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Sammy Smith Declared Winner At Rockingham Speedway After Jesse Love Fails Post-Race Tech Inspection

by Hunter Thomas April 19, 2025 1 comment

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Sammy Smith was declared the winner of the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire on Saturday after Jesse Love failed post-race inspection at Rockingham Speedway.

Love, who moved Smith out of the way on a NASCAR Overtime restart crossed the finish line first, but his Richard Childress Racing No. 2 Whelen Chevrolet failed post-race inspection due to an issue with the rear suspension; therefore, stripping the 20-year-old of his second win of the season and handing it to JR Motorsports’ Smith who will now celebrate his first of 2025.

Saturday’s race marked the first time since 2004 the NASCAR Xfinity Series visited The Rock, and this year’s edition featured a record number of caution laps and a thrilling finish.

The entire race took a turn on a late restart with eight laps to go, when Christian Eckes, who restarted fourth, ran out of gas, and the field piled in behind him. On the following restart, Smith prevailed, and in NASCAR Overtime restart, Love, from third, moved Smith up the track in Turn 1 to regain the lead and set sail to cross the finish line first. With Love being disqualified, Smith captures a win, as well as the final $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus, which he was originally awarded prior to the results adjustment.

Parker Retzlaff finished second, earning his first top-five finish of the season and only the fourth of his career. Harrison Burton, Brennan Poole and Taylor Gray rounded out the top-five. Completing the top-10 were Austin Hill, Josh Williams, Jeb Burton, Daniel Dye and Jeremy Clements.

Big Machine Racing’s Nick Sanchez won Stage 1, and Sam Hunt Racing’s Dean Thompson won Stage 2.

There were 17 lead changes among eight drivers. Ryan Sieg, who was caught up in the big crash on the restart led a race high of 77 laps.

The caution flew 14 times for 83 laps.

Justin Allgaier continues to lead the standings.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series will visit Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, April 26 for the Ag-Pro 300. Live coverage will broadcast on the CW at 4 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: Hunter Thomas/TheFourthTurn.com