Xfinity Series in Las Vegas under red flag after massive wreck in Stage 2

Right as NBC went to Rajah Caruth’s in-car cam, an engine blew right in front of him in the Xfinity Series race in Las Vegas. It felt like this was going to happen at some point or another. Las Vegas can tear up tires and these NASCAR Xfinity races get a little sketchy at times.

The Xfinity Series in Las Vegas was shaping up to be a great race. It still will be. Coming out of Stage 1 and into 2, a blown engine, the second of the day, led to catastrophe. Cars just kept hitting the wall and hitting each other.

Once the engine blew on Kaz Grala’s car, fluids and oil were all over the track. So, these drivers had no choice in the matter. Too much fluid, not enough grip, high speeds – that’s a recipe for disaster.

The race is now under a red flag.

An engine blew right in front of Rajah Caruth.

BIG WRECK. #NASCAR | @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/7Rjp4xMAsx

— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 14, 2023

You can just see the oil on Rajah’s camera almost immediately. Caruth is a promising young star in NASCAR. He has had his fair share of struggles but has also shined in various moments in 2023. He is full-time in the Truck Series with GMS Racing, and part-time in Xfinity with multiple teams.

After this Xfinity Series race, Caruth has a date inside the No. 17 Hendrick Motorsports car. That’s a big deal for him and could be his interview for a future ride in 2024.

Xfinity Series race in Las Vegas shaping up

The Alsco Uniforms 302 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway is fun. These Xfinity cars just race so well and there is a ton of talent at the top of the field. Cole Custer won that first stage but he now has John Hunter Nemechek and Justin Allgaier coming after him, quickly.

Josh Berry won the pole, but he is just not a factor at the moment in this race.

Riley Herbst is also performing well while the Kaulig Racing cars of Daniel Hemric and Chandler Smith will be fighting for top-5 spots today. That big wreck didn’t affect much up front. It did give drivers another restart to try and make moves and advance their position.

Las Vegas gives multiple grooves to race in. However, with the red flag lifting, the speedy dry is still on the track. That stuff can still be slick and it will be interesting to see if that has any further effect on the race today.

The Xfinity Series continues in Las Vegas after that red flag moment. One driver is likely to win their way into the Championship 4 at Phoenix by the time the race ends.