A Look Back at the Unforgettable Finish of the 2011 Iowa NASCAR Race

On August 6, 2011, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series held the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway, which became known for one of the most unusual finishes in the sport's history.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and his Roush teammate Carl Edwards were leading the race, having combined to dominate 134 of the 250 laps. As they battled for position late in the race, they made contact while vying for third place, leading to a caution that allowed them to regroup.

During the restart, Stenhouse and Edwards engaged in a fierce side-by-side battle for the lead behind Elliott Sadler. With 22 laps remaining, Stenhouse gained a lead, but as he approached the finish line, his engine failed, causing a dramatic scene. Edwards, unable to avoid the oil slick and smoke, collided with Stenhouse's car, propelling him across the finish line. Both cars were damaged, yet they finished first and second, marking a memorable moment in NASCAR history.