To say that Nick Sanchez was frustrated would be an understatement. The Rev Racing driver was forced to settle for a disappointing P22 finish at Talladega Superspeedway at an action-packed 2024 Love’s RV Stop 225. The ‘Big One’ lived up to its name, as the 23-year-old was involved in multiple wrecks, despite driving out to the front twice. Sanchez’s No. 2 Chevy showed lightning-quick speed on the 2.66-mile oval, making passes with ease on the racetrack.

So what went wrong? As it turns out, everything. The Florida native was subjected to a questionable decision by NASCAR, which severely affected his overall result. With two races remaining before the championship race at Phoenix, the stakes are higher than ever with silverware on the line. Given the circumstances, can Sanchez be blamed for his reaction?

Nick Sanchez pays a heavy price for NASCAR’s decision

Missed opportunity. That’s what Nick Sanchez will consider the race at Talladega Superspeedway to be, after being forced to settle for the worst result of his season so far. With two top-five finishes in the last three races, momentum was on his side going into the opening Round of 8 race, and expectations were high on a track where he finished in seventh place last year. However, lady luck was simply not on his side as Sanchez endured one setback after another at the Love’s RV Stop 225.

Visibly frustrated in the post-race interview, Sanchez told Frontstretch’s Bryan Nolen, “There was some miscommunication between the officials on pit road and the officials up top. Yeah, I came back down again and they okayed it. I’m just by myself at Talladega doing laps by myself with nine to go. So yeah, that kind of scr*wed the end of my day. If I would have been able to race on that last restart, I probably would have 10-15 spots but yeah. I’m just not really happy about, you know, whatever they have going on around here. Cost me valuable points for my championship when they okayed it.”

Late in the race, Sanchez was coming off the pit road under caution when he was surprisingly told to go back down, just when the race was having its final restart. According to NASCAR officials, there needed to be an inspection of the spoiler on his No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado, after which he was allowed to go on and continue the race. However, the miscommunication between officials on the pit road and in the tower cost him valuable track positions and eventually a disappointing finish.

Even before NASCAR’s questionable call, Nick Sanchez was having a rough race at Talladega Superspeedway. He was involved in the first wreck of the day after being bumped by Connor Zilisch’s No. 7 Chevy while leading the outside line towards the end of Stage 2. Both drivers were forced to go into the pits for repairs, costing Sanchez grid positions.

The 2022 ARCA champion has what it takes to make it to Championship 4, having already secured wins at Daytona and Charlotte earlier this season. However, he is 20 points below the elimination cutline as things stand and will hope to get a result at Homestead-Miami or Martinsville to keep his title hopes alive.

Sanchez to move into the Xfinity Series in 2025

Trending

Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Pruett Pens a Heartfelt Message for Husband After His Unwavering Support for His Family

Christopher Bell Becomes the Laughing Stock With New Teammate Rubbing Salt on Old Wounds Out of the Blue

JRM Prodigy & Kelley Earnhardt’s Son Earn Major Backing as Dale Jr.’s Loyal Partners Announce 2025 Return

“It Drives Like a Forklift” – Shane van Gisbergen Controversially Splits the Difference Between NASCAR’s Proud Next Gen and Xfinity Cars

Sprint Car World Loses Toyota Driver Till Next Season as Grueling Injury Forces Pause on 18-Year-Old Sensation’s Career

Despite the disappointing result at Talladega, Nick Sanchez has plenty to look forward to in the future. He has two more races to turn his fortunes around and end his Truck Series career on a high with the trophy. The Florida native will then compete in the Xfinity Series for the 2025 season and will drive the No. 48 Chevy for Big Machine Racing. According to journalist Kelly Crandall, the 23-year-old will be sponsored by Spiked Coolers and Gainsbridge in NASCAR’s second tier.

Sanchez confirmed the news by sharing a picture of himself along with his new colleagues at Big Machine Racing and wrote, “Excited to share that in 2025 I’ll be joining @bigmchnracing driving the No. 48 in Xfinity Series. Thank you to @scottborchetta, @TeamChevy and @GainbridgeSport for this big opportunity. Ready to get to work with @pdonahueracing and the whole BMR team next year!💪”

Nick Sanchez will replace Parker Kligerman behind the wheel of the No. 48 car after the latter decided to step away from full-time racing at the end of the 2024 season. Sanchez is no stranger to the Xfinity Series, having made eight appearances in his career so far but none since 2022.

However, his immediate aim will be to finish his Truck Series career strongly and remain in the hunt for a title at Phoenix Raceway later this year. Wouldn’t that be a good way to end this chapter of his NASCAR career?