# 2024 ToyotaCare 250

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. 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.

## Report
### 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. 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.

#### Entry list

* (R) denotes rookie driver.
* (i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
| # | Driver | Team | Make | Sponsor |
| 00 | Cole Custer | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | Haas Automation |
| 1 | Sam Mayer | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 10X Health |
| 2 | Jesse Love (R) | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Whelen |
| 4 | Dawson Cram (R) | JD Motorsports | Chevrolet | KSDT CPA |
| 5 | Anthony Alfredo | Our Motorsports | Chevrolet | Dude Wipes |
| 6 | Garrett Smithley | JD Motorsports | Chevrolet | Long Drink |
| 07 | Patrick Emerling | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | Southern Tier Security |
| 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | DeCA / Hellmann's |
| 8 | Sammy Smith | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | Pilot Flying J Coffee |
| 9 | Brandon Jones | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | Nibco / Menards |
| 11 | Josh Williams | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | Alloy Employer Services |
| 14 | Logan Bearden | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | Bearden Automotive / Parker Electric |
| 15 | Hailie Deegan (R) | AM Racing | Ford | AirBox |
| 16 | A. J. Allmendinger | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | Action Industries |
| 18 | Sheldon Creed | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | Friends of Jaclyn Foundation |
| 19 | Taylor Gray (i) | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | Place of Hope |
| 20 | Aric Almirola | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | He Gets Us |
| 21 | Austin Hill | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | Bennett Transportation |
| 26 | Corey Heim (i) | Sam Hunt Racing | Toyota | GearWrench |
| 27 | Jeb Burton | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | Celsius |
| 28 | Kyle Sieg | RSS Racing | Ford | Eastern Fuel Systems |
| 29 | Blaine Perkins | RSS Racing | Ford | AutoParkIt.com |
| 31 | Parker Retzlaff | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | FUNKAWAY |
| 32 | Ryan Vargas | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | Jordan Anderson Racing |
| 35 | Joey Gase | Joey Gase Motorsports | Chevrolet | NCPC Race Against Crime |
| 38 | Matt DiBenedetto | RSS Racing | Ford | Viking Motorsports |
| 39 | Ryan Sieg | RSS Racing | Ford | Sci Aps |
| 42 | Leland Honeyman (R) | Young's Motorsports | Chevrolet | RANDCO |
| 43 | Ryan Ellis | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | Southern Elevator |
| 44 | Brennan Poole | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | Finance Pro Plus |
| 48 | Parker Kligerman | Big Machine Racing | Chevrolet | Big Machine Spiked Light Coolers |
| 51 | Jeremy Clements | Jeremy Clements Racing | Chevrolet | Nordic Logistics |
| 81 | Chandler Smith | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | Mobil 1 |
| 88 | Bubba Pollard | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | Rheem |
| 91 | Kyle Weatherman | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | My Radar |
| 92 | Josh Bilicki | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | Chesterfield Auto Parts |
| 97 | Shane van Gisbergen (R) | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | WeatherTech |
| 98 | Riley Herbst | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | Monster Energy |
| Official entry list |||||

## Practice

The first and only practice session was held on Saturday, March 30, at 8:35 AM EST, and would last for 20 minutes. 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).
| 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.
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).
No drivers would fail to qualify.

### Qualifying results

| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Time | Speed |
| 1 | 31 | Parker Retzlaff | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 22.420 | 120.428 |
| 2 | 9 | Brandon Jones | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.516 | 119.915 |
| 3 | 00 | Cole Custer | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 22.517 | 119.909 |
| 4 | 81 | Chandler Smith | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 22.521 | 119.888 |
| 5 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.571 | 119.623 |
| 6 | 26 | Corey Heim (i) | Sam Hunt Racing | Toyota | 22.576 | 119.596 |
| 7 | 16 | A. J. Allmendinger | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 22.599 | 119.474 |
| 8 | 2 | Jesse Love (R) | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 22.734 | 118.765 |
| 9 | 48 | Parker Kligerman | Big Machine Racing | Chevrolet | 22.747 | 118.697 |
| 10 | 20 | Aric Almirola | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 22.757 | 118.645 |
| 11 | 1 | Sam Mayer | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.763 | 118.614 |
| 12 | 97 | Shane van Gisbergen (R) | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 22.782 | 118.515 |
| 13 | 8 | Sammy Smith | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.797 | 118.437 |
| 14 | 98 | Riley Herbst | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 22.813 | 118.354 |
| 15 | 39 | Ryan Sieg | RSS Racing | Ford | 22.840 | 118.214 |
| 16 | 21 | Austin Hill | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 22.842 | 118.203 |
| 17 | 51 | Jeremy Clements | Jeremy Clements Racing | Chevrolet | 22.845 | 118.188 |
| 18 | 5 | Anthony Alfredo | Our Motorsports | Chevrolet | 22.858 | 118.121 |
| 19 | 44 | Brennan Poole | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | 22.869 | 118.064 |
| 20 | 18 | Sheldon Creed | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 22.896 | 117.925 |
| 21 | 27 | Jeb Burton | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 22.923 | 117.786 |
| 22 | 43 | Ryan Ellis | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | 22.945 | 117.673 |
| 23 | 91 | Kyle Weatherman | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | 23.035 | 117.213 |
| 24 | 15 | Hailie Deegan (R) | AM Racing | Ford | 23.054 | 117.116 |
| 25 | 42 | Leland Honeyman (R) | Young's Motorsports | Chevrolet | 23.062 | 117.076 |
| 26 | 11 | Josh Williams | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 23.075 | 117.010 |
| 27 | 19 | Taylor Gray (i) | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 23.110 | 116.833 |
| 28 | 29 | Blaine Perkins | RSS Racing | Ford | 23.171 | 116.525 |
| 29 | 92 | Josh Bilicki | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | 23.173 | 116.515 |
| 30 | 32 | Ryan Vargas | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 23.197 | 116.394 |
| 31 | 38 | Matt DiBenedetto | RSS Racing | Ford | 23.243 | 116.164 |
| 32 | 14 | Logan Bearden | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | 23.261 | 116.074 |
| 33 | 4 | Dawson Cram (R) | JD Motorsports | Chevrolet | 23.269 | 116.034 |
| Qualified by owner's points |||||||
| 34 | 28 | Kyle Sieg | RSS Racing | Ford | 23.326 | 115.751 |
| 35 | 07 | Patrick Emerling | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | 23.507 | 114.859 |
| 36 | 6 | Garrett Smithley | JD Motorsports | Chevrolet | 23.524 | 114.776 |
| 37 | 88 | Bubba Pollard | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 23.947 | 112.749 |
| 38 | 35 | Joey Gase | Joey Gase Motorsports | Chevrolet | – | – |
| Official qualifying results |||||||
| Official starting lineup |||||||

## Race results

Stage 1 Laps: 75
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Pts |
| 1 | 20 | Aric Almirola | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 10 |
| 2 | 44 | Brennan Poole | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | 9 |
| 3 | 26 | Corey Heim (i) | Sam Hunt Racing | Toyota | 0 |
| 4 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 7 |
| 5 | 1 | Sam Mayer | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 6 |
| 6 | 98 | Riley Herbst | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 5 |
| 7 | 81 | Chandler Smith | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 4 |
| 8 | 00 | Cole Custer | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 3 |
| 9 | 19 | Taylor Gray (i) | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 0 |
| 10 | 8 | Sammy Smith | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 1 |
Stage 2 Laps: 75
| Pos. | # | Driver | Team | Make | Pts |
| 1 | 20 | Aric Almirola | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 10 |
| 2 | 1 | Sam Mayer | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 9 |
| 3 | 81 | Chandler Smith | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 8 |
| 4 | 19 | Taylor Gray (i) | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 0 |
| 5 | 26 | Corey Heim (i) | Sam Hunt Racing | Toyota | 0 |
| 6 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 5 |
| 7 | 21 | Austin Hill | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 4 |
| 8 | 31 | Parker Retzlaff | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 3 |
| 9 | 00 | Cole Custer | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 2 |
| 10 | 14 | Logan Bearden | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | 1 |
Stage 3 Laps: 100
| Fin | St | # | Driver | Team | Make | Laps | Led | Status | Pts |
| 1 | 4 | 81 | Chandler Smith | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 250 | 76 | Running | 52 |
| 2 | 10 | 20 | Aric Almirola | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 250 | 95 | Running | 55 |
| 3 | 27 | 19 | Taylor Gray (i) | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 250 | 0 | Running | 0 |
| 4 | 6 | 26 | Corey Heim (i) | Sam Hunt Racing | Toyota | 250 | 15 | Running | 0 |
| 5 | 8 | 2 | Jesse Love (R) | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 250 | 0 | Running | 32 |
| 6 | 37 | 88 | Bubba Pollard | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 250 | 0 | Running | 31 |
| 7 | 9 | 48 | Parker Kligerman | Big Machine Racing | Chevrolet | 250 | 0 | Running | 30 |
| 8 | 16 | 21 | Austin Hill | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 250 | 0 | Running | 33 |
| 9 | 13 | 8 | Sammy Smith | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 250 | 0 | Running | 29 |
| 10 | 3 | 00 | Cole Custer | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 249 | 7 | Running | 32 |
| 11 | 5 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 249 | 28 | Running | 38 |
| 12 | 26 | 11 | Josh Williams | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 25 |
| 13 | 14 | 98 | Riley Herbst | Stewart–Haas Racing | Ford | 249 | 0 | Running | 29 |
| 14 | 7 | 16 | A. J. Allmendinger | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 23 |
| 15 | 12 | 97 | Shane van Gisbergen (R) | Kaulig Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 22 |
| 16 | 1 | 31 | Parker Retzlaff | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 27 | Running | 24 |
| 17 | 23 | 91 | Kyle Weatherman | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 20 |
| 18 | 31 | 38 | Matt DiBenedetto | RSS Racing | Ford | 249 | 0 | Running | 19 |
| 19 | 29 | 92 | Josh Bilicki | DGM Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 18 |
| 20 | 25 | 42 | Leland Honeyman (R) | Young's Motorsports | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 17 |
| 21 | 36 | 6 | Garrett Smithley | JD Motorsports | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 16 |
| 22 | 32 | 14 | Logan Bearden | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 16 |
| 23 | 34 | 28 | Kyle Sieg | RSS Racing | Ford | 249 | 0 | Running | 14 |
| 24 | 17 | 51 | Jeremy Clements | Jeremy Clements Racing | Chevrolet | 249 | 0 | Running | 13 |
| 25 | 33 | 4 | Dawson Cram (R) | JD Motorsports | Chevrolet | 248 | 0 | Running | 12 |
| 26 | 21 | 27 | Jeb Burton | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 248 | 0 | Running | 11 |
| 27 | 22 | 43 | Ryan Ellis | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | 248 | 0 | Running | 10 |
| 28 | 19 | 44 | Brennan Poole | Alpha Prime Racing | Chevrolet | 248 | 0 | Running | 18 |
| 29 | 18 | 5 | Anthony Alfredo | Our Motorsports | Chevrolet | 248 | 0 | Running | 8 |
| 30 | 11 | 1 | Sam Mayer | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 246 | 2 | Running | 22 |
| 31 | 24 | 15 | Hailie Deegan (R) | AM Racing | Ford | 241 | 0 | Running | 6 |
| 32 | 15 | 39 | Ryan Sieg | RSS Racing | Ford | 220 | 0 | Running | 5 |
| 33 | 28 | 29 | Blaine Perkins | RSS Racing | Ford | 181 | 0 | Running | 4 |
| 34 | 38 | 35 | Joey Gase | Joey Gase Motorsports | Chevrolet | 171 | 0 | Accident | 3 |
| 35 | 20 | 18 | Sheldon Creed | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 118 | 0 | Brakes | 2 |
| 36 | 35 | 07 | Patrick Emerling | SS-Green Light Racing | Chevrolet | 95 | 0 | Brakes | 1 |
| 37 | 2 | 9 | Brandon Jones | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 42 | 0 | Engine | 1 |
| 38 | 30 | 32 | Ryan Vargas | Jordan Anderson Racing | Chevrolet | 18 | 0 | Engine | 1 |
| Official race results ||||||||||

## Standings after the race

| | Pos | Driver | Points |
| 1 | 1 | Chandler Smith | 265 |
| 1 | 2 | Austin Hill | 255 (-10) |
| | 3 | Cole Custer | 224 (–41) |
| | 4 | Jesse Love | 198 (–67) |
| | 5 | Riley Herbst | 194 (–71) |
| | 6 | A. J. Allmendinger | 185 (–80) |
| 1 | 7 | Justin Allgaier | 181 (–84) |
| 1 | 8 | Parker Kligerman | 177 (–88) |
| 2 | 9 | Sammy Smith | 153 (–112) |
| 1 | 10 | Brandon Jones | 140 (–125) |
| 1 | 11 | Sheldon Creed | 137 (–128) |
| | 12 | Anthony Alfredo | 131 (–134) |
| Official driver's standings ||||
| Pos | Manufacturer | Points |
| 1 | Chevrolet | 220 |
| 2 | Toyota | 214 (–6) |
| 3 | Ford | 180 (–40) |