Kyle Busch, Danica Patrick among drivers in big crash at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. --- A huge mid-race crash apparently started by Kyle Busch ended the victory chances of several key drivers in Saturday night’s Coke Zero 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Busch lost control of his Toyota in the middle of a big pack in Turn 2 on Lap 72. The car looped through the turn, sending others scattering across the track and others into the outside wall.

Busch was running in front of his brother, Kurt, when the accident started. Kurt slipped by as Kyle’s spin began. It appeared that Kyle had a tire problem after light contact with Michael McDowell.

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Kyle Busch continues to look for his first win of the season. Kurt Busch won the Daytona 500 here in February.

Others involved in the crash were Austin Dillon, Joey Logano, McDowell, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, Danica Patrick and Martin Truex Jr.

“I just tried to slow down, but you know you get hit from behind, you hit the guy in front of you - there’s nothing you can do," Truex said. "When you’re going 190 something and everybody stops in front of you, it’s kind of hard to do anything. ... This July race, man, I don’t think I’ve finished it in like five years. It’s just – it’s been a tough one every time. Every time we feel like we’re doing something OK we get in a big wreck.

“I’m always in the wreck. I’ve never caused them either, so that’s the part that hurts the most. It’s the toughest part to deal with. It’s just plate racing."

Follow Hembree on Twitter @mikehembree