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Riley Herbst Sparks Intentional Wreck Speculation After Michael McDowell Crash

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 17: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 FRE Nicotine Pouches Toyota, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 at Phoenix Raceway on October 17, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Riley Herbst and Michael McDowell have been here before. And after what happened Sunday at Phoenix Raceway, plenty of people are wondering whether their latest run-in was more than just another racing incident.

The two drivers tangled on Lap 44 of the Freeway Insurance 500, bringing out an early caution after contact in Turn 3 sent both cars spinning.

On its own, the wreck might not have generated much conversation beyond the usual debate over who was at fault. But Herbst and McDowell have some unfinished business dating back to New Hampshire, where their previous encounter ended with Herbst suffering a concussion.

That history immediately became part of the conversation at Phoenix, with several NASCAR reporters questioning whether Herbst had intentionally turned McDowell.

Caution is out. Riley Herbst and Michael McDowell wrecked in Turn 3

These two had been racing hard and it looked like Riley tried to take out McDowell on corner entry but took himself out in the process

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