Stunning restart pileup collects ten NASCAR Xfinity cars after weather delay

After almost 90 minutes of waiting due to lightning in the area, the NASCAR Xfinity race finally got underway with five laps left in the first stage.

Unfortunately, that lengthy delay made some drivers antsy and they didn’t make it half-a-lap into the restart before a massive crash broke out. 

Jesse Love tried to make an aggressive move to the outside in an attempt to shuffle out Sam Mayer and take the race lead. However, Mayer quickly defended the position and Love tried to get back in line, but Nick Sanchez was already there.

Love went spinning in the middle of the pack, igniting a massive crash that damaged at least ten cars. Along with Love, the following drivers were also involved: Ryan Sieg, Sammy Smith, Sheldon Creed, Justin Allgaier, Katherine Legge, Jeb Burton, Christian Eckes, Anthony Alfredo, Patrick Staropoli.

Of those involved in the wreck, six were unable to continue, but all were checked and released from the infield care center. Surprisingly, Love remained on the lead lap and competitive in his wounded No. 2 RCR Chevrolet.

Creed, who started the race from pole position, had dominated the event until the red flag for weather. He was going to be leading when the race resumed, but chose to pit early. That decision put him deep in the pack and ultimately ended his night as he got swept up in the melee. 

“Just frustrated,” said Creed after being released from the infield care center. “I feel like I’ve lost count on how many times we’ve been crashed this year … felt like we had a car capable of winning tonight … they started crashing down the backstretch and I checked up, thought I missed it completely — I was just trying to creep through there, and the #8 [Smith], I don’t know if he didn’t have brakes or just decided not to lock it down, but it just got me and I guess I wasn’t heads up enough to be watching him. Just bummed for my team.”

Taylor Gray went on to win the stage under caution.