Nick Sanchez finished in eighth place at Kansas Speedway, but it wasn't enough to put him in a transfer spot before the Round of 12 finale. On Saturday evening, Sanchez earned 29 points at Kansas, the fewest of any driver who finished in the top 10 spots. Now, the Big Machine Racing competitor sits five points below the playoff cut-line.
Sanchez has impressed in his rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but everything will be on the line at the Charlotte ROVAL. In 2024, Parker Kligerman nearly brought the No. 48 car to victory lane in the Round of 12 finale at the Charlotte ROVAL, so Big Machine Racing knows the speed is there for Sanchez next weekend.
With several drivers capable of winning a road course around the playoff cut-line, Sanchez faces a possible Round of 12 elimination. The No. 48 team has shown it can win at the Charlotte ROVAL next Saturday, and if Sanchez wants a spot in the Round of 8, he will need to have race-winning speed.
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: Nick Sanchez faces possible Round of 12 elimination at Charlotte ROVAL
Reporting by Austin Konenski, Motorsports Wire / Motorsports Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect