During the dramatic closing laps of the 2025 South Point 400 at Las Vegas, a collision involving William Byron and Ty Dillon disrupted the race, triggering significant controversy around the William Byron Vegas crash. As a result of the incident, Joe White, Ty Dillon’s spotter, was dismissed from Kaulig Racing, but he now contends that blame should rest with Byron’s team rather than himself.
The final stages of the Vegas race saw Byron running in second place, fiercely competing in the No. 24 Chevrolet, as Ty Dillon opted for a pit stop with just over 30 laps remaining. In a split second, Byron made hard contact with Dillon’s car as Dillon slowed to enter pit road, causing terminal damage to both vehicles. The crash extinguished Byron’s strong championship bid, sending ripples through NASCAR and igniting debate about responsibility.
Tension Rises Over Communication Breakdown
Officials and fans alike quickly turned their focus to the question of communication following the crash. Joe White, who had spent the season spotting for Dillon, was at the center of attention. According to NASCAR insiders, harsh criticism arose from both sides after the incident left Byron scored 36th and largely out of championship contention, 15 points adrift with only two races left in the Round of 8.
Joe White, recently relieved of his Kaulig Racing duties, decided to address the incident directly, stating:
Just to be clear, here is the story of what happened last Sunday. I did in fact go down and tell the spotter of the 24 that we were pitting, and he misinterpreted the information. That’s what happened.
— Joe White, Spotter
White maintains that he directly notified Branden Lines, William Byron’s spotter, about Dillon’s impending pit stop. However, the Hendrick Motorsports camp disputed this, insisting that the message had not been received. Byron himself said after the race:
Nobody said anything to my spotter, from what I know. I had zero idea. I never saw him wave. I didn’t see any indication that he was pitting.
— William Byron, Driver
White’s assertion fueled fierce debate, with neither camp willing to claim fault for the costly miscommunication. This level of uncertainty has left NASCAR fans and analysts parsing radio transmissions and reviewing every moment leading up to the crash.
Impact on Byron’s Championship Prospects
Hendrick Motorsports and William Byron entered Las Vegas as a top championship favorite in the Cup Series season. Byron’s devastating finish in 36th after the crash has put his title hopes in jeopardy, forcing him to chase a significant points deficit at Talladega and Martinsville to have any hope of making the Championship 4. Ty Dillon, meanwhile, saw his own chances unaffected to the same degree, but the wider consequences of the crash immediately overshadowed any hopes for an uneventful end to the season for either team.
NASCAR’s Managing Director of Competition, Brad Moran, confirmed that the incident underwent review. The day after Moran’s announcement, Joe White was released from his position, ending his tenure ahead of a crucial Talladega weekend and sending a clear message about accountability and team performance under pressure.
Leadership Comments Amplify the Fallout
The aftermath of the William Byron Vegas crash was not limited to conflicting statements from the key participants. Kaulig Racing’s CEO, Chris Rice, made his perspective public via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio:
I hate it for everybody. But, I’m not going to take blame. If you’re sitting at a stop light and you get hit in the back-end, are you going to take blame that the car behind you hit you?
— Chris Rice, CEO, Kaulig Racing
Despite Rice’s insistence that the team was not at fault, White was terminated, suggesting deeper organizational responses beyond public pronouncements. Insiders indicated that while White anticipated not calling races for Dillon next year, his outright dismissal came as a surprise, reflecting the high stakes and heightened scrutiny surrounding NASCAR’s playoff races.
New Directions for Kaulig Racing in 2026
While the drama around the Vegas crash continued, Kaulig Racing revealed major plans for the near future. With Ram rejoining NASCAR as the fourth manufacturer in 2026, Kaulig announced its role as Ram’s flagship entry in the upcoming Craftsman Truck Series season. Brenden Queen, the reigning ARCA Menards Series champion, was tapped to lead the program as their first confirmed driver.
Queen, who built his reputation through stellar performances including eight victories and nine top-four finishes in 20 ARCA races, will take command of Kaulig’s Ram entry. He previously impressed during an Xfinity Series debut for Kaulig at Bristol, taking second, and secured a top-ten at Kansas soon after. Reflecting on his new opportunity, Queen said:
A big thanks to Matt Kaulig, Chris Rice, RAM, and everyone at Kaulig Racing for this opportunity. I’m just a short-track kid who’s worked hard every day, never really knowing if I’d ever make it to this level. I’m very thankful for this chance and can’t wait to get rolling with RAM and Kaulig Racing. The goals are simple: build a winning team and chase championships.
— Brenden Queen, Driver
Queen’s announcement comes as Stellantis aims to boost Ram’s presence in NASCAR, hinting at broader manufacturer rivalries ahead. Queen joins Ty Majeski and Layne Riggs as confirmed drivers for the 2026 Truck Series season. As Kaulig Racing prepares for this new chapter, the rest of its lineup remains under wraps, but industry watchers anticipate further announcements amid ongoing team changes, including the earlier departure of Justin Haley.
Looking Forward in a Turbulent NASCAR Season
The Las Vegas crash has set in motion significant consequences for William Byron, Kaulig Racing, and the broader Cup Series title chase. Byron faces a daunting path to recover his championship bid, relying on standout performances at Talladega and Martinsville. Kaulig, meanwhile, seeks to turn the page and focus on its bold new venture with Ram and its incoming ARCA champion, Brenden Queen.
As NASCAR’s playoff season continues, the unresolved questions from the William Byron Vegas crash serve as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change and how vital precise team communication is at the elite level. With leadership perspectives still divided and new talent entering the limelight, the next races promise more intense developments both on and off the track.
Just to be clear, here is the story of what happened last Sunday. I did in fact go down and tell the spotter of the 24 that we were pitting, and he misinterpreted the information. That’s what happened. https://t.co/af49xudlAO
— Joe White (@White_Joe47) October 16, 2025
