The 2024 NASCAR season has been incredibly competitive so far, with five different winners in the first six Cup Series races. The intense side-by-side racing has led to record-breaking numbers for average lap leaders per race (13) and average lead changes (31.33) through the opening portion of the schedule. Expect that intense level of competition to continue this weekend with the Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 and Xfinity Series ToyotaCare 250 at Richmond Raceway’s 3/4-mile short track.

In the Cup Series, all eyes will be on young gun Ty Gibbs, who sits just five points behind the standings lead despite not having won a race yet. The 21-year-old Joe Gibbs Racing driver has been stellar across all track types so far, with five top-10 finishes being the most of any driver. He won the 2022 Xfinity race by leading 114 laps winning his 7th race in only 25 attempts. But Gibbs will have to beat out a stout group of Richmond veterans like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., who have combined for 13 prior wins at the Virginia short track.

The Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon could be a preview of future Cup Series stars. Championship leader Austin Hill is still seeking his first Richmond win for Richard Childress Racing. But former Richmond winners like Chandler Smith, Cole Custer and Justin Allgaier will look to gain ground in the standings. Smith took the checkered flag in this race last year for his first career Xfinity win.

Additionally, this weekend brings a mix of new talent to the Xfinity Series. Late model standout Bubba Pollard will make his national series debut for JR Motorsports. The short track superstar has over 100 career wins but has never raced at Richmond before in any series. He’ll be joined by NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series playoff contender Taylor Gray, who is driving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

With short track racing producing intense side-by-side battling and beating and banging, don’t be surprised if more records for lead changes and green flag passes for the lead fall again this weekend at the Richmond 3/4-mile oval’s narrow groove. Last year’s spring race set the record with 35 green flag passes for the lead. Buckle up for what should be another wildly competitive NASCAR weekend at Richmond.