Richmond Raceway is a short track, which means tempers are likely to flair when a driver feels he has been wronged. Such was the case in yesterday’s Xfinity Series race when Joey Gase took exception to some on track contact from Dawson Cram. Gase’s crash into the wall resulted in most of the back bumper coming off. Gase finished the job and took the bumper and hurled it at Cram as he passed by, making contact with the car.
Virginia’s motto is “Virginia is for Lovers”; but apparently no so for some of the NASCAR drivers.
Will cooler heads prevail when the Cup Series takes to the track for some night racing on one of the most holy days in Christianity for the Toyota Owner’s 400???
On Saturday morning, the 36 drivers were divided into two groups for some practice and a qualifying session.
Kyle Larson tops the leaderboard in Group A’s practice session. Over half of the drivers in Group A made a long run of over 40 laps during the practice session.
While 14th overall of all the drivers, Michael McDowell leads the Group B drivers after their practice session.
In a return to the ovals, qualifying is a single car affair with the top five from each group moving on to a second round of qualifying to set the pole.
The first driver on the track is Group A driver Justin Haley who posted a time of 23.007 seconds around the ¾ mile track.
Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Alex Bowman, and Ty Gibbs from Group A will move on to round two of qualifying.
Noah Gragson was the first Group B driver on the track and posted a time of 22.255 seconds.
In Group B Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Austin Cindric, Todd Gilliland, and Martin Truex Jr will be moving on to round two of qualifying.
The first driver from the top 10 on the track is Alex Bowman who set a time of 22.526 seconds.
With a time of 22.439 seconds Kyle Larson puts his number five car on the pole with teammate Chase Elliott alongside on the front row. This is Larson’s first pole of the season and 17th overall
The starting lineup for the Toyota Owner’s 400:
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Ross Chastain
Alex Bowman
Bubba Wallace
Todd Gilliland
Martin Truex Jr
Ty Gibbs
Austin Cindric
Joey Logano
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Blaney
William Byron
Chris Buescher
Kyle Busch
Ryan Preece
Noah Gragson
John Hunter Nemechek
Tyler Reddick
Daniel Suarez
Corey LaJoie
Austin Dillon
Brad Keselowski
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Carson Hocevar
Harrison Burton
Erik Jones
Zane Smith
Christopher Bell
Josh Berry
Michael McDowell
Chase Briscoe
Ty Dillon
Daniel Hemric
Kaz Grala
Justin Haley
Rain has come to Richmond, but NASCAR plans on getting the night of racing started as planned.
Th e cars have been moved out to pit road and are equipped with the wet weather tires.
At 7:09pm, NASCAR has called the drivers to their cars.
This is Cup Series career start number 550 for Joey Logano.
Stage one is 70 laps, stage two is 160 laps, and stage is 170 laps in length for a total of 400 laps around the ¾ mile track.
The drivers have eight sets of racing slicks and four sets of wet weather treaded tires in the pits.
The drivers are making laps under caution, but the race has yet to start while the track drying equipment works on pit road.
Normally the paint has some grip and the drivers like to take advantage of that grip; however, under wet conditions, those painted sections are very slick and the drivers look to avoid them.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of the race and jumps out in front for the lead from the inside lane. Drivers are spread out three wide.
Chase Elliott comes up on the outside to pass Kyle Larson for the lead. Drivers are still spread out three wide. There is very little spray from the cars and visibility is good – which was the beggest concertn of the drivers.
Lap three Chase Elliott leads the race with Kyle Larson in second; Todd Gilliland, Alex Bowman, and Ross Chastain round out the top five.
Bubba Wallace and Ross Chastain battle for fifth.
Lap ix, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott battle for the lead.
Lap seven, Kyle Larson retakes the lead; Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, Todd Gilliand, and Ross Chastain round out the top five.
The drivers making the biggest moves came from dirt racing.
Lap eleven, Kyle Busch has dropped 13 spots since the start of the race.
Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott battle for second.
Lap 19, Kyle Larson has a half second lead on Alex Bowman; Bubba Wallace, Chase Elliott, and Martin Truex Jr round out the top five.
Lap 22, Bubba Wallace passes Alex Bowman for second.
Kyle Larson has a one second lead on Bubba Wallace.
NASCAR has announced a competition caution for lap 30; at which time they will change to the racing slicks.
Tyler Reddick reported that he had a brake issue during qualifying and that is why he did not do well.
Due to a still wet pit road, the stops will be non-competitive; meaning drivers cannot advance their position off of pit road.
Caution of the track on lap 30.
NASCAR is delaying allowing the drivers on pit road until they can dry it a bit more; but the laps are counting.
Lap 41, pit road is finally open and the drivers come down for service.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart of the race with Bubba Wallace alongside on lap 49. Larson edges out Wallace on the restart but Bubba Wallace comes up on the outside to battle for the lead.
Lap 52, the battle for the lead between Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace continues.; Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr, and Todd Gilliland round out the top five.
Lap 54, Kyle Larson finally prevails and retakes the lead.
Lap 58, the top five are Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr, and Todd Gilliland.
Lap 63, Kyle Larson holds on to the lead with Bubba Wallace in second; Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr, and Joey Logano round out the top five.
Josh Berry gets into Daniel Suarez and spins Suarez. Suarez nearly saved the car but the caution flag comes out on lap 64.
The caution will end the stage. Kyle Larson wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Kyle Larson
Bubba Wallace
Alex Bowman
Martin Truex Jr
Joey Logano
Todd Gilliland
Chase Elliott
Ross Chastain
Josh Berry
Ryan Preece
Since pit road is still damp, the pit stops will again be non-competitive.
Making an audible, NASCAR has sent the jet dryers down pit road once again and will determine at that time whether to make the pit stops competitive.
NASCAR has announced that the pit stops will be competitive.
With pit stall number one, Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road with Bubba Wallace coming out second.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two on lap 80 with Larson getting out in front.
During the pit stops, William Byron and Ricky Stenhouse Jr had issues getting into their pit stalls and lost spots on the track.
Lap 84, Kyle Larson has a third of a second lead on Bubba Wallace; Martin Truex Jr, Alex Bowman, and Josh Berry round out the top five. After falling to the back of the field, Kyle Busch has entered the top 20.
Josh Berry passes Alex Bowman for fourth.
Lap 91, Kyle Larson continues to lead the race and has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Bubba Wallace; Martin Truex Jr, Josh Berry, and Joey Logano round out the top five.
Lap 94, Kyle Larson has led all but six of the laps.
Lap 103, Kyle Larson has pulled out to a lead of over two seconds on Martin Truex Jr; Josh Berry, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
Lap 110, Kyle Larson’s lead is now under two seconds on Martin Truex Jr; Josh Berry, Joey Logano, and bubba Wallace round out the top five.
Lap 115, Kyle Larson continues to dominate the race and is nearly two seconds out in front of Martin Truex Jr.
Lap 123, drivers are making green flag pit stops.
Lap 134, just six cars have yet to make a pit stop and are on the lead lap. But some of the drivers on fresher tires are unlapping themselves.
Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr pass leader Kyle Larson and are back on the lead lap.
Lap 145, Kyle Larson continues to lead the race with Bubba Wallace in second but over six seconds back; Alex Bowman, Martin Truex Jr, and Todd Gilliland round out the top five.
Lap 151, leader Kyle Larson brings his car down pit road and gives the lead over to Bubba Wallace.
Bubba Wallace makes his pit stop; Martin Truex J is the new leader.
Lap 166, Martin Truex Jr has a six second lead on Josh Berry; Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, and Chris Buescher. Kyle Larson is in seventh place.
The third caution flag of the night comes out on lap 170 when Kyle Busch bounced off the wall.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Martin Truex Jr winning the race off of pit road.
Ty Gibbs and Ryan Preece were caught speeding on pit road. Justin Haley was charged with crew members coming over the wall too soon.
Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 178 with Truex holding on to the lead. Ryan Blaney got out of the groove but saves the car.
Several drivers took the wave around and did not pit to get back on the lead lap.
Lap 188, Martin Truex Jr has a one second lead on Josh Berry; Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 199, Martin Truex Jr has pulled out to a lead of over a second on Josh Berry; Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five. Even after hitting the wall, Kyle Busch is in the top 15 in 14th place.
There are 23 cars on the lead lap with all 36 drivers still on the track.
Kyle Busch reports a very tight condition; adding that his wheels are chattering.
Twenty laps remain in stage two, Martin Truex Jr has a second and a half lead on Josh Berry; Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 216, drivers who took the wave around are now being lapped by leader Martin Truex Jr.
Lap 222, Martin Truex Jr has increased his lead on Josh Berry to over two seconds; Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Martin Truex Jr wins stage two for his first stage win of the season.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Martin Truex Jr
Josh Berry
Joey Logano
Kyle Larson
Denny Hamlin
Christopher Bell
Chris Buescher
Bubba Wallace
William Byron
Tyler Reddick
Drivers come down pit road for service with Martin Truex Jr winning the race off of pit road. Kyle Larson comes out second.
Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with Kyle Larson alongside on lap 241. There are 20 cars on the lead lap. Truex jumps out in front for the lead with Kyle Larson in second; Joey Logani, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.
Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano battle for third.
Noah Gragson and Chase Elliott are in a battle for 12th place.
Lap 250, Martin Truex Jr has a half second lead on Kyle Larson; Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell round out the top five.
Lap 258, Martin Truex Jr has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Larson; Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, and Christopher Bell round out the top five. All 36 of the drivers are still on the track with 19 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 265, Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin battle for fourth. Bell takes fourth place.
Lap 267, Martin Truex Jr has increased his lead on Kyle Larson to nearly a second.
Lap 270, Martin Truex Jr has a one second lead on Kyle Larson; Joey Logano, Christopher Bell, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 278, leader Martin Truex Jr continues to increase his lead on Kyle Larson; the gap is now a second and a half.
Lap 286, Christopher Bell and Joey Logano battle for third.
Brad Keselowski is the first driver to make a green flag pit stop to start the cycle. Leader Martin Truex Jr makes his pit stop giving the lead over to Christopher Bell.
Christopher Bell is the only driver on the lead lap who has yet to make a pit stop.
Lap 294, Christopher Bell makes his green flag pit stop and gives the lead back to Martin Truex Jr
The top five are Martin Truex Jr, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace.
Martin Truex Jr is the leader but he is mired behind slower traffic which has allowed Kyle Larson and Denny Hamlin to catch up to his bumper.
Christopher Bell was caught speeding on pit road. A green flag penalty, he will have to serve a pass through penalty; resulting in going a lap down.
Lap 305, Martin Truex Jr has a half second lead on Kyle Larson; Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five with 18 cars on the lead lap.
On fresher tires, Christopher Bell passes the leaders and is back on the lead lap.
This is career Cup Series start number 300 for Chris Buescher.
Lap 316, Martin Truex Jr has a near half second lead on Kyle Larson; Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
Lap 325, Martin Truex Jr has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Larson; Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five with all 36 drivers still in the race. There are 17 cars on the lead lap.
With 68 laps remaining in the race Chase Briscoe and Tyler Reddick are the first drivers to make a green flag pit stop.
Lap 335, leader come down pit road for service; Denny Hamlin is the new leader.
Kyle Larson beats Martin Truex Jr off of pit road. Truex passes Larson on the track.
Lap 342, Martin Truex Jr and Kyle Larson pass leader Denny Hamlin to get back on the lead lap.
With 56 laps remaining in the race leader Denny Hamlin comes down pit road for service. Christopher Bell is the new leader.
Lap 347, Christopher Bell comes down pit road; giving the lead over to Martin Truex Jr with Kyle Larson in second. There are 17 cars on the lead lap.
Just 48 laps remain in the race, Martin Truex Jr has a lead of over two seconds on Kyle Larson; Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, and William Byron round out the top five.
Denny Hamlin passes William Byron for fifth.
Just 35 laps to go, Martin Truex Jr has increased his lead to three seconds on Kyle Larson; Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Joey Logano passes Kyle Larson for second.
Fourth place driver Denny Hamlin is running laps faster than leader Martin Truex Jr.
Denny Hamlin passes Kyle Larson for third.
With 25 laps to go, Joey Logano has closed the gap on leader Martin Truex Jr to under three seconds; Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
Twenty to go! Martin Truex Jr has a lead just over a second and a half on Joey Logano; Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five. There are 15 cars on the lead lap.
Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott battle for seventh.
Twelve to go, Joey Logano has closed the gap on leader Martin Truex Jr to under a second.
Ten to go, the top five are Martin Truex Jr, Joey Logano, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Bubba Wallace.
Eight laps to go and Joey Logano has a clear shot to leader Martin Truex Jr…with traffic ahead.
Fiver to go and the race to reach the leader continues…
Kyle Larson brings out the caution flag with just two laps to go. Larson got loose and made contact with Bubba Wallace who was trying to make a pass.
The race goes into overtime.
Drivers come down pit road for service. There are just 16 cars on the lead lap after Ross Chastain gets the “lucky dog”. Denny Hamlin wins the race off of pit road and takes the lead.
Bubba Wallace had a slow stop and comes out the last car on the lead lap in 16th.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the overtime shootout with Martin Truex Jr alongside. Hamlin is in the lead but Truex and Joey Logano are on his bumper.
Denny Hamlin takes the white flag.
Denny Hamlin wins the race at his home track for career win number 53.
Martin Truex Jr and Kyle Larson have a car fight
after the checkered flag. Then Truex bumps Denny Hamlin.
The unofficial results of the Toyota Owner’s 400:
Denny Hamlin
Joey Logano
Kyle Larson
Martin Truex Jr
Chase Elliott
Christopher Bell
William Byron
Brad Keselowski
Chris Buescher
Tyler Reddick
Josh Berry
Noah Gragson
Bubba Wallace
Erik Jones
Ross Chastain
Ty Gibbs
Alex Bowman
Chase Briscoe
Ryan Blaney
Kyle Busch
Todd Gilliland
Daneil Suarez
Austin Cindric
Austin Dillon
John Hunter Nemechek
Michael McDowell
Carson Hocevar
Ryan Preece
Ty Dillon
Daniel Hemric
Kaz Grala
Justin Haley
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Harrison Burton
Zane Smith
Corey LaJoie