Kyle Larson wins Xfinity Series race at Darlington in thrilling last-lap battle: In a fitting end to a true Darlington slugfest, Kyle Larson won Saturday’s Shriners Children’s 200 after bouncing off the wall at the Turn 4 exit and knocking John Hunter Nemechek into the inside SAFER barrier 100 yards short of the finish line.(Read more)(5-13-2023)
In a epic last-lap battle, #10-Kyle Larson won the Shriners Children’s 200 Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway. #10-Larson bumped and banged with #20-John Hunter Nemechek, which resulted in Nemechek spinning off Turn 4 and hitting the inside wall.
#7-Justin Allgaier finished second, equaling his best result of the season. #00-Cole Custer pitted on a late caution and was able to drive to third. #21-Austin Hill and #20-Nemechek, who led a race-high 57 laps rounded out the top five.
In Spire Motorsports’ series debut, #77-Carson Hocevar placed sixth. #8-Josh Berry, #1-Sam Mayer, #26-Kaz Grala and #24-Corey Heim completed the top 10.
#10-Larson won the first stage, while he lost the second stage in a photo finish to #20-Nemechek — his fifth stage victory of the season.
There were 18 lead changes among nine drivers and 10 cautions for 51 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was 91.924 mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Darlington Paint Schemes
Race Fast Facts – Darlington:
Kyle Larson(i) won the Shriners Children’s 200, his 14th victory in 112 Xfinity Series races.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in 2023.
This is his first victory and sixth top-10 finish in six races at Darlington Raceway.
Justin Allgaier (second) posted his 12th top-10 finish in 16 races at Darlington Raceway. It is his
seventh top-10 finish in 2023.
Cole Custer (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in four races at Darlington Raceway.
Sammy Smith (11th) was the highest finishing rookie.
John Hunter Nemechek leads the point standings by 1 points over Austin Hill.
Xfinity Series Playoff Standings after Darlington (Race 11 of 33):
1)#21-Austin Hill (3 wins)
2)#20-John Hunter Nemechek (2 wins, regular season championship leader)
3)#16-Chandler Smith (1 win)
4)#18-Sammy Smith (1 win)
5)#27-Jeb Burton (1 win)
6)#7-Justin Allgaier 371, +97
7)#8-Josh Berry 367, +93
8)#00-Cole Custer 365, +91
9)#2-Sheldon Creed 330, +56
10)#98-Riley Herbst 313, +39
11)#1-Sam Mayer 309, +35
12)#11-Daniel Hemric 307, +33
Currently below playoff cutline
13)#48-Parker Kligerman 274, -33
14)#9-Brandon Jones 264, -43
15)#39-Ryan Sieg 244, -63
16)#25-Brett Moffitt 234, -73
See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings.
Cars to the rear: #6-Brennan Poole (backup car); #02-Blaine Perkins, #26-Kaz Grala, #27-Jeb Burton, #38-Joe Graf Jr. and #44-Sage Karam (all unapproved adjustments).
Pit Stall Selections
At a speed of 166.062 mph, #20-John Hunter Nemechek won the pole for Saturday’s Shiners Children’s 200 Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway. It’s the second pole of Nemechek’s career — and the first since his part-time season with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2018.
Dover winner #19-Ryan Truex will start second (165.275 mph), making it an all Joe Gibbs Racing front row. #10-Kyle Larson will lineup third (165.081 mph) in his first start for Kaulig Racing. #1-Sam Mayer is the lead JR Motorsports driver in fourth (164.749 mph) and former Darlington winner #00-Cole Custer took fifth (164.578 mph).
#16-Chandler Smith, #2-Sheldon Creed, #31-Parker Retzlaff, #18-Sammy Smith and #21-Austin Hill round out the top 10.
Did Not Qualify: #4-Garrett Smithley, #66-Chad Finchum, #74-Dawson Cram.
See the complete Darlington Starting Lineup.
Qualifying Fast Facts – Darlington
John Hunter Nemechek won the Pole Award for the Shriners Children’s 200 with a lap of 29.613
seconds, 166.062 mph.
This is his second pole in 78 NASCAR Xfinity Series races.
This is his first pole and 10th top-10 start in 2023.
This is his first pole in four races at Darlington Raceway.
Ryan Truex (second) posted his second top-10 start of 2023 and his first in four races at Darlington
Raceway.
Kyle Larson(i) (third) posted his fourth top-10 start at Darlington Raceway. It is his first in one race this season.
Chandler Smith (sixth) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
Practice for the Shriners Children’s 200 Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway is complete. After 20 minutes, the top five, slowest, news and notes:
#19-Ryan Truex 164.611 mph
#20-John Hunter Nemechek 163.587 mph
#7-Justin Allgaier 163.141 mph
#2-Sheldon Creed 162.576 mph
#21-Austin Hill 161.774 mph
Slowest: #08-Gray Gaulding 152.234 mph
Most laps run: #2-Creed, 36
See full Darlington Practice Results.
Qualifying Order
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
There are 41 cars on the entry list for Saturday’s Shriners Children’s 200 Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway. Three drivers/teams will miss the race.
Notables: #02-Blaine Perkins, #3-Ty Dillon, #07-Stefan Parsons, #10-Kyle Larson, #19-Ryan Truex, #24-Corey Heim, #35-Patrick Emerling, #44-Sage Karam, #45-Jeffrey Earnhardt, #53-Matt Mills, #66-Chad Finchum, #74-Dawson Cram, #77-Carson Hocevar, #91-Ross Chastain.
See the full entry list on the Darlington Entry List.
TandemDraft Stats — Darlington Xfinity
Darlington At-Track Schedule
Announced Throwback Schemes