A chaotic finish at the Anduril 250
The 250‑mile Anduril 250 NASCAR race on the streets of El Cajon, California, drew a full grid of competitors, including veteran Jimmie Johnson in what would become his penultimate Cup start and rookie Connor Zilisch, the youngest driver ever to lead a lap on a road or street course.
Mid‑race, Austin Hill’s brake lockup sent his car careening into the outside wall, collecting Shane Van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch in a multi‑car pile‑up that shifted the track’s outer barrier and forced a repair crew onto the circuit.
Hill, visibly shaken, offered an apology over the radio, acknowledging that his locked brakes forced Zilisch into the wall. The incident also marked the brief substitution of Brent Crews for the injured Christopher Bell, a stint that ended after just 17 laps when a transmission failure ended his run.
Despite the chaos, A.J. Allmendinger finished fifth and later described the event as one of the best he has attended, while former champion Jeff Gordon praised the atmosphere, saying it felt unlike any first‑time event he had experienced in his career.
Track officials confirmed that the barrier displacement would require a day of repairs before the next event, but the race’s electric vibe and the drivers’ positive feedback suggest the format could become a staple of the NASCAR calendar.