JOLIET, Ill. – After a relatively calm first half, the start of Stage 3 trigged the first multi-car accident during Saturday afternoon’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race eliminating Jeb Burton, Tyler Reddick and Ryan Reed from competition in the Overton’s 300.
The Lap 99 incident was trigged in Turn 3 when Reed was battling for position with Burton and Jeremy Clements in a three-wide situation. Likely not knowing that he was in a three-wide scenario, Burton appeared to come down on Reed sending both drivers into the wall with Reddick piling in from behind with nowhere to go.
The accident was a huge detrainment for Reddick who led laps early in the race and won Stage 1.
From there, however, Reddick’s day went downhill. A slow pit stop at the end of the opening stage and speeding at the exit of pit road at the end of Stage 2 put the Daytona Xfinity in a precarious situation for the final Stage. Restarting 23rd, he quickly learned how the mistake ultimately ended his day.
After being evaluated and released from the infield care center, Reddick took responsibility for putting his JR Motorsports in a tough situation.
“Just got caught up in a mess that we really didn’t need to be in, that’s on me,” said Reddick. “We’ve been really aggressive on pit road and its gained us spots all year long. These last couple of races I’ve just been pushing it a little too far it seems, and it’s been putting us in bad spots.
“On a positive note, Really excited, really happy to have Takl came on the car for this race, Daytona and they will be on the car at Iowa as well. They have a lot of cool stuff. They kinda do a little bit of everything. (I would) love to have them on the car for some more races this year.
“Just really disappointed that our night ended at the care center for us.”
For Burton, Chicagoland ends a three-race opportunity with Richard Childress Racing this season. After finishing 12th in both races at Richmond (Va.) Raceway and Dover International Speedway respectively, Burton finished 34th on Saturday.
Without sponsorship, Burton may not race anymore this season.
“I hate that we tore up a racecar,” said Burton. “Really gotta thank Estes and State Water Heaters for helping me and everybody involved in my program. Don’t have many opportunities and hate to tear up a racecar.
“Just ran out of real estate right there. I probably shouldn’t have came as far down the hill as I did – the No. 16 could have lift. We could have done some things a little different there. That’s racing.
“We’ll keep working and hopefully we can get back here soon.”
Reed’s Roush Fenway Racing team was able to make repairs to his No. 16 Drive Down A1C Lilly Diabetes Ford – but on the same lap as the two-time Xfinity winner made minimum speed to take him off the damaged vehicle policy, he appeared to have blown a tire and hit the Turn 2 wall.
Reed went to the garage and never returned, finishing 32nd.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
