Shane van Gisbergen won his first stage win on an oval of his NASCAR career.
But it didn't come without controversy.
The Trackhouse Racing driver bumped the back of Kyle Larson's Chevrolet as they approached
the finish line to end Stage 1 of the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona on Aug. 29. Larson then ran into the back of race leader Chris Buescher to send both Larson and Buescher into the frontstretch grass. Larson finished sixth and Buescher went from the lead to 11th and didn't get any stage points.
Ryan Preece, Buescher's teammate, was collected in the wreck by Buescher and Larson when they went across the track to the grass. Preece entered the regular-season finale 17th in points, 31 points behind van Gisbergen for the final spot in the Chase.
Ty Gibbs finished second and Joey Logano finished third.
Preece finished eighth, earning three stage points but losing points ground to van Gisbergen.
Chris Buescher's car needs repairs after crash
Buescher lost 13 laps after the last-lap accident for repairs involving the suspension and steering.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Shane van Gisbergen wins NASCAR Daytona first stage in crazy finish
