Homestead-Miami NXS

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Report

Saturday, October 22, 2022
Race 31 of 33 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Location: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Format: 200 laps - 300 miles
Nick Sanchez’s Finish: 25th

Nick Sanchez, the Miami native, returned to the track where it all began. Nick began his racing career in a go-kart in the parking lot of the Homestead-Miami Speedway at the age of 12. Returning at the age of 21, but this time, on the track… In what was originally scheduled to be his fourth and final race with the team (now racing the remainder of 2022), Nick Sanchez began the weekend with an impressive qualifying run, securing an 11th place starting position for Saturday’s Contender Boats 300.

In true Florida fashion, rain made a quick appearance just before the start of practice. NASCAR went to work keeping the track dry and after a brief delay, the green flag was in the air and practice was underway. Because of the weather delay, the practice session was shortened to just 10 minutes. Nick ended practice 24th fastest in the Big Machine Vodka SPIKED Coolers Chevrolet and stated that he never felt he had a clean lap running the bottom from the rain soaked paint. He went on to say he was struggling to find grip.

Race day was met with beautiful South Florida weather. Nick Sanchez rolled out p11 for the start of the Contender Boats 300. By the end of Stage 1, Sanchez was working from p15, stating that the No. 48 Chevrolet was a little free. The day was plagued by issues on pit road with the setting sun making it hard to see. Nick missed his pit stall twice during the stage break - having to pit a third time. By the third attempt, pit road was closed, resulting in a penalty and Nick having to start at the rear of the field.

It only took 20 laps for Nick to break back into the top-20, but could be heard on the radio saying that his brakes were not what they were. Nick went on to finish the 2nd Stage p16. After a quick stop and some adjustments to tighten the car up, Nick found his speed in the final stage; His lap times were consistent with that of the leader. It was with just 14 laps remaining in the race, Sanchez made contact with the wall but was able to keep the car out of traffic and bring it to pit road. It was while Nick was entering pit road that the right front caught fire. Track safety crews were able to extinguish the flame so the crew could put on 4 new tires and send him back out. Not on the lead lap, it was Nick’s mission to finish the race even though he didn’t have brakes. Nick was able to limp the car along for the remaining 5 laps and end the day with a p25 finish.

Results:
Practice - 24th
Qualifying - 11th
Stage 1- 17th
Stage2 - 16th
Final: 25th