If you ever watch a NASCAR race at the Talladega Superspeedway, you will often hear about “The Big One.” Oftentimes, the TV announcers before a superspeedway race will say it is not if “The Big One” will occur, it is when it will.
“The Big One” is a common phrase used in NASCAR to describe any massive, multi-car crash. While the definition of “The Big One” is subjective, it is normally used to describe a crash of 10 or more cars.
With the bumper-to-bumper, drafting-style of racing seen at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, “The Big One” is almost bound to happen because of how close the cars are running next to each other and the high rates of speed.
History of ‘The Big One’ in NASCAR And Where They Are Often Seen
The late Bob Jenkins was one of the first NASCAR announcers to coin “The Big One” term. As a massive pileup ensued in the 1998 Winston 500 at Talladega, Jenkins said:
“This is the big one that we had hoped we would not have.”
NASCAR Hall of Famer and former TV color commentator Darrell Waltrip famously used the term as well. During a multi-car crash on the backstretch in the 2001 Daytona 500, Waltrip said:
“It’s the big one, gang, it’s the big one. It’s what we’ve all been fearing in this kind of racing is going to happen.”
One of the notable “Big Ones” that have happened in recent memory was in the 2024 YellaWood 500 at Talladega. With five laps remaining, a 28-car pileup ensued on the backstretch of the 2.66-mile track. In terms of total amount of cars involved, it was the largest crash in NASCAR’s modern era.
Another recent “Big One” occurred in the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega earlier this year. After Bubba Wallace got turned out of the lead heading into turn 3, it caused a 26-car crash.
Chances are at Daytona and Talladega, “The Big One” is right around the corner.
Talladega Could Massively Shake Up NASCAR Cup Championship
The NASCAR Cup Series circuit heads to the Talladega Superspeedway this weekend for the eighth race of the Chase. With the unpredictability of Talladega and the looming “Big One” at any moment, the battle for the championship could see a massive shake-up this Sunday.
Here is a look at the Chase standings ahead of the YellaWood 500:
- Kyle Larson — LEADER
- Christopher Bell — (-5)
- Chase Briscoe — (-24)
- Denny Hamlin — (-31)
- Ryan Blaney — (-40)
- Joey Logano — (-44)
- Tyler Reddick — (-56)
- Austin Cindric — (-130)
- Ty Gibbs — (-132)
- Chase Elliott — (-149)
- Carson Hocevar — (-158)
- Bubba Wallace — (-162)
- Daniel Suarez — (-188)
- William Byron — (-190)
- Chris Buescher — (-204)
- Ryan Preece — (-211)
The YellaWood 500 is scheduled for Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. ET. It can be watched on NBC or listened to on the Motor Racing Network.