The first official on-track action of the 2012 season ended early when five cars crashed in the third corner in the final moments of the opening practice for Saturday's Budweiser Shootout.
The wreck started when Kurt Busch moved up to try to pass Martin Truex Jr. Tony Stewart was on Busch's rear bumper, and once his nose was pressed to the left-rear corner of Busch's machine, carnage ensued. Busch spun down into brother Kyle, while Stewart was rear-ended by A.J. Allmendinger and turned himself. Brad Keselowski was also heavilly involved.
Stewart took responsibility for the accident, stating that he was pushing Busch and therefore at fault. The 2011 Sprint Cup champion's team will repair his Chevrolet, but both Busch brothers and the two Penske Racing cars of Allmendinger and Keselowski will have to go to backup cars. Busch's Chevy needs heavy preparation, including the Tag-Huer Eyewear paint scheme and even the installation of his driver's seat.
Jeff Gordon's Chevrolet took a minimal hit into the back bumper of Keselowski's machine and will be repaired.