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A massive pileup at Talladega during a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race produced fireworks both on and off the track. The accident took a number of drivers out of checkered flag contention, with two particular racers being extremely heated.
After being knocked out of the race, Matt Crafton and Nick Sanchez were seen in an all-out brawl, leaving one of those NASCAR truck drivers with a face full of blood.
The scuffle was a result of some rubbing on the track.
Crafton and Sanchez got tangled up, leading both to lose control of their vehicles. In a “battle for space,” as the broadcast crew put it, the two drivers caused a massive pileup that took out a number of cars.
Nick Sanchez and Matt Crafton trigger a big crash coming to two to go at Talladega: https://t.co/IzEq3m4FXM pic.twitter.com/LBQrLRJYrr
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) September 30, 2023
Who’s fault the incident was is open to interpretation. It’s clear that neither driver believed they were in the wrong after the fact.
Crafton actually pulled into Sanchez’s pit stall to exchange a few words with his opponent following the wreck. The two were later seen scrapping as bodies and punches flew off the track.
Warning: there is some harsh language in the clip below.
EXCLUSIVE: @Nicksanchez080 involved in a post race fight after Talladega. #NASCAR #NASCARPlayoffs
📹@WyattGametime pic.twitter.com/3qy3RxDH4Y
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) September 30, 2023
In that video, you can see Sanchez crawling on the ground as blood runs down his face. Amid the brawl, you can hear him shouting obscenities at his NASCAR foe.
“I’m going to f—ing kill you,” Sanchez shouted in Crafton’s direction. “You f—- with the wrong guy, mother f—er.”
NASCAR is reportedly looking into the brawl, which produced an ugly scene. It wasn’t the only viral moment of the day.
Earlier in the race, Zane Smith nearly took out one of his own crew members when he lost control of his truck on pit road. The crew member was hit but was somehow able to avoid major injury and walk away unscathed.
We can’t say the same for Nick Sanchez. Just another day at Talladega.