Winless streak ends for Chase Elliott at the 35th annual Virginia529 College Savings 250

Chase Elliott celebrates in Victory Lane at Richmond on Friday night, breaking his 39-race winless streak
Photo; Carol D'Agostino for Skirts and Scuffs

With 32 laps to go, reigning NASCAR XFinity Series Champion Chase Elliott took the lead by virtue of being the first off pit road under caution and went on to win Friday's race at Richmond, with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch nipping at his heels. In the end, Busch didn’t have enough speed to overtake Elliott. The race had six leaders and six cautions.

For Elliott, this was his fourth victory in 58 NASCAR XFinity Series races, and his first victory and 20^th top-10 finish in 2015. This is Elliott’s first victory and fourth top-10 finish in four races at Richmond International Raceway.

Not that breaking a 39-race drought isn’t big news, but the Richmond NASCAR Xfinity Series debut of late model racer Josh Berry nearly stole the show. Berry had only one previous start at Richmond in 2014 in the K&N Series. He is the fifth driver to race in JR Motorsports' No. 88. Berry qualified 5^th and finished the race in 7^th.

“I ran twice last year in the Xfinity Series and wasn’t sure I’d have the opportunity to do it again, but luckily Speedco came on board for the race. I’m really thankful for their support and for the opportunity Dale, Kelley, L.W. (Miller) and everyone at JRM are giving me,” Berry said.

Berry is not scheduled to run any more races this year. JRM Motorsports is seeking sponsorship.

The final results of  the Virginia529 College Savings 250 are:

1. Chase Elliott 

2. Kyle Busch 

3. Brian Scott 

4. Joey Logano 

5. Erik Jones 

6. Regan Smith 

7. Josh Berry 

8. Ty Dillon 

9. Austin Dillon  

10. Chris Buescher 

11. Brennan Poole 

12. Daniel Suarez  

13. Ryan Reed 

14. Darrell Wallace Jr.  

15. Ross Chastain   

16. Brendan Gaughan  

17. Ryan Sieg, Chevrolet 

18. Landon Cassill 

19. Blake Koch 

20. JJ Yeley 

21. Dakoda Armstrong

22. Cale Conley  

23. Harrison Rhodes  

24. Elliott Sadler 

25. Dylan Kwasniewski 

26. Eric McClure 

27. Joey Gase 

28. Josh Reaume  

29. Mike Harmon 

30. John Wes Townley

31. Ryan Truex 

32. Hermie Sadler 

33. Matt Waltz 

34. Jeremy Clements 

35. Ryan Ellis 

36. Carl Long 

37. David Starr 

38. Benny Gordon 

39. Jimmy Weller 

40. Jeff Green