Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
As a newcomer in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Nick Sanchez is navigating a challenging start with the No. 48 Big Machine Racing Chevrolet. Across ten races, Sanchez has faced difficulties, experiencing crashes in three events while managing to secure one top-five and two top-ten finishes.
On May 2nd at Texas Motor Speedway, Sanchez will shift gears back to the NASCAR Truck Series—a space where he feels quite at home. He will be driving the No. 07 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, with support from Gainbridge.
Nick Sanchez, Big Machine Racing
Sanchez has previously recorded two victories in the Truck Series and wrapped up the 2024 season in fifth place in the championship standings. Despite a winless 2023 season, he still ended up strong in sixth position. However, a particular race from his rookie season at Texas remains a significant memory, as he has some unresolved issues to address during this upcoming competition.
In 2023, Sanchez achieved pole position for the Truck race at Texas and dominated much of the event, leading nearly every lap of the 172-lap race. He was poised for victory as he maintained control heading into the final moments—until calamity struck during an overtime restart. In a bid for the lead, Sanchez collided with Zane Smith, which inadvertently invited Carson Hocevar to make a risky move. This resulted in Sanchez being pitched into Smith, leading to a dramatic multi-car crash that also involved Christian Eckes.
Hocevar capitalized on the chaos to secure victory, while Sanchez, despite leading an impressive 168 laps, finished 16th due to the incident, recorded as a did not finish (DNF). With another opportunity on the horizon, Sanchez is eager to turn the page on that experience with Spire Motorsports.
Spire Motorsports has been rotating various drivers in the No. 07 truck this season, attracting notable NASCAR Cup stars like Kyle Larson and William Byron. Larson famously drove the No. 07 Chevrolet to victory earlier in the year at Homestead-Miami Speedway, demonstrating the truck’s competitive potential.
Source
www.motorsport.com