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Motorsport

NASCAR resumes Atlanta Xfinity race after 80 minute lightning delay

NASCAR Atlanta Sheldon Creed Xfinity Series Austin Hill Christian Eckes EchoPark Speedway

NASCAR had to wait over an hour due to lightning in the area before they were able tor resume Friday night's Xfinity Series race at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta). The track remained dry, but the nearby lightning made it unsafe for the fans and competitors to continue with the event.

However, after red-flagging the race at 9:02pm EST, cars rolled back out on track at 10:25pm EST to continue the race.

Here's a brief rundown of the event before the lengthy stoppage:

Sheldon Creed led the NASCAR Xfinity Series field to the green flag at Atlanta in a race that started later than scheduled due to lightning in the area. But once the race got underway, it didn't take long for the first incident of the night.

Within the first five laps, the caution flag was out as Blaine Perkins spun around following contact from Christian Eckes. Parker Retzlaff, William Sawalich, and Josh Williams were all collected as well and sustained noticeable damage.

Multi-car crash (Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images)

The race resumed a few laps later with Creed still in control. Austin Hill, who has won five of the last six races, was the clear favorite entering the race. However, the No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet abruptly fell through the pack. He reported a fuel pressure issue and was eventually forced onto pit road under green-flag conditions.

While Hill fell multiple laps down, NASCAR threw the caution on Lap 34 of the 45-lap opening stage. The reason was inclement weather and due to a lightning strike within eight miles of the track, they were forced to halt the race.

The field rolled down pit road and the race was red-flagged with Creed still in command. Connor Zilisch, who earned his first oval win one week ago at Pocono, was in second. Sam Mayer, Jesse Love, and Taylor Gray rounded out the top five. Ryan Sieg, Aric Almirola, Nick Sanchez, Justin Allgaier, and Leland Honeyman filled out the remainder of the top ten.

While the field split on strategy once the race went back to yellow-flag conditions, some chose to stay out for a five-lap sprint to the end of the stage. Unfortunately, a massive wreck immediately ensued, taking out several cars.

Photos from Atlanta II - Race

CJ McLaughlin, DGM Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Austin Hill, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Aric Almirola, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 Atlanta II

Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing

2025 Atlanta II

Blaine Perkins, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Leland Honeyman, Cope Family Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Katherine Legge, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Brennan Poole, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Garrett Smithley, SS Greenlight Racing

2025 Atlanta II

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Brandon Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 Atlanta II

Anothony Alfredo, Young's Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Taylor Gray, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 Atlanta II

Josh Bilicki, DGM Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Harrison Burton, AM Racing Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Brennan Poole, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Kyle Sieg, RSS Racing Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Aric Almirola, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 Atlanta II

Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Austin Hill, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Race start

2025 Atlanta II

Multi-car crash

2025 Atlanta II

Josh Williams, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Parker Retzlaff, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Track cleaning

2025 Atlanta II

Parker Retzlaff, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet, William Sawalich, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Josh Williams, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Parker Retzlaff, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Greg Van Alst, Joey Gase Motorsports Chevrolet, Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing

2025 Atlanta II

Nick Leitz, SS Greenlight Racing Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Aric Almirola, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 Atlanta II

Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing

2025 Atlanta II

Parker Retzlaff, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet, Blaine Perkins, Jordan Anderson Racing Chevrolet, William Sawalich, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Josh Williams, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

CJ McLaughlin, DGM Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing

2025 Atlanta II

Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, Daniel Dye, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, Matt DiBenedetto, Viking Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Jesse Love, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Anothony Alfredo, Young's Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Chevrolet, Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

NASCAR XFINITY

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Nick DeGroot

NASCAR XFINITY

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