Mike Joy: Some more short track beatin and bangin will be happening tonight at the storied Richmond Raceway! Tempers usually flare here under the lights, we're set for a tremendous race here tonight!
Race Details
Track: 0.75 Mile Short Track
Race Length: 400 Laps/300 Miles
Stages: 120/120/160
Fuel Window: 105-110 Laps
Tire Wear: High
Race Start: 7:00 PM
Weather: 70° Clear Skies
Chance of Rain: 10%
Starting Lineup
Row 1: Joey Logano/Kyle Busch
Row 2: Christopher Bell/Martin Truex Jr
Row 3: Kurt Busch/Chase Elliott
Row 4: Kyle Larson/Brad Keselowski
Row 5: Jimmie Johnson/Corey Heim (R)
Row 6: Todd Gilliland/Ryan Blaney
Row 7: Ty Gibbs (R)/Kasey Kahne
Row 8: William Byron/Matt DiBenedetto
Row 9: Noah Gragson/Denny Hamlin
Row 10: John Hunter Nemechek/Tyler Reddick
Row 11: Gracie Trotter/Brett Moffitt
Row 12: Justin Haley/Kaz Grala
Row 13: Chris Buescher/Zane Smith (R)
Row 14: Ross Chastain/Casey Atwood
Row 15: Matt Kenseth/Chase Briscoe
Row 16: Shane Van Gisbergen/Anthony Alfredo
Row 17: Sheldon Creed (R)/Paul Menard
Row 18: Myatt Snider/Michael McDowell
Row 19: Parker Kligerman/Tyler Ankrum (R)
Row 20: Ryan Sieg (R)/Hailie Deegan
Row 21: Landon Cassill/David Ragan
Row 22: Matt Tifft
1/400
Joey Logano and Kyle Busch on the front row, they lead us to green at Richmond! Logano launches very well and he clears Busch into turn 1 as the 18 slides in behind Logano to keep 2nd! Martin Truex Jr trying to stay tight on the outside, but he's starting to bleed positions already as Logano leads the opening lap.
2/400
The bottom line is proving to be dominant, and Martin Truex Jr has already dropped to 9th before teammate Corey Heim cuts him a break and lets him drop down.
4/400
Kurt Busch puts the bumper to Christopher Bell into turn 1, he moves the 19 up the track and takes 3rd place for himself.
8/400
Joey Logano is starting to put some distance between himself and Kyle Busch, Busch put some pressure on early but the 22 is clearly the better short run car.
13/400
Kyle Larson utilizes the middle groove and has momentum off of turn 4, diving underneath Christopher Bell and taking 4th.
20/400
Ryan Blaney gives a bump to Todd Gilliland and he moves on past into 11th place. Penske need a big day and they almost have 3 cars in the top 10.
27/400
Busch brother battle for 2nd, here comes Kurt Busch on the outside of Kyle! Big run for the 45 and Kurt sweeps past on the upper lane to take the position. Kurt hasn't won here in a while, he's hungry for a Richmond victory.
41/400
Joey Logano has run into lapped traffic and he's getting into a bit of a jam as many cars at the tail end of the field are battling for positions, making it harder for Logano to get by.
49/400
between Tyler Ankrum and Hailie Deegan right in front of the leaders and Deegan spins up into the outside wall! Rear end damage for the 51 as the caution comes out for the first time.
53/400 -> Caution
Joey Logano brings a bunch of leaders into the pits, this will be good enough to get them to the end of this stage and then some. 4 tires and fuel.
Race Off Pit Road
1 - Joey Logano
2 - Kurt Busch
3 - Kyle Busch
4 - Christopher Bell (+1)
5 - Kyle Larson (-1)
6 - Jimmie Johnson
7 - Chase Elliott
8 - Brad Keselowski
9 - Martin Truex Jr
10 - Corey Heim (R)
56/400
A lot of cars stayed out, a total of 9 as Matt DiBenedetto, Denny Hamlin, John Hunter Nemechek, Tyler Reddick, Gracie Trotter, Brett Moffitt, Kaz Grala, Chris Buescher, and Zane Smith are banking on being able to make it the entire stage on fuel and getting track position. DiBenedetto leads the way and we're green again, the 23 leads into turn 1 ahead of Denny Hamlin as Joey Logano wastes no time to take it 3 wide on Chris Buescher and Kaz Grala through 1 and 2! Logano sweeps by but Buescher gets squeezed into him and spins off turn 2! Buescher spins down the track and he's into the inside wall! Heavy damage to the nose of the 8 and Buescher's race is gonna end early.
60/400 -> Caution
No pit stops, the 22 team observes the damage to the left side of Joey Logano's car and determine that it doesn't need pit crew intervention. This caution helps the drivers hopeful of running the entire stage without making a pit stop.
63/400
Matt DiBenedetto and Denny Hamlin on the front row once again and it's a huge jump for DiBenedetto on the bottom! Matty D slides through into the lead still as Hamlin tucks into 2nd place, with John Hunter Nemechek and Tyler Reddick battling for 3rd. A little between the 3 and 4 as Nemechek surges ahead with Reddick sliding back to 4th.
70/400
Joey Logano into the back of Gracie Trotter, and the pole sitter gets himself back into the top 5 as he drives past the 20 car. His tire advantage got deflated slightly due to that caution but he still has one.
78/400
John Hunter Nemechek gets to the inside of Denny Hamlin for 2nd, and Nemechek takes the place away! This gamble paid off handsomely for the 4 team as they have prized track position.
91/400
Tyler Reddick has been defending against Joey Logano like a lion but he's unable to hang on any further and Logano moves into 4th.
101/400
Denny Hamlin is making it difficult for Joey Logano to access the top 3 and he's hugging the bottom really well! Logano puts the bumper to the 11 and runs into the side of Hamlin! Hamlin responds by hitting Logano on the door down the backstretch and this battle isn't over! Logano slides up the track and Hamlin somehow stays ahead!
104/400
Joey Logano has had enough and he punts Hamlin even further into turn 1, and here comes Hamlin off turn 2, he's not happy and he returns the favor into turn 3! Hamlin is doing an incredible job defending Matt DiBenedetto for the stage win!
106/400
Joey Logano finally clears Denny Hamlin forcefully off of turn 4 but has lost over 3 seconds to 2nd place John Hunter Nemechek in the process. What a defense job by Denny Hamlin!
114/400
Kurt Busch has diced his way through the field and he takes 4th away from team boss Denny Hamlin. Both 23XI cars sit inside the top 5 so far!
120/400
Here comes Matt DiBenedetto, he wins Stage 1 here at Richmond with a strategy that paid off beautifully! John Hunter Nemechek barely beats Joey Logano for 2nd as Logano tracked him down in a hurry.
Stage 1 Results
1 - Matt DiBenedetto
2 - John Hunter Nemechek
3 - Joey Logano
4 - Kurt Busch
5 - Denny Hamlin
6 - Kyle Busch
7 - Kyle Larson
8 - Christopher Bell
9 - Tyler Reddick
10 - Chase Elliott
123/400 -> Caution
Here comes everyone into the pits! Matt DiBenedetto's strategy paid off beautifully and he's now in control entering the pits. 4 tires and fuel for everyone and Matty D hangs on!
Race Off Pit Road
1 - Matt DiBenedetto
2 - Joey Logano (+1)
3 - Kurt Busch (+1)
4 - John Hunter Nemechek (-2)
5 - Denny Hamlin
6 - Kyle Busch
7 - Kyle Larson
8 - Christopher Bell
9 - Chase Elliott (+1)
10 - Tyler Reddick (-1)
126/400
Matt DiBenedetto and Joey Logano make up the front row for this restart and we're green again! DiBenedetto leads into turn 1 and he gets clear of Logano, now here comes Kurt Busch to take 2nd! 23XI looking to go 1-2 and they do, Busch to 2nd.
133/400
Denny Hamlin putting John Hunter Nemechek under pressure for 4th, and Hamlin is gonna drive past the 4 car to move up a place. JGR has had a really strong run with 3 drivers today.
140/400
Side-by-side for 6th, Kyle Larson trying to get past Kyle Busch and he runs the 18 up the track big time and Christopher Bell is gonna take them 3 wide and them both! Big move from Bell!
146/400
23XI has really taken control of this race as Matt DiBenedetto and Kurt Busch continue to drive away from Joey Logano up at the front. Kurt is starting to reel in Matt a little bit as well.
164/400
Kyle Larson to the inside of Christopher Bell into turn 1 and we have ! Larson into the side of Bell and Bell goes around, up into the outside wall! Caution is out as Bell has left rear and left front damage.
168/400 -> Caution
Here come the leaders into the pits, no strategy play this time as it's gonna be 4 tires and fuel for everyone as Matt DiBenedetto leads the way still.
Race Off Pit Road
1 - Matt DiBenedetto
2 - Kurt Busch
3 - Joey Logano
4 - Denny Hamlin
5 - Kyle Larson (+1)
6 - John Hunter Nemechek (-1)
7 - Kyle Busch
8 - Chase Elliott
9 - Jimmie Johnson (+1)
10 - Ryan Blaney (+1)
172/400
Matt DiBenedetto and Kurt Busch lead the way on this restart and we're green again! Joey Logano to the inside, 3 wide for the race lead as Logano takes it away from DiBenedetto! Denny Hamlin to 3rd as Kurt Busch drops back.
179/400
Kyle Larson to the outside of Kurt Busch for 4th, and Larson is gonna complete the to take the spot away, carrying the torch for a struggling Roush tonight.
190/400
Denny Hamlin underneath Matt DiBenedetto for 2nd, and Hamlin takes the position away again and looks to chase down a guy that he's had a run-in with today for the lead, Joey Logano!
203/400
Jimmie Johnson works his way around Chase Elliott for 8th, a moderately good day for Hendrick Motorsports with a couple cars inside the top 10.
215/400
Joey Logano continues to leg out his advantage over Denny Hamlin, that 22 is really strong when it's leading and in clean air. Is Logano the man to beat, trying to end a very long winless streak?
222/400
Kyle Busch takes 6th from John Hunter Nemechek and continues his march towards the front, trying to get up there with teammate Denny Hamlin.
240/400
Here comes Joey Logano out of turn 4, he wins Stage 2 here at Richmond Raceway under the lights, ahead of Denny Hamlin.
Stage 2 Results
1 - Joey Logano
2 - Denny Hamlin
3 - Matt DiBenedetto
4 - Kyle Larson
5 - Kurt Busch
6 - Kyle Busch
7 - John Hunter Nemechek
8 - Jimmie Johnson
9 - Chase Elliott
10 - Ryan Blaney
243/400 -> Caution
Here comes the entire field down pit road once again, it's gonna be tires and fuel for everyone as Joey Logano leads off pit road.
Race Off Pit Road
1 - Joey Logano
2 - Denny Hamlin
3 - Kyle Larson (+1)
4 - Matt DiBenedetto (-1)
5 - Kyle Busch (+1)
6 - Kurt Busch (-1)
7 - John Hunter Nemechek
8 - Jimmie Johnson
9 - Chase Elliott
10 - Corey Heim (R)(+1)
246/400
Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin make up the front row for this restart and we're green again! Logano leads the way into turn 1 and he gets clear of the 11 as Kyle Larson challenges Hamlin for 2nd! Side-by-side and Larson takes 2nd away.
261/400
Kyle Busch takes 4th from Matt DiBenedetto and his charge continues on as he's got the leader in his sights up ahead.
270/400
Hailie Deegan gets into Tyler Ankrum and dumps him around into turn 3! Ankrum up into the wall and the caution comes back out, a little payback from early on!
274/400 -> Caution
None of these leaders take the opportunity to pit, but here come some cars towards the tail end of the lead lap! William Byron, Brad Keselowski, Noah Gragson, Chase Briscoe, and Todd Gilliland are all in for tires and fuel, looking to try and stretch it all the way to the end!
278/400
123 laps of racing to go, we're green once again! Joey Logano and Kyle Larson on the front row, side-by-side into turn 1! Logano gets clear and holds off for the top spot.
285/400
Kyle Busch to the outside of Denny Hamlin for 3rd, Busch takes the place away from his teammate and gets into the top 3!
293/400
Jimmie Johnson up to 6th, taking a position away from Kurt Busch as the 7 time champion continues his really solid day in that 48 car.
300/400
Rookie Corey Heim has been on the move, up to 9th place ahead of Chase Elliott as his strong run continues, looking to have a great points day and assist his playoff hopes.
312/400
Kyle Larson coming up to lap a wounded Christopher Bell as he chases Joey Logano but Bell sends it into his left rear and turns him around! Larson spins and Bell gets his payback as the caution comes back out! Bell has some right front damage but it doesn't seem like he cares.
316/400 -> Caution
Here comes Joey Logano and the leaders into the pits! These are the final scheduled stops for 4 tires and fuel and Logano continues to lead.
Race Off Pit Road
1 - Joey Logano
2 - Kyle Busch
3 - Denny Hamlin
4 - Matt DiBenedetto
5 - Jimmie Johnson
6 - Kyle Larson
7 - Kurt Busch
8 - Corey Heim (R)(+1)
9 - Chase Elliott (+1)
10 - John Hunter Nemechek (-2)
320/400
William Byron, Noah Gragson, Brad Keselowski, Todd Gilliland, and Chase Briscoe all stayed out after making an earlier pit stop and we're green again with 81 to go! Byron leads into turn 1 but Gragson isn't letting him get away! Side-by-side for the lead, a little and trouble behind! Sheldon Creed goes around and the caution comes back out!
323/400 -> Caution
Nobody comes down pit road as we didn't even get a green flag lap in before that incident, William Byron was ahead at the time of the caution.
326/400
We will try this again, 75 laps to go, William Byron and Noah Gragson on the front row and we're green again! Byron gets a better restart this time and leads into turn 1, Gragson now has trouble from behind with Brad Keselowski challenging for 2nd! Keselowski takes the place and Todd Gilliland moves up to 3rd, Gragson is in big trouble!
328/400
Joey Logano moves Noah Gragson up and Gragson slides into the wall off turn 2! Tire rub for the 25 and this strategy has derailed for him! Logano charges forward with the fresher tires.
331/400
For 3rd, Joey Logano takes it from Todd Gilliland very easily with the fresher tires. It's gonna be hard for these cars that stayed out to stay up front ahead of the quicker cars.
340/400
Joey Logano attacking teammate Brad Keselowski for that 2nd spot, and Logano drives past with ease! His teammate doesn't give him any trouble as he knows he can't hold on with those tires.
348/400
Noah Gragson's tire has shredded and there's debris all over the backstretch, caution is out! This is not what William Byron wanted to see at all.
351/400 -> Caution
Noah Gragson comes into the pits and he's the only one in. It'll be 4 tires and fuel for the 25 as he looks to salvage this day.
355/400
William Byron and Joey Logano on the front row, green again! Byron has trouble getting going on old tires and Logano takes the lead on the outside, Kyle Busch moves up to 2nd!
362/400
We're back to what we had at the start, Joey Logano against Kyle Busch! Logano leads but Busch isn't letting him get away!
370/400
Trouble again! Ty Gibbs goes around off the bumper of points leader Martin Truex Jr! It hasn't been an ideal day for either driver and now some tempers are flaring.
374/400 -> Caution
Ty Gibbs comes into the pits, he's very unhappy with Martin Truex Jr and is gonna get some tires to make a charge and get some spots back.
377/400
Joey Logano and Kyle Busch on the front row, we're green again! Into turn 1, Logano gets moved by Denny Hamlin up the track into his teammate, making it 3 wide for the lead! Logano doors the 11 down the backstretch and sends it deep into turn 3, but Denny doesn't let him get away and he dumps him! Logano around and the caution comes right back out as the dominant car has been taken out! Logano and Hamlin have history and it's coming to a boiling point once again.
381/400 -> Caution
Joey Logano pits, fuming on the radio but he's gotta finish this race before he goes and confronts Denny Hamlin. 4 tires and fuel for the man who's led the most laps tonight.
384/400
Teammates on the front row, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lead us back to green! Great restarts for both of them, side-by-side into turn 1! Busch hangs in there on the outside as he crowds his teammate onto the bottom line, looking to get him loose! They stay side-by-side into turn 3 as Hamlin takes a wider line to force Busch up!
385/400
Denny Hamlin gets clear of Kyle Busch into turn 1, Hamlin looking to get away and win this race, it would be a huge win for the 11!
391/400
10 laps to go, Kyle Busch isn't done! He's trying the outside to get by Denny Hamlin and he's getting close to pulling alongside!
397/400
Kyle Busch dives to the inside of Denny Hamlin for the race lead, this is his chance! Trying to be a good teammate, they make a little ! Hamlin brushes the wall and he's back into 2nd place.
400/400
White flag, final lap at Richmond! The JGR teammates have pulled away from the field to settle it out for themselves, here comes Hamlin into turn 1! Hamlin gets to the outside of Busch and they're side-by-side down the backstretch! Hamlin hangs in there on the outside, through 3 and 4, drag race and Kyle Busch wins!
Toyota Owners 400 Results
1 - Kyle Busch (4 Laps Led)
2 - Denny Hamlin (20 Laps Led)
3 - Kurt Busch
4 - Matt DiBenedetto (119 Laps Led/Stage 1 Winner)
5 - Kyle Larson
6 - William Byron (39 Laps Led)
7 - Corey Heim (R)
8 - Jimmie Johnson
9 - Ryan Blaney
10 - Joey Logano (218 Laps Led/Stage 2 Winner)
11 - Todd Gilliland
12 - Brad Keselowski
13 - Ty Gibbs (R)
14 - Noah Gragson
15 - John Hunter Nemechek
16 - Kasey Kahne
17 - Chase Elliott
18 - Martin Truex Jr
19 - Tyler Reddick
20 - Justin Haley
21 - Chase Briscoe
22 - Gracie Trotter (-1)
23 - Zane Smith (R)(-1)
24 - Brett Moffitt (-2)
25 - Kaz Grala (-2)
26 - Ross Chastain (-2)
27 - Casey Atwood (-2)
28 - Shane Van Gisbergen (-3)
29 - Matt Kenseth (-3)
30 - Sheldon Creed (R)(-3)
31 - Paul Menard (-4)
32 - Anthony Alfredo (-4)
33 - Myatt Snider (-5)
34 - Michael McDowell (-6)
35 - Parker Kligerman (-6)
36 - Ryan Sieg (R)(-7)
37 - Landon Cassill (-7)
38 - Matt Tifft (-8)
39 - David Ragan (-8)
40 - Christopher Bell (-17)
41 - Hailie Deegan (-35)
DNF
42 - Tyler Ankrum
43 - Chris Buescher
Comment