Kligerman was able to take the lead on the final lap of regulation and as the field crossed the start finish line with the white flag flying, chaos ensued. Noah Gragson in the #18 got loose, went up the track in turn one slamming into Justin Haley in the #24 who then collected Johnny Sauter in the #21 who led the most laps in the race. The collision also collected Stewart Friesen in the #52 and Matt Crafton in the #88. Since the leader had already made it to the stat finish line, the race was deemed finished as the yellow flag flew.
The final crash not only had an impact on deciding the race winner, but also the playoff standings as Talladega was the final race in the stage of 8. After Kaz Garala wrecked very earl in the race, the 6th and final spot remaining in the playoffs was up for grabs between John Hunter Nemecheck in the #8 and Chase Briscoe in the #29. Briscoe crashed earlier in the race and returned to the track. Despite being 9 laps down he still had a shot depending on the finish of John Hunter. The final crash allowed John Hunter to make the final passes he needed to make to playoff cut line into the final 6 with a 6th place finish in the Freds 250 ending just 8 points ahead of Briscoe.
In total there were 6 caution flags that resulted in a cumulative 27 laps. Only 15 of the 31 cars ended the race on the lead lap, and only 22 cars were on the track as the race ended due to the wrecks.
Christopher Bell’s 2nd place finish kept his solid lead in the playoff standings. Johnny Sauter remained 2nd in the standings, but is just 3 points ahead of Matt Crofton in 3rd. Ben Rhodes and Austin Cindric round out the top 5, with John Hunter Nemechek claiming that final 6th spot.
