The first wreck of the day! Nick Sanchez goes around after an ill-timed bump from Connor Zilisch to end Stage 2 at Talladega. Both Sanchez and Zilisch had to go to pit road for repairs, but they aren’t out of it yet. NASCAR at Talladega can get unpredictable.

Nick Sanchez was the big winner at Daytona to start the year. He was leading the outside line at Talladega late in Stage 2 when he got a bump from the No. 7 truck.

The field was lapping Tanner Gray in the No. 17 and as the field fanned out around him, they couldn’t keep it together. Christian Eckes may have encouraged Zilisch to push a little harder than he wanted to, but the result was the same.

Ben Rhodes and Chase Purdy end up taking the worst of it all.

If this ends up being a bigger issue than it appears to be, then it gets complicated. There were playoff drivers involved. At least, it jumbled up the front of the field as the end of the stage approached.

Only three playoff drivers earned points in Stage 2. However, there will be a lot of cautions coming up. This Truck Series race is only getting started, folks.

When the 17 truck was being lapped, there was too much jostling going on. The lines got out of order and then when the push came, it was too much of a push. There was too much distance and power in that shove and it cost Nick Sanchez. At least temporarily.

Nick Sanchez can still win at Talladega

To start the season, Nick Sanchez walked away with his first career win at Daytona. Even with the damage from the Connor Zilisch bump, there is enough time. He is not a lap down, his truck seems to be fine. Let’s see what he can do.

Being patient will be key. No one wins Talladega with 30 laps to go. You win the race on the final lap, many times on the final turn or after the tri-oval. Patience is always key but especially when driving from the back.

Sanchez should not feel too bad. Daniel Dye and Layne Riggs have both driven through the field. Those two started the race in the rear of the field. They are now up in the front with 34 laps to go and battling for the lead.

Earlier this season, Nick Sanchez showed that he had what it took to get the job done at Daytona. He is ready to show that he is built for the job this time around at Talladega, damage or not.

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