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NASCAR Xfinity Series News & Notes – Off Weekend, Looking Toward Daytona

NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Wawa 250NASCAR Xfinity Series

Next Race: Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola
The Place: Daytona International Speedway
Track Length: 2.5 Mile Asphalt Oval
The Date: Friday, August 22
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Purse: $1,651,939
TV: CW, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 250 miles (100 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 30),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 60), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 100)

Where To Watch NASCAR This Weekend:

Friday, August 15

NCTS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (FS2 at 2 p.m. ET)

NCS Practice & Busch Light Pole Qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM at 4:30 p.m. ET)

NCTS Race: eero 250 (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Saturday, August 16

NCS Race: Cook Out 400 (USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Looking Ahead – Daytona International Speedway Storylines and Insights:Daytona International Speedway

  • Next weekend marks the 68th running of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
  • Three races are left in the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025 regular season – Daytona, Portland and St. Louis (Gateway), and four Playoff spots remain open.
  • Connor Zilisch leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver point standings by seven points over his JR Motorsport’s teammate Justin Allgaier in second following Watkins Glen.
  • Connor Zilisch underwent collarbone surgery Tuesday (Aug. 12) morning, the No. 88 JR Motorsports driver announced on social media. JR Motorsports has not announced if Zilisch will miss time as a result of the operation.
  • Prior to Connor Zilisch taking the points lead following Iowa (two races ago), Justin Allgaier held the points lead for 17 consecutive races dating back to Las Vegas.
  • Jesse Love is the most recent Xfinity Series winner at Daytona International Speedway (Feb.), Love’s two career Xfinity wins have come at Drafting Tracks (Talladega 2024, Daytona 2025).
  • Austin Hill leads all active drivers in Xfinity Series wins at Daytona International Speedway with three; NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds the series record for the most wins at Daytona with six.
  • Richard Childress Racing has won three of the four Drafting Track (Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta) races this season; and nine of the last 15 Drafting Track Xfinity Series races since the start of 2023 (60%).
  • Harrison Burton (12th) gained 13 points to the Playoff cut line with a 10th-place finish at Watkins Glen and now sits +30.
  • Jeb Burton (13th) lost 11 points to the Playoff cut line with a 16th-place finish at Watkins Glen and now sits -30.

NXS Clinch Scenarios Following Watkins Glen International:

Already Clinched

  • The following eight drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Jesse Love, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Nicholas Sanchez.

Can Clinch Via Win

  • The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Carson Kvapil, Sheldon Creed, Taylor Gray, Harrison Burton, Jeb Burton, Ryan Sieg, Christian Eckes, Dean Thompson, Daniel Dye, Brennan Poole, Jeremy Clements, William Sawalich, Anthony Alfredo, Matt DiBenedetto, Parker Retzlaff, Kyle Sieg, Blaine Perkins, Ryan Ellis.

NASCAR & Richmond, Etc.

Historical and Significant Events at Richmond Raceway:

  • NASCAR Cup (Grand National) Series racing at Richmond Raceway began on April 19th, 1953 – won by Lee Petty at what was then the ‘Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds’.
  • The track was a ½ mile dirt track thru the first race of the 1968 season, 24 races.
  • For the fall 1988 race the ½ mile oval track was reconfigured to its current shape and geometry.
  • The first race ever held at Richmond was during the 1946 Exposition on October 12th for open wheel cars (pre-NASCAR), won by the legendary Ted Horn.
  • In 1955 Paul Sawyer, operator of several racetracks and Virginia native Joe Weatherly, leased the Fairgrounds Raceway.  The Sawyer family operated the track under a lease from the Atlantic Rural Exposition Inc. 1955-1998.  Grandstand capacity in 1955 was 2,500. In 1998, the family acquired the property for $47 million.
  • In 1999, International Speedway Corporation (now NASCAR) bought the Raceway.
  • Races have been at the 200, 250, 300 400 and 500 lap distance. The 400-lap distance has been in effect since 1976, on the ½ mile track from 1976 to spring 1988 and on the ¾ mile since September 1988.
  • From 1970 to 1997 the ‘spring’ race was held in February or March. Richmond was the next race after the Daytona 500 for 18 of the 22 seasons from 1970-1991.
  • The Richmond Raceway is located in Henrico County at the “Richmond Raceway Complex “. The 900-acre complex has six permanent buildings including the 60,000 square foot Exhibition Hall and the 8,000 seat Classic Amphitheater.
  • In addition to racing the complex hosts trade shows, concerts, corporate meetings and festivals. Richmond Gun Show, Ladybug Fund Wine Tasting, The Bizarre Bazaar’s ® Spring Market, Virginia Assoc of Meeting Professionals International, Richmond Antique Extravaganza, Chilli Cookoff 2014, Glow Run 5k, Rev3 Rush Triathlon, Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival, Blue Crab Cluster Dog Show, Brantley Gilbert Tour, National Civil War & Antique Arms Show, Richmond Reptile Expo, are just a few of the 120+ events held at the complex each year.
  • The first scheduled night race on the ¾ mile was September 1991, won by Harry Gant the second win in his streak of four straight wins that month.  March 10, 1964 is the actual date of the first ‘night race’ at Richmond when the final 100 laps were completed on Tuesday night after rain halted the race on Sunday.
  • Between races in 2003 SAFER barriers were installed, a new infield care center was built, and the pit stalls were changed to concrete.
  • The entire backstretch grandstands were removed following the 2015 season this followed the removal of the turn three grandstands in 2014.  The removal of the backstretch grandstands reduced seating capacity by 9,000 seats.
  • In July of 2017, the details of the $30 million infield redevelopment project were revealed.  The new attractions launched during NASCAR’s Playoff weekend in September 2018.
  • A redesigned infield that will bring fans closer to teams and the inspection process
  • Expansive Richmond infield social and engagement areas with concessions
  • Victory lane will be moved closer to the grand stands in turn 1
  • 80-person club with roof access overlooking victory lane
  • New media center
  • New backstretch crossover gate and a new pedestrian tunnel
  • 80 new consumer RV spaces
  • Party Deck in turn 4

Latest Track News at Richmond Raceway:

NASCAR Youth Series to compete at Richmond Raceway

  • Richmond Raceway has announced that the NASCAR Youth Series presented by Cook Out will showcase the sport’s stars of tomorrow August 14-16. Drivers ages 5-16 will race in the drift and bus parking lots near Laburnum Lot C, providing fans with even more action leading up to the Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series Race on Saturday. This event is FREE for spectators.
  • The NASCAR Youth Series presented by Cook Out is the sanctioning body for the quarter-midget racing division of the United States Auto Club (USAC). It is a family-oriented motorsport that involves children ages 5-16 racing in specially prepared cars. The cars, rules and safety procedures are designed specifically for kids.
  • Quarter-midget racing is divided into 15 classes/divisions. Kids typically race on oval dirt, concrete or asphalt tracks approximately 1/20th of a mile long. With almost 60 NASCAR Youth Series-sanctioned clubs located all across the country, thousands of kids ages five and up, along with their families, participate in quarter-midget racing.
  • A quarter-midget car is a scaled down version of an actual midget racer. The cars are built around a tubular frame and are fully suspended with springs or torsion bars and shocks. The bodies are fiberglass. The engines are single cylinder and are manufactured by Honda and Briggs & Stratton.

Richmond Raceway, NASCAR to host several community events

  • As NASCAR returns to Richmond Raceway Aug. 14-16, the track and the sport will band together to make a difference within the community. Race week events include:
  • Tuesday, August 12 – Track Laps for Charity featuring Chase Briscoe: From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., motorists can drive their personal vehicles five laps around the ¾-mile D-shaped oval for just a $20 donation. The event will feature an appearance from Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry XSE. All proceeds will benefit Victory Junction Camp and Richmond Raceway Cares. To register, visit https://www.richmondraceway.com/tracklaps/.
  • Wednesday, August 13 – Finish Line Party at Q-Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel: Kick off NASCAR Weekend in Richmond at Q-Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel (201 W Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220) with themed cocktails and rooftop vibes. Join us for all the fun as we get revved up to race. This event is FREE to attend, with drinks and food for purchase. Street parking is limited. Paid surface lot and valet parking are available.  Rideshare is encouraged.
  • Friday, August 15 – The NASCAR Foundation Speediatrics Fun Day Festival: On Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, The NASCAR Foundation will host kids from the Peter Paul Development Center at the Richmond Raceway Fan Zone for the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival. The NASCAR-themed field day inside the NASCAR Experience display promotes healthy lifestyle habits for children in local racing communities through racing-themed lifestyle programming.
  • Friday, August 15 – Who’s Your Driver? Tailgate w/ Ross Chastain: On Friday at 2 p.m., meet Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, for a fun filled tailgate in Lot D parking area, just outside the Fan Zone entrance and sign up to make your safe driving pledge. Who’s Your Driver? is a sober and safe driving initiative from DRIVE SMART Virginia, a non-profit organization with a mission to eliminate alcohol-related crashes and to educate citizens on safe driving practices.
  • Friday & Saturday, August 15 & 16 – NASC’Art & Car Show: New this year as part of the free race weekend Fan Zone, Richmond Raceway has partnered with Crossroads Gallery for a juror art show themed around speed and racing.  Come see one-of-a-kind works from 34 nationally selected artists on exhibit alongside classic, vintage and other racing automobiles. The show can also be viewed online HERE.
  • Saturday, August 16 – Brittany Anderson Celebrity Guest Chef Appearance in Torque Club: Brittanny Anderson, Food Network’s Triple Threat winner who defeated Bobby Flay’s Titans, will be cooking up some small bites to share along with some of her culinary wisdom with Torque Club guests from 3– 6p.m., prior to the green flag dropping for the Cook Out 400. You may also remember Brittanny from other Food Network competitions, Tournament of Champions, Iron Chef America, Last Bite Hotel, 24 in 24; as well as Bravo TV’s Top Chef Season 18. She is the Chef and Owner of several renowned local restaurants including Metzger Bar and Butchery, Brenner Pass, Black Lodge and The Pink Room.

eero becomes entitlement partner for NCTS Regular Season Finale

  • Richmond Raceway has announced that eero, an Amazon company and pioneer in whole-home mesh Wi-Fi systems, will become the entitlement partner for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Finale on Friday, Aug. 15. The official name of the race will be the eero 250.
  • eero is famed for revolutionizing home Wi-Fi with the introduction of the first mesh system in 2016, making connectivity faster, more dependable, and easier to manage. As a brand committed to seamless internet coverage, eero’s partnership with Richmond Raceway underscores the company’s continued investment in innovation and community engagement in high-energy, tech-forward environments like NASCAR.

Who’s Your Driver returns as presenting partner

  • Richmond Raceway has announced that Who’s Your Driver, the sober and safe driving initiative created by DRIVE SMART Virgina, will return as the presenting partner for this summer’s NASCAR race weekend at Richmond Raceway, Aug. 14-16. It will once again be deemed the NASCAR Weekend at Richmond Raceway presented by Who’s Your Driver.
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