Heat Races, Main Event All Part of New Format Changes to the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series Race
What do two heat races and a 140-lap main event equal? A new and exciting experience for race fans. That’s what the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash is bringing to Richmond International Raceway on Saturday, April 23. The ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race is one of only four Dash 4 Cash races for the 2016 season, bringing with it a new on-track race format specific to these four races.
Drivers in the NASCAR XFINITY Series will compete in two heat races to determine the starting order for the main event, which will be 140 laps of beating and banging to see who ends up in Victory Lane and who will get the cash prize. Series rookies, like Erik Jones, will battle with veterans of the series like Elliott Sadler to see who comes out on top as the big winner.
“By having the Dash 4 Cash here at RIR, it brings a new, exciting format to our race fans,” said Dennis Bickmeier, President of Richmond International Raceway. “NASCAR could have picked any track on the circuit and they picked Richmond for this unique opportunity. Many of our fans grew up watching this type of format at local short tracks, and I’m sure new fans will enjoy the high level of drama this format will certainly create. This change to the Saturday ToyotaCare 250 aligns with many new and exciting changes for the April race weekend in Richmond.”
So, how’s it all going down? Here’s how one driver will end up with big money:
- Drivers will participate in three rounds of knockout group qualifying to set the 40-car field. The fastest after the three rounds will be awarded the Coors Light Pole Award.
- From qualifying, the odd number position qualifiers (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc.) in respective order, will run in the first heat race, and the even number position qualifiers (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc.) in respective order, will run the second heat race.
- Heat #1 will consist of 35 laps, where caution laps count. After the race is complete, there will be a 15 minute break.
- Heat #2 will also be 35 laps, where caution laps count. After this heat, there will be a 20 minute break.
- The starting order for the final 140-lap Main Event will be determined by the finishing positions of the Heat races, with the top two NASCAR XFINITY Series regulars in each Heat becoming eligible for the Dash 4 Cash bonus.
- Then comes the Main Event. A 140-lap dash with side-by-side racing to see who will grab the checkered flag and the Dash 4 Cash prize.
- The total number of laps at RIR will be 210, which puts the event at nearly 250 kilometers (based on where the line is measured).
The highest finishing driver among the four Dash 4 Cash eligible drivers will be awarded a $100,000 bonus, which means there could be two different winners at RIR on Saturday, April 23 – The ToyotaCare 250 race winner AND the NASCAR XFINITY Series Dash 4 Cash winner.
“We appreciate the opportunity to be part of this format change and applaud NASCAR and XFINITY for their innovation in bringing this excitement to the fans,” added Bickmeier. “Given our long history in the sport, I’m certain this format change will resonate with our fans. This will be one of those ‘I was there when’ moments.”
So don’t wait, click here to get your tickets to be part of this historical event at RIR! Advance general admission tickets are $30 and advance reserved tickets are $40. Kids 12 and younger are FREE in general admission seating areas for the ToyotaCare 250.
Then come back out and join us as Sunday racing returns to Richmond with the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on April 24. Advance tickets start at $35. Kids 12 and younger are $25 off in every reserved grandstand section. Click here to join us in making new memories in 2016.
