Friday the 13th Power Rankings: Unluckiest on-track incidents of 2021

Happy Friday the 13th! Or beware – it’s Friday the 13th. Today we power rank what we consider to be the most unfortunate on-track happenings in 2021 thus far. Take a look.

THE KYLE LARSON-CHRISTOPHER BELL SHUNT AT THE BRISTOL DIRT RACE: Hey, remember the announcement Bristol would be covered with dirt and we all said, “OH, well, then Larson or Bell for certain?” I’m no Aaron Rodgers, but I crumpled my betting slips up and hurled them a good 70 yards in a fit of rage.

THE "BIG ONE" ON LAP 14 OF THE DAYTONA 500: This particular "Big One" added insult to injury … and then another insult. This wreck was Don Rickles. See, not only were there many cars damaged, but a lonnnng rain hit right after this happened, which meant A.) The red flag was displayed, which then meant B.) None of the crews could work on their demolished cars. So, yeah, just sit around and watch your crumpled carcass of a race car collect rainwater for six hours, everyone.

RYAN TRUEX AT THE DAYTONA ROAD COURSE: Not only did Truex's hood fly up, but it sort of wrapped around the driver's side and, well, stayed right there blocking the window, not unlike the giant slab of ribs they place on Fred Flintstone’s car in the intro for “The Flintstones.” I don’t even know if Truex is old enough to get that reference.

OUR MOST ENDURING BROMANCE TESTED: Ryan Blaney and Chase Elliott on the final lap of the Busch Clash will forever go down in infamy. Always be wary when your best friend tells you, “Hey, let’s get together and I’ll take you out.” It’s not what it sounds like.

ARIC ALMIROLA’S ENTIRE SEASON UP UNTIL NEW HAMPSHIRE: We were thrilled to see Almirola’s courageous victory a couple of races ago because up until that point, his season was becoming, like, end-of-“Toy Story 3” depressing. But never count out Almirola.

AUSTIN CINDRIC AT MID-OHIO: His day was going well up until this bizarre, chain-reaction wreck that sent him spinning into the grass. Some days you’re the windshield, other days you’re the bug who was hit by another bug that was hit first by the windshield.

ALEX BOWMAN’S BAD LUCK: That’s right – the misfortune that plagued Bowman’s career is having a terrible, terrible season. Bowman has won three times and is a serious championship contender. Not only that, but his win at Pocono was the result of someone else having bad luck. Well, well, well. How the turn tables.

TIM VIENS AT DAYTONA: Hey, you’re gonna need that. Poor Viens' qualifying attempt was scuttled when his drive shaft decided to abandon ship while being pushed out onto the grid. That’s just cruel. What’s even more cruel is what you see is as fast as the truck went that day.

KYLE BUSCH AT NEW HAMPSHIRE: BOY, there’s a lot that went wrong for Busch that day. We’ll just leave it at that but also point out that he did get to leave for the Olympic-break vacation about four hours before all the other drivers, and based on the Instagram story, he had a great, great time.

KYLE LARSON AT POCONO: It seems counterintuitive to award the No. 1 spot to the fellow who has won five times this season, but we’re going to do just that because oh my lord. With the checkered flag in sight, Larson’s right-front tire decides to clock out early handing his teammate, Alex Bowman, the win. Crazy. But don’t feel too bad for Larson because again, five wins. OH and $1 million.