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NASCAR Xfinity Series race causes grass fire at Portland, safety crew gets involved under green flag

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 11:30 PM ET

A little bit of a situation is developing at Portland International Raceway with the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on the track. A small grass fire has started in a portion of the track, and that has led safety team members to have to get involved.

NASCAR wants to avoid a caution in this Xfinity Series race if they can manage it. This grass fire could have become a serious issue. It actually burned up a rather large portion of grass just off the side of the track.

Instead of throwing the caution and interrupting the great racing we have seen throughout the field, NASCAR had safety crew members improvise. It turns out, you can put out a small fire through the catchfence.

Thomas Annunziata caused the flames after taking a ride through the dirt and grass. It took a while for the safety crew to get it doused and put out.

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Portland’s weather has been fairly dry lately. Combine that with how much these Xfinity Series drivers hit the dirt and grass during the race and this was perhaps expected. Grass fires are rare but not unheard of in road course racing. It happens when you mix heat and dry grass.

The safety crew was able to get everything handled without throwing a caution. That’s a win for NASCAR and the track officials. To keep this race going while that fire was happening is impressive and shows the dedication the safety team and officials have to keeping it all running smoothly.

NASCAR Xfinity Series race dominated by Connor Zilisch

Through 64 laps of this 75-lap race, Connor Zilisch has led every single one. The pole-sitter has been absolutely impressive today. Perhaps his most dominant performance yet in the Xfinity Series. The modified pit stops have definitely helped it look like it.

With non-competitive pit stops in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this weekend, Zilisch has not had to relinquish the lead since the start of the race. No flipping stages or anything like that today. He’s had moments where he’s been ahead by 16 seconds.

Zilisch is likely going to take the regular season championship lead today. Him and Justin Allgaier are going to push their lead over Sam Mayer out more. Then it will be a two-driver battle at Gateway. That race is going to be cutthroat and will truly show how much Zilisch has grown as a driver if he is able to pull off a great finish.

Things have been going very well for Connor Zilisch. A few more laps until he finishes the job.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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