Daytona 500: Early Lap 5 Caution After B. J. McLeod Spin Collects Justin Allgaier, Several Others
The 68th running of the Daytona 500 saw its first caution almost immediately. On Lap 5 a right-rear issue sent B. J. McLeod spinning and set off a stack-up that collected multiple contenders, including Justin Allgaier. The early incident left the No. 24 car pancaked into the outside wall and raised immediate questions about damage and strategy for teams that had hoped for a clean opening stint.
What unfolded on Lap 5
Just a few laps into the race, McLeod’s No. 78 experienced a right-rear problem that sent him around and into the racing groove. The sudden slowdown created a chain reaction deep in the pack. As cars tried to navigate the developing situation, contact spread through the field and left several competitors damaged.
Justin Allgaier, running in the mix, was among those collected in the aftermath. The on-track congestion left little room for evasive action, and a scrape through the mess preceded a more severe contact for one driver whose No. 24 was ultimately pushed into the outside wall and suffered the heaviest damage of the group.
Impacts for Justin Allgaier and contenders
Justin Allgaier’s involvement in the Lap 5 incident removes an early chance for him to build momentum in the Great American Race. Being collected that early typically forces teams to make quick assessments on whether to repair and rejoin or to focus on damage control and long-term points strategy. For drivers caught in such a melee, the physical toll on the car can translate into a lengthy pit stop and lost track position even if the chassis remains largely intact.
Beyond Allgaier, the incident was costly for a handful of drivers who had hoped to avoid early attrition at Daytona. The driver of the No. 24 bore the brunt of the contact when that car was pancaked into the wall after cars scraped through the congestion. Early incidents like this reshuffle the deck and can create unexpected opportunities for teams that escape unscathed.
What to watch next
With the first yellow of the day coming so early, teams that kept their cars clean will gain a tactical advantage. Pit strategy, tire management and how crews handle repairs during the caution will shape the opening stages once green-flag racing resumes. For competitors who were collected, quick and precise work on pit road is critical to salvage track time and remain in contention for the later portions of the race.
For Justin Allgaier and others caught up in the wreck, the question now is how effectively their teams can respond under pressure. The Daytona 500 is notorious for late-race drama, and surviving the early laps without major damage remains an essential part of any successful run in this event.
Expect crews to be busy assessing damage, and for the running order to look quite different once the field gets back to speed following cleanup and repairs.
