Photos show shocking aftermath of Corey LaJoie, Josh Berry’s last lap wreck at Talladega

“It’s just super unfortunate,” McDowell said after the race. “I just hate it for everyone on this Love’s Ford Mustang and I hate it for Brad, too. We did a good job of keeping those Mustangs up front and he did everything right. He pushed me out, I drove back to him, and I was able to get in front of him that very first time but when I came back down, just barely wasn’t clear. I’ll have to watch the replay but that’s what I remember from it.

“So, I hated that we didn’t make it to the finish line. We had such a fast Mustang today and it’s unfortunate. It’s been a rough few weeks but it’s the last lap at Talladega. Going for it, trying to get a win and just came up short. Hate that I took a lot of guys with me, so I apologize to Brad and everybody that got collected in that.”

Corey LaJoie and Josh Berry still finished strong

LaJoie and Berry still had strong finishes at Talladega, placing 18th and 16th, respectively. LaJoie has competed in 242 Cup Series races and has finished in the top 10 nine times. Berry is in his first year as a full-time Cup Series driver, competing in the No. 4 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing. He took over for Kevin Harvick, who retired from full-time racing after the 2023 season.

“It really means a lot to have the support that I’ve had,” Berry said last June, per NASCAR.com. “Obviously, to get to this point, I knew that everybody at SHR and this group beside me believes in me and what I bring to the table.

“Like I’ve said, it’s going to be a great challenge trying to fill the job that Kevin’s done over the years. I mean, he’s a future Hall-of-Famer and has won countless races, a championship and I’ve been watching the races this year – these guys have been running really well from what I’ve been seeing. So it’s really encouraging for me and exciting to know that I’m gonna get such a great group around me. I intend to do everything I can to try to keep that group together and excited to work with me.”