Chase Elliott reacts to ‘big one’ at Richmond, contact with Kyle Busch that ended his race

For the first time this season, Chase Elliott will post a DNF. Elliott was one of 12 drivers collected in the Lap 198 “big one” in Saturday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

The wreck was triggered by Kyle Busch getting into the back of Chase Briscoe, stacking up the field behind them in Turn 3. Elliott initially made it through but got tagged by Busch exiting Turn 3. Elliott hit the outside wall head-on. After getting checked out in the infield care center, Elliott addressed the wreck. He said that it was clear Busch didn’t know he was on the bottom before he turned left and into him.

“I have no idea what happened still,” Elliott told NBC Sports. “Obviously, I saw them crashing and we were all just stacking up trying to get stopped and then after the wreck was over, I thought we were done wrecking and was just trying to squeak by. Guess somebody didn’t know I was down there. Kyle just didn’t know I was to the left.

“… We were through there at a decent rate and unfortunately Kyle didn’t know we were on the bottom. Had a good start to the night and it just slowly unraveled until it fell apart. Hopefully we can go on a better stretch starting next week.”

This story is developing…