Nick Sanchez eyeing Texas redemption, entering Truck race with Spire

Currently competing as a rookie in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Nick Sanchez has his hands full as he gets acclimated with the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet. After ten races, he’s crashed out of three races, but also has one top five and two top tens.

But on May 2nd at Texas Motor Speedway, he will return to a series he is very familiar with. Sanchez will run the NASCAR Truck race at Texas, joining forces with Spire Motorsports in the No. 07 Chevrolet. Gainbridge will back the effort.

Sanchez has two wins in the Truck Series and ended the 2024 season fifth in the championship standings. In 2023, he went winless, but still placed a strong sixth in the standings. However, there is one race from that rookie season that likely weighs heavy on his mind to this very day. And so, he has some unfinished business at this track and with the NASCAR Truck Series.

Sanchez earned pole position for the Truck race at Texas back in 2023. He then showcased a feat of domination rarely seen by a rookie driver. Sanchez led nearly every lap of the 172-lap race and was in control at the white flag after an overtime restart. But his shot at the win ended in spectacular fashion before he could even reach Turn 1.

Sanchez got sideways after getting into the door of Zane Smith while battling for the race lead. Sniffing an opportunity, Carson Hocevar tried to force it up the middle, but hooked Sanchez hard to the right. Sanchez slammed into Smith and crashed dramatically, collecting Christian Eckes as well.

Hocevar won the race and Sanchez recorded a DNF, finishing 16th after leading an astonishing 168 of 172 laps. He’ll have a chance to rectify that with Spire Motorsports in the near-future.

Spire has been utilizing various different drivers in its No. 07 truck this year. Among them are several NASCAR Cup stars, including Kyle Larson and William Byron. Larson actually piloted the No. 07 Chevrolet to victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway earlier this year.