NASCAR
NASCAR Xfinity Series Fans Respond To Jesse Love’s DQ, Sammy Smith Claiming North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire At Rockingham Speedway
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Published19 Apr 2025
The second red flag period during the final 13 laps Saturday allowed NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers and fans a few extra moments to analyze what was about to transpire in overtime at Rockingham Speedway.
Sammy Smith and Taylor Gray lined up along the front row three weeks after their much-publicized Martinsville Speedway incident. Creating controversy, Smith sped up and took out Gray from behind off a restart. The old friends had words in the infield after the race and many anticipated an intense finish during NASCAR’s return to “The Rock.”
As the drivers launched, Jesse Love appeared to spoil the moment by crafting a slick move to Smith on the inside and appear to earn the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire title. His third career trip to Victory Lane, however, was wiped away during post-race inspection.
Race officials deemed Love’s No. 2 Chevrolet violated rule 14.14.2.1-5.H, which covers the mating surfaces between the truck trailing arm and U-bolt saddle. They were not in complete .
X (Twitter) s responded to Love neglecting to put on the parking brakes before claiming the checkered flag right after the race …
No, that's not good, @jesselovejr1. 😂 pic.twitter.com/qyTOz2cTal
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 19, 2025
On the opening card, ARCA Menards Series East driver Brent Crews dominated the ARCA 125. It was his first East circuit win and fourth ARCA platform triumph …
Domination from Brent Crews as he leads all 125 laps of today’s @ARCA_Racing East event!
That #81 Toyota was blazing fast, he had quite the racecar today!@BrentCrews11 pic.twitter.com/5pO72mlnTL— Ralph Greene (@Ralph_Greene945) April 19, 2025
After 21 years, the Xfinity Series went green at “The Rock” …
The green is out and we are underway at @Rockingham1965! pic.twitter.com/grJwiqr2gI
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 19, 2025
Katherine Legge, the lone female competing on the Cup and Xfinity circuits, nearly lost out on making her first Xfinity start this season. After failing to earn a spot in the 38-car field in the No. 32 Chevrolet, she moved over to the No. 53 Chevrolet, replacing JJ Yeley. She finished last …
𝗞𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗚𝗘 involved in a crash with some of the front runners in the Xfinity race#NASCAR #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/drHCaowI20
— Hickey (@Hickey93) April 19, 2025
Legge’s NASCAR National Series education will continue in 2025 …
NEWS: @KatherineLegge will be running another 12 NASCAR National Series events in 2025 — seven in the Xfinity Series and five in the Cup Series.#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/AYrUqmqt5g
— Joseph Srigley (@joe_srigley) April 17, 2025
Ex-Cup veteran Kasey Kahne, in his first NASCAR event since 2017, ran into trouble, but rallied and produced a P15 …
The No. 33 will have to make repairs after the caution on lap 52. pic.twitter.com/KMA28k8lAZ
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 19, 2025
Nick Sanchez’s race ended on Lap 240 and placed 32nd, but he earned the Stage 1 win …
Nick Sanchez takes the first stage at Rockingham.@AlwaysRaceDay pic.twitter.com/krcwGiMi5D
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) April 19, 2025
Dean Thompson’s Stage 2 victory was the first of his career …
It's a first career stage win for @deanthompsonr! pic.twitter.com/FLZmzIzfwT
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 19, 2025
Love tapped Sanchez from the lead …
On the edge of control, battling for the lead at Rockingham. 🔥 #NASCAR
🎥 @NASCAR_Xfinity pic.twitter.com/dsphjuNzJi
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) April 19, 2025
Big late wreck …
Big crash on the restart! pic.twitter.com/LdOwawHI8M
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 19, 2025
Forcing OT …
More damage to the field! 😱 pic.twitter.com/8rAh8g1zAk
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) April 19, 2025
Smith spoke about his victory …
Sammy Smith on his Rockingham victory after Jesse Love was disqualified: pic.twitter.com/zZsI0EIZIZ
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 20, 2025
NASCAR made its long-awaited return to Rockingham, North Carolina. The fans showed up …
Line for autograph session here at Rockingham is long. pic.twitter.com/zfJqinNKGq
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 19, 2025
