The first segment of the NASCAR All-Star Race started and ended with big crashes.
Nine cars were involved in each wreck at Dover Motor Speedway − the first came on Lap 2 and the second with three laps to go.
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Riley Herbst started the second crash when he got turned. Christopher Bell got caught up in the melee along with Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, AJ Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, Zane Smith, John Hunter Nemechek, and Alex Bowman.
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: A performer is seen in front of the Monster Monument prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: A performer is seen in front of the Monster Monument prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, looks on during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Xfinity Toyota, (R) and Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 TREETOP Toyota, looks on during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Dragons Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to he NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Dragons Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to he NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Kyle Busch, driver of the #8 Lucas Oil Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
May 17, 2026; Dover, Delaware, USA; A general view of the Miles the Monster statue in the midway prior to the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
May 17, 2026; Dover, Delaware, USA; A general view of a sand sculpture on the midway prior to the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
May 17, 2026; Dover, Delaware, USA; NASCAR fans walk on the track prior to the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
May 17, 2026; Dover, Delaware, USA; A general view of the NASCAR All-start race logo on the pace car prior to the NASCAR All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: NASCAR Hall of Famer Donnie Allison speaks to a young fan during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Wrangler Ford, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: William Byron, driver of the #24 Axalta Solar Boost Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Michael McDowell, driver of the #71 RCA Chevrolet, signs autographs for NASCAR fans prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Mobil 1 Toyota, signs autographs for a young NASCAR fan at the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: NASCAR Hall of Famer Donnie Allison speaks to Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Mobil 1 Toyota, signs autographs for a young NASCAR fan at the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, signs autographs for a young NASCAR fan at the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: NASCAR FOX Sports broadcaster Mike Joy is acknowledged during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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NASCAR All-Star Race best photos from the Monster Mile
DOVER, DELAWARE – MAY 17: NASCAR FOX Sports broadcaster Mike Joy laughs during the drivers meeting prior to the NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
BIG EARLY CRASH IN ALL-STAR RACE: Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson among 9 involved in early NASCAR All-Star Race crash
Elliott and Nemechek were involved in both wrecks. Elliott said after the second crash he did not expect to return, but said he will leave it up to his team.
Nemechek said he did not expect to return either.
Bubba Wallace went on to win the first 75-lap segment.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman involved in NASCAR All-Star Race crash
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