On Saturday, April 19, 2025, NASCARs Xfinity Series returned to the historic Rockingham Speedway for the first time in over two decades. The thrilling race was packed with drama, including a dramatic overtime finish, a lastlap pass, and a postrace controversy that ultimately shifted the outcome. Jesse Love initially appeared to claim victory in a hardfought battle, but his car was disqualified in postrace inspection, handing the win to Sammy Smith.
A Dramatic Overtime Finish
The race, officially known as the North Carolina Education Lottery 250, was anything but predictable. After 256 laps of intense action, the event was set to conclude under caution. However, NASCAR officials decided to restart the race for an overtime finish, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion. Jesse Love, who had been leading most of the race, had to hold off fierce competition from Sammy Smith on the restart.
As the green flag waved for overtime, Love, starting third, executed a perfect restart, moving past both Sammy Smith and Parker Retzlaff to take the lead. With fuel and tire management playing a crucial role late in the race, Loves strategy appeared to have paid off, as he stretched his fuel longer than many of his competitors. Love crossed the finish line first after a hardfought final stretch, marking his second win of the 2025 season and his third career Xfinity victory.
The PostRace Drama
However, just hours after the race concluded, the mood shifted dramatically. Loves car failed the mandatory postrace inspection, a significant violation related to the rear suspension of his car. NASCAR officials found that the rear suspension did not meet the required specifications, specifically a rule concerning the mating surfaces between the truck trailing arm and the Ubolt saddle. This violation was serious enough to disqualify Love and strip him of his firstplace finish.
As a result, Sammy Smith, who had been passed by Love on the restart, was declared the official winner of the race. This marked Smiths first win of the season and his third career Xfinity victory. Despite losing the race under such dramatic circumstances, Loves performance on the track did not go unnoticed. He had led 53 laps and showed considerable skill in managing his car through difficult conditions.
Other Standout Performances
While Smiths victory was the main storyline, there were several notable performances throughout the race. Parker Retzlaff, who had suffered a flat tire about 100 laps from the finish, recovered remarkably to finish in second place, marking his bestever finish in the Xfinity Series. Harrison Burton, another strong contender throughout the day, ended up in third place, followed by Brennan Poole in fourth.
Kasey Kahne, a former NASCAR Cup Series driver making his first Xfinity start since 2018, had a challenging race. After being involved in two separate incidents, he finished 15th. The race was full of incidents, with 14 cautions and two red flags, a testament to the unpredictable nature of Rockingham Speedway.
The Big Picture
Despite the controversy surrounding Loves disqualification, the return of the Xfinity Series to Rockingham was a resounding success. The historic track, which had been dormant for years, provided a thrilling backdrop for the race and rekindled memories of NASCARs past. The sellout crowd at the track was treated to a show filled with excitement, strategy, and plenty of drama. Fans and drivers alike were glad to see Rockingham return to the schedule, and it seems likely that the track will remain a fixture in future seasons.
For Sammy Smith, the win is a major boost to his season and his career, while the disqualification of Jesse Love raises questions about car setups and the importance of adhering to technical regulations in NASCAR. As the Xfinity Series moves forward, all eyes will be on the next race at Talladega Superspeedway, where the stakes are sure to be just as high.