Joey Gase replaces Thomas Annunziata midrace after dehydration issues at Watkins Glen

A wild turn of events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen. Thomas Annunziata got out of the car mid-race. Joey Gase has taken over for the No. 35 team, and the team owner will try to bring it home in one piece.

Thomas Annunziata, a regular in the Trans-Am Series, was racing well for the Joey Gase Motorsports team. However, it came to an early end for the teenager as he battled dehydration issues.

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Annunziata is a promising prospect. However, it appears his big moment will have to wait a little longer. His day at The Glen is over early.

.@tannunziata15 is bringing car to pit road as he is starting to feel dehydrated and under the weather. @JoeyGaseRacing is putting his suit on and will jump in

— Joey Gase Motorsports (@J_G_Motorsports) September 14, 2024

Joey Gase knows what he’s doing. He has been in his fair share of Xfinity Series races. It is a shame that Thomas Annunziata had to leave the car. There were reports that his helmet hose may have been loose or disconnected as well, which can cause trouble.

Annunziata is still young and figuring out stock car racing. He races Trans Ams and came up in the karting system. So, it makes sense that he would give a try on the road course in the Xfinity Series.

Earlier this season, Annunziata made his debut at Sonoma. It was a dive into the deep end for the racer and a wake-up call. Today, he fought hard but couldn’t physically hold up. He is a pretty fit racecar driver, so it’s surprising to see this happen, but it’s not the first time in racing.

Thomas Annunziata out early at Watkins Glen

This race at Watkins Glen has been enthralling. Connor Zilisch racing against Ty Gibbs and Shane van Gisbergen – it’s everything you could want out of an Xfinity Series road course race, frankly.

The Xfinity Series puts on great racing, especially on these road courses. They are so incredibly competitive and intense. Drivers are pushed to the limits in the series, especially with Cup Series talent in the field.

William Byron is another Cup driver in the field. Ross Chastain is racing against this Xfinity Series group again, and so is Joey Logano. Yet these Xfinity drivers are holding their own against that top talent.

Early end to the day for Thomas Annunziata. Unfortunately, we didn’t see what he was capable of in a full race. Hopefully, he can show off that talent in the future.