Texas

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Report

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Race 27 of 33 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series

Location: Texas Motor Speedway

Format: 200 Laps - 300 Miles

Nick Sanchez’s Finish: 11th

Welcome, N.C. - ARCA Menards Series driver, Nick Sanchez, made his second start for Big Machine Racing this weekend in Texas for the Andy’s Frozen Custard 300. Sanchez made his debut with the team in Bristol last weekend, with a 29th place finish. Nick learned a lot under the lights of Bristol and brought what he took away to Texas.

Saturday morning played host to practice and qualifying before the race, later that afternoon. During practice, Sanchez made contact with the wall exiting turn-2, causing a little damage to the right-front. After bringing the car back to pit road, the team went to work with repairs. Nick was able to return to practice, where he ran 16th fastest after completing just 15 laps.

The No. 48 Big Machine Vodka Spiked Coolers Chevrolet was 17th in line to qualify, posting a lap time of 29.831s - securing a 20th place starting position for the race.

Nearly 2 hours, and 40 minutes of racing consisted of 9 cautions, for 52 laps. Navigating his way through the carnage, Sanchez managed to avoid being involved in any of the wrecks that took place. Nick could be heard on the radio, telling Crew Chief Patrick Donahue, that the No. 48 Chevrolet was “free on entry and tight on center, exit.” The team continued to make adjustments on the car to accommodate the changing track conditions as the race continued.

Sanchez battled his way through the field of cars and could be seen running as high as 3rd place at one point. During the final stage of the race, preparing for a restart, the No. 48 Chevrolet was penalized and sent to the rear as a result of running over the “choose box”, just past the start/finish line. Nick, once again, worked his way up and finished the day with an 11th place finish.

Results:
Practice: 16th
Qualifying: 20th
Stage 1: 11th
Stage 2: 15th
Final: 11th