Chandler Smith grabs first Xfinity Series victory at Richmond: Rookie Chandler Smith earned his first career NASCAR Xfinity Series victory Saturday afternoon at Richmond (Va.) Raceway holding off John Hunter Nemechek on a final race restart with six laps remaining to hoist the ToyotaCare 250 trophy.(Read more)(4-1-2023)
After leading a race-high 83 laps, #16-Chandler Smith went on to win the Xfinity Series Season race at Richmond Raceway. It’s the first win of his career — 10 starts — and second straight for Kaulig Racing.
#20-John Hunter Nemechek overcame a pit strategy call that trapped him a lap down to finish second. #8-Josh Berry scored his best finish of the season in third. #26-Kaz Grala and #00-Cole Custer finished fourth and fifth — each scoring their first top-five finishes of the season.
#2-Sheldon Creed placed sixth, with #39-Ryan Sieg, #48-Parker Kligerman, #21-Austin Hill and #10-Derek Kraus rounding out the top 10.
#16-Smith won his first career stage in the opening stage, while #8-Berry earned his first stage win of the season in Stage 2.
There were 10 lead changes among seven drivers and six cautions for 43 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was 86.884 mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Richmond:
Chandler Smith # won the ToyotaCare 250, his first victory in ten Xfinity Series races.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2023 in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
This is his first victory and first top-10 finish in one race at Richmond Raceway.
John Hunter Nemechek (second) posted his fourth top-10 finish in six races at Richmond Raceway. It is
his sixth top-10 finish in 2023.
Josh Berry (third) posted his third top-10 finish in four races at Richmond Raceway.
Chandler Smith (first) was the highest finishing rookie.
Justin Allgaier won the first race of the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash.
Justin Allgaier, Josh Berry, Chandler Smith and John Hunter Nemechek all qualify for the Xfinity Dash 4 Cash in Martinsville.
Xfinity Series Standings after Richmond (Race 7 of 33):
1)#21-Austin Hill (3 wins, regular season championship leader, 277 points)
2)#20-John Hunter Nemechek (1 win) 259, -18
3)#16-Chandler Smith (1 win) 253, -24
4)#18-Sammy Smith (1 win) 203, -74
5)#98-Riley Herbst 247, -12
6)#8-Josh Berry 234, -43
7)#7-Justin Allgaier 231, -46
8)#2-Sheldon Creed 219, -58
9)#1-Sam Mayer 208, -69
10#00-Cole Custer 196, -81
11)#11-Daniel Hemric 193, -84
12)#48-Parker Kligerman 188, -89
See the Drivers Points Standings and Owners Points Standings.
Cars to the rear: #48-Parker Kligerman (unapproved adjustments)
Pit Stall Selections
With qualifying for the ToyotaCare 250 getting rained out, the starting lineup will be set based on the metric. #7-Justin Allgaier will start from the pole with #18-Sammy Smith starting second.
#1-Sam Mayer will line up third, as #98-Riley Herbst and #11-Daniel Hemric rounding out the top five. #2-Sheldon Creed, #8-Josh Berry, #16-Chandler Smith, #9-Brandon Jones and #20-John Hunter Nemechek make up the top 10.
Did Not Qualify: #74-Dawson Cram, #96-Kyle Weatherman
See the complete Starting Lineup.
Practice for the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway was canceled due to rain.
Qualifying Order
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
There are 40 drivers/teams on the entry list for the ToyotaCare 250 Xfinity Series race at Richmond Raceway. Two cars will miss the show.
Notables: #02-Blaine Perkins, #10-Derek Kraus, #19-Joe Graf Jr., #35-Joey Gase, #38-Chris Hacker, #45-Leland Honeyman Jr., #66-Timmy Hill, #74-Dawson Cram, #91-Alex Labbe, #96-Kyle Weatherman.
See the full entry list on the Richmond Entry List page.
TandemDraft Stats – Richmond Xfinity
Richmond At-Track Schedule
