

“There’s nothing coming. There’s nothing coming that’s gonna hit you…Alright talk to us once you stop…Talk to us, are you Ok? Talk to us here, Joey,” Pressley was heard saying to Logano.

Safety crews required several minutes to turn Logano’s Ford back over to its wheels. Herbst was also able to exit his car with the help of the safety crew. He leaned against his car before taking his helmet off.

Also read: Candice Swanepoel’s net worth, career and family: Who is the supermodel reportedly dating Tom Brady?

How did the driver react to his crash?


Talking to reported, Logano said, “I just got a push in the wrong spot there, It was very much a ‘Talladega Nights’ Oh no I am upside down, there it not good moment, I can’t thank the safety crew enough…They did an amazing job flipping that thing over”.

He further added that the car “did a great job”. Recalling the last time he flipped, Logano said, “It crushed on my head…This time, I don’t think any of the roll case crushed at all, so I appreciate what NASCAR has done…There was some vicious hits in this one.” He added that he was happy to be alive.

Logano had got in a similar incident in April, 2021 at the same track. He had then said that his car went up in the air and its roof crushed. “I got a roll bar in my head…that is not ok,” he had said. NASCAR has since made several safety enhancements for airborne crashes.

Herbst, who crashed into the wall twice, also spoke to reporters after the race. He said, “I’m Ok, it was a big one…It’s been an up-and-down year, to say the least”. Herbst thanked his team for the support and added, “My dad always said, ‘If you’re going to be dumb, you better be tough.’ So cheers.”

The next race will be held at the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia with the Xfinity 500, the penultimate race this season on Sunday, November 1.