Rookie Chandler Smith wins the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway

 
Carol D'Agostino for Skirts and Scuffs  




The weather was top of mind all day at Richmond Raceway as rain threatened to wreak havoc on the track schedule. In the end, practice and qualifying for both the Cup and Xfinity were cancelled.

As the field took the green flag for the NASCAR Xfinity Series ToyotaCare 250, the sun actually peeked through a bit, perhaps a good omen for Chandler Smith, who earned the victory, his first Xfinity Series career win.

For the better part of the first two stages two drivers hungry for their first win took turns leading the race – Riley Herbst in the No. 98 and Smith. Smith won Stage One, his first career stage win. Josh Berry won Stage Two, for his first stage win of the season.

Brandon Jones, who has had more than his fair share of issues this season, powered past both Berry and Smith in the opening laps of the final stage. Berry took back the lead at Lap 186. Jones lost an additional spot to John Hunter Nemechek, who took the wave-around at the end of Stage Two to get back on the lead lap.

It looked like Berry was going to cruise to a win, but the caution flag flew at Lap 224 when the ailing No. 51 car of Jeremy Clements didn’t quite make it to his pit stall. After a four-tire pit stop, Berry beat Nemechek off pit road. Nemechek passed Berry at Lap 228, followed almost immediately by the fifth caution of the day when Brandon Jones, Cole Custer, and Riley Herbst got together.

Despite a sixth caution at Lap 238 for a multiple car incident at Turn 3, it was the No. 16 of Chander Smith who took the checkered flag. The rookie will make his first Cup Series start tomorrow at the Toyota Owners 400.
 
Carol D'Agostino for Skirts and Scuffs

 


Rookie Chandler Smith wins the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway Rookie Chandler Smith wins the ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway Reviewed by Carol D'Agostino on Saturday, April 01, 2023 Rating: 5