The inaugural weekend of NASCAR on TNT and the Atlanta race lived up to the hype. It was an exhilarating weekend, featuring action from Lime Rock Park as well. While the racing at EchoPark Speedway was slightly more thrilling than at Lime Rock, fans enjoyed a full racing schedule condensed into just two days.
Friday night belonged to the Xfinity Series on The CW, paving the way for a Saturday tripleheader featuring the Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and Cup Series back-to-back! Viewers experienced a marathon of racing across FOX, FS2, and TNT.
Let’s delve into the NASCAR weekend highlights from Atlanta and Lime Rock Park, before looking ahead to the upcoming street race in Chicago.
Weather Disruptions at Atlanta
No NASCAR weekend is complete without weather challenges. On Friday, lightning caused interruptions, necessitating adjustments to the qualifying rounds for the Xfinity and Cup Series, reducing them to a single round. The Xfinity Series race saw delays of over an hour due to lightning incidences.
Connor Zilisch Intervenes During Broadcast Delay
Jesse Love Causes Major Incident in Xfinity Race
Unfortunately for Jesse Love, his moment of humor was short-lived. Following the delay, he spun in front of the field upon the race resuming, sparking a significant wreck that impacted numerous vehicles. Despite battling with a damaged car, Love managed to finish in sixth position, while Zilisch came in fourth.
Nick Sanchez Secures His First Xfinity Win
The Atlanta track posed challenges for many Xfinity drivers, with multiple spins and collisions. Nick Sanchez, though not the most dominant on track, strategically positioned himself and made a crucial move to overtake Aric Almirola at the finish line, securing his first career victory.
Corey Heim Prevails in Truck Series at Lime Rock Park
In the Truck Series at Lime Rock, Corey Heim showcased his dominance, staying uncontested even as other competitors faced challenges on restart. Notably, IMSA star Jordan Taylor couldn’t catch up, as Heim led every lap and celebrated his fifth victory of the season.
Thomas Annunziata Wins ARCA in Thrilling Finish
The ARCA Menards Series followed the Truck race, offering excitement filled with chaos. Despite an early spin, Thomas Annunziata emerged victorious, marking his first career win, and solidifying his status as a young prospect to watch.
Major Wreck Shakes Up NASCAR Brackets
Back at Atlanta for the Cup Series, another weather delay struck. As racing resumed in Stage 2, a critical incident unfolded when 23 cars were caught in a massive wreck initiated by Denny Hamlin, shattering many predictions for the NASCAR In-Season Tournament Challenge.
Chase Briscoe’s Team Halted During Repairs
Chase Briscoe’s car was also involved in the wreck. After a lengthy repair attempt, NASCAR officials instructed his team to cease work, citing severe damage that deemed the car unable to compete further, much to Briscoe’s frustration.
Chase Elliott Clinches Win with Final-Lap Pass
Chase Elliott finally grabbed a win after a 44-race drought, overcoming the challenge in front of his home crowd with a special car design. His remarkable last-lap pass not only marked his first victory of the season but also his 20th career win, sparking discussions about his potential comeback as a championship contender.
