2024 ToyotaCare 250
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| Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 6 of 33 of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series | |||
 | |||
| Date | March 30, 2024 | ||
| Official name | 44th Annual ToyotaCare 250 | ||
| Location | Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia | ||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 0.75 miles (1.21 km) | ||
| Distance | 250 laps, 187 mi (301 km) | ||
| Scheduled distance | 250 laps, 187 mi (301 km) | ||
| Average speed | 81.179 mph (130.645 km/h) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Jordan Anderson Racing | ||
| Time | 22.420 | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | Aric Almirola | Joe Gibbs Racing | |
| Laps | 95 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 81 | Chandler Smith | Joe Gibbs Racing | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | FS1 | ||
| Announcers | Adam Alexander, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski | ||
| Radio in the United States | |||
| Radio | MRN | ||
The 2024 ToyotaCare 250 was the 6th stock car race of the 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the 44th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia, a 0.75 miles (1.21 km) permanent asphalt tri-oval shaped short track. The race took the scheduled 250 laps to complete. Chandler Smith, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would dominate the final stages of the race, leading 76 laps and earning his third career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, his second of the season, and his second consecutive win at Richmond.[9] Smith's teammate, Aric Almirola, was the most consistent driver of the race, leading a race-high 95 laps and winning both stages. He ended up finishing 2nd in the race. To fill out the podium, Taylor Gray, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would finish 3rd in his series debut in a JGR 1-2-3 finish.
The race would feature a late race incident between Joey Gase and Dawson Cram. While battling outside the top 25 on lap 171, Cram and Gase had made contact at the end of the frontstretch, causing Gase to spin into the outside wall in turn 1. Frustrated, Gase reacted by ripping off his back bumper cover, and throwing it at Cram's car. NASCAR had fined Joey Gase $5,000 on a safety violation may be imposed for any action or omission by a competitor or vehicle that creates an unsafe environment or poses a threat to the safety of the Competitors.[10]
Background
Richmond Raceway (RR) is a 0.75 miles (1.21 km), D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in unincorporated Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.[11] Known as "America's premier short track", it has formerly hosted events such as the International Race of Champions, Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, and the USAC sprint car series. Due to Richmond Raceway's unique "D" shape which allows drivers to reach high speeds, Richmond has long been known as a short track that races like a superspeedway. With its multiple racing grooves, and proclivity for contact Richmond is a favorite among NASCAR drivers and fans.[12]
Entry list
- (R) denotes rookie driver.
- (i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
Practice
The first and only practice session was held on Saturday, March 30, at 8:35 AM EST, and would last for 20 minutes.[13] Bubba Pollard, driving for JR Motorsports, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 22.855, and a speed of 118.136 mph (190.121 km/h).[14]
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | Bubba Pollard | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.855 | 118.136 |
| 2 | 11 | Josh Williams | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 22.860 | 118.110 |
| 3 | 91 | Kyle Weatherman | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | 22.893 | 117.940 |
| Full practice results | ||||||
Qualifying
Qualifying was held on Saturday, March 30, at 9:05 AM EST. Since Richmond Raceway is a short track, the qualifying system used is a single-car, two-lap system with only one round. Drivers will be on track by themselves and will have two laps to post a qualifying time. Whoever sets the fastest time in that round will win the pole.[15]
Parker Retzlaff, driving for Jordan Anderson Racing, would score his first career pole for the race, with a lap of 22.420, and a speed of 120.428 mph (193.810 km/h).[16]
No drivers would fail to qualify.
