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Shocking 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.

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

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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

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Brennan Poole, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

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Garrett Smithley, SS Greenlight Racing

2025 Atlanta II

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

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Brandon Jones, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

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Anothony Alfredo, Young's Motorsports Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sam Mayer, Haas Factory Team Ford

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Connor Zilisch, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

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Taylor Gray, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

2025 Atlanta II

Josh Bilicki, DGM Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Harrison Burton, AM Racing Ford

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Brennan Poole, Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet

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Carson Kapvil, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

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Kyle Sieg, RSS Racing Ford

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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

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Multi-car crash

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

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Track cleaning

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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

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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

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

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CJ McLaughlin, DGM Racing Chevrolet

2025 Atlanta II

Sheldon Creed, Haas Factory Team Ford

2025 Atlanta II

Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing

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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
50
In this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR XFINITY
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