In the aftermath of a violent crash during Daytona Speedweeks, Kris Wright has clarified the circumstances that led to his high-speed collision with Josh Bilicki. Contrary to initial speculation, Wright insists that the incident was not caused by a total brake failure but rather a miscommunication with his spotter, compounded by a braking issue.
The wreck occurred during one of the preliminary races leading up to the Daytona 500, as Wright’s car slammed into the rear of Bilicki’s vehicle at full speed, sending debris flying and triggering immediate concerns. Early speculation pointed to a brake failure, but Wright took to social media and interviews to set the record straight.
“I want to be clear—it wasn’t a brake failure,” Wright stated. “I did have a braking issue, but the biggest factor in the crash was a miscommunication with my spotter. I didn’t get the right information at the right time, and unfortunately, that led to me getting into the back of Josh.”
While Wright didn’t go into specifics about the exact nature of the braking issue, his comments suggest that his car wasn’t completely without braking power. Instead, it seems there was a delay or inconsistency in his ability to slow down, paired with unclear communication that left him unprepared for the situation ahead.
Bilicki, who was caught up in the crash, has yet to respond publicly, but given the nature of restrictor-plate racing at Daytona, miscommunication between drivers and their spotters is not uncommon. At speeds nearing 200 mph, every second counts, and even a slight delay in relaying information can have catastrophic consequences.
Despite the wreck, Wright remains focused on the rest of the season, acknowledging that Daytona can be unpredictable. Whether the braking issue stems from a mechanical problem or just an unfortunate racing incident remains to be seen, but for now, Wright is adamant that it was a mix-up on the radio, not equipment failure, that led to the crash.
With the intensity of Speedweeks continuing to build, all eyes will be on Wright’s team to ensure there are no further issues heading into the remainder of the event.
