Crossword Genius

Crashed early in the race (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

relay

'race' is the definition.
(relay race)

'crashed early' is the wordplay.
'crashed' is an anagram indicator.
'early' is an anagram of 'RELAY'.

'in the' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for relay that I've seen before include "Broadcast" , "supplementary store of anything" , "Pass on - put down again" , "Receive and pass on - race" , "track event" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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