Crossword Genius

Early crash in a race (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

relay

'race' is the definition.
(relay race)

'early crash' is the wordplay.
'crash' is an anagram indicator.
'early' anagrammed gives 'RELAY'.

'in a' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for relay that I've seen before include "track event" , "Broadcast" , "Pass on - put down again" , "Hand, pass on" , "Team of workers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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