NASCAR Martinsville 2014: Big crash ensnares Brad Keselowski, Kasey Kahne, Danica Patrick

A slowing Brad Keselowski triggered a pileup in the final laps of Sunday’s NASCAR at Martinsville Speedway.

Keselowski slowed exiting Turn 4 with a mechanical failure when Casey Mears violently rear-ended him. In the aftermath, Mears was slammed by Kasey Kahne. The cars of Mears and Kahne sustained considerable damage. Also collected were Danica Patrick and Carl Edwards, among others.

As officials cleared the track of debris, the Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 was placed under the red flag for nearly 15 minutes. All drivers involved escaped injury.

Martinsville is the first race of the Eliminator Round, a three-race bracket leading to the championship race Nov. 16 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Keselowski and Edwards are among the eight drivers still in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Edwards was able to continue with minimal damage, while Keselowski went to the garage for repairs. Keselowski will likely need to win one of the next two races to avoid elimination.