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The Dynamics of Speed

An in-depth analysis of the Go Bowling 250, a significant event in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, exploring its history, evolution, and key statistics.

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About the Race

An Xfinity Series Staple

The Go Bowling 250 was a prominent stock car race within the NASCAR Xfinity Series, held annually at the Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. This event typically occurred on the evening preceding the NASCAR Cup Series' Federated Auto Parts 400, establishing a weekend of high-octane racing.

Sponsored by "Go Bowling," the race was a significant fixture on the Xfinity Series calendar from its inception until its final running in 2021, where Noah Gragson claimed victory.

Evolution and Discontinuation

The race underwent several significant schedule realignments throughout its history. In 2018, it gained increased prominence by becoming the inaugural race of the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs, a critical juncture for championship contenders.

By 2020, further adjustments led to it being the sole Xfinity Series event at Richmond Raceway, a change that saw the track exchange a Truck Series race with Martinsville Speedway. Ultimately, in 2022, the September Xfinity Series race at Richmond was moved to the spring, marking the first time in the series' history that a fall race was not held at the venue.

Key Race Metrics

The Go Bowling 250 was contested over a distance of 187.5 miles (approximately 301.8 kilometers), comprising 250 laps on the asphalt track. The race structure typically included two stages of 75 laps each, culminating in a final stage of 100 laps, providing ample opportunity for strategic racing and dramatic finishes.

Historical Context

A Legacy of Names

Over its nearly four-decade run, the race at Richmond Raceway adopted various names, reflecting changes in sponsorship and series evolution. From its debut as the "Harvest 150" in 1982 to its final iteration as the "Go Bowling 250," each name marks a chapter in its storied past.

  • Harvest 150 (1982)
  • Miller Time 150 (1983)
  • Miller 150 (1984)
  • 7-Eleven 150 (1985)
  • Freedlander 200 (1986โ€“1987)
  • Commonwealth 200 (1988โ€“1989)
  • Autolite 200 (1990โ€“1992)
  • Autolite 250 (1993โ€“1995)
  • Autolite Platinum 250 (1996โ€“1999)
  • Autolite / Fram 250 (2000โ€“2001)
  • Funai 250 (2002โ€“2003)
  • Emerson Radio 250 (2004โ€“2008)
  • Virginia 529 College Savings 250 (2009โ€“2017)

Notable Race Events

The Go Bowling 250 and its predecessors witnessed several memorable moments and unique circumstances that shaped its history, from weather-related delays to landmark achievements.

  • 1987: The race was shortened due to rain and marked the final event on the original half-mile track layout.
  • 1991: This year saw the race transition to a Friday night event, a format that often added to the excitement.
  • 1996: A power outage necessitated the postponement of the race from Friday to Sunday.
  • 2005 & 2007: Both races extended beyond their scheduled laps due to NASCAR's overtime rules, leading to thrilling finishes.
  • 2008: Rain from Hurricane Hanna caused the race to be postponed from Friday to Sunday.
  • 2013: A significant milestone, this race was the 1,000th event held in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
  • 2014: Kyle Busch delivered a dominant performance, leading all 250 laps of the race.
  • 2020: The event was part of a doubleheader weekend, with the second race replacing an event originally scheduled at Michigan International Speedway due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Richmond Raceway

Track Configuration

Richmond Raceway, located in Richmond, Virginia, is a short track renowned for its D-shaped oval layout. The track's surface is asphalt, providing a consistent and challenging environment for stock car racing. With four distinct turns, it demands precision and strategic driving from competitors.

Evolution of Length

The track's configuration has evolved over time, impacting race dynamics and historical records:

  • 1982โ€“1987: The race was held on a 0.5-mile (0.805 km) oval.
  • 1988โ€“Present: The track was reconfigured to its current 0.75-mile (1.21 km) D-shaped oval, offering a different set of challenges and increasing the overall race distance.

Past Winners

A comprehensive list of the victors of the Go Bowling 250 and its preceding iterations, showcasing the drivers, teams, and manufacturers who have left their mark on this historic race.

Race Results by Year

Year Date No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Miles (km) Race Time Average Speed (mph)
1982September 1101Butch LindleyEmanuel ZervakisPontiac15081.3 (130.839)1:03:2976.839
1983September 107Morgan ShepherdWhitaker RacingOldsmobile15081.3 (130.839)1:16:2463.848
1984September 812Tommy EllisEllis RacingPontiac15081.3 (130.839)1:14:4965.199
1985September 712Tommy EllisEllis RacingPontiac15081.3 (130.839)1:00:5480.539
1986September 68Dale EarnhardtDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet200108.4 (174.452)1:25:2376.174
1987*September 1221Mark MartinBruce LawmasterFord180*97.56 (157.007)1:28:2766.18
1988September 107Harry GantWhitaker RacingBuick200150 (241.401)1:40:3889.434
1989September 98Bobby HamiltonFILMAR RacingOldsmobile200150 (241.401)1:37:4592.071
1990September 822Rick MastA.G. Dillard MotorsportsBuick200150 (241.401)1:30:1399.759
1991*September 67Harry GantWhitaker RacingBuick200150 (241.401)1:43:4786.719
1992September 1159Robert PressleyAlliance MotorsportsOldsmobile200150 (241.401)1:34:2295.373
1993September 1060Mark MartinRoush RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)1:54:1298.511
1994September 98Kenny WallaceFILMAR RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)1:55:2497.487
1995September 832Dale JarrettDale JarrettFord250187.5 (301.752)1:47:13104.928
1996September 8*8Kenny WallaceFILMAR RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)1:51:24100.987
1997September 53Steve ParkDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:24:4277.747
1998September 113Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:17:0582.067
1999September 103Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:08:1287.754
2000September 89Jeff BurtonRoush RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)2:06:0789.203
2001September 71Jimmy SpencerPhoenix RacingChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:04:4790.156
2002September 68Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:24:0478.089
2003September 543Johnny SauterCurb RacingChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)1:53:0199.543
2004September 1055Robby GordonRobby Gordon MotorsportsChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:10:1586.372
2005*September 921Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet253*189.75 (305.373)2:08:2788.634
2006September 821Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:11:2385.627
2007*September 75Kyle BuschHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet252*189 (304.166)2:00:4593.913
2008*September 760Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)2:03:5590.787
2009September 1160Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)1:50:53101.458
2010September 1033Kevin HarvickKevin Harvick Inc.Chevrolet250187.5 (301.752)1:54:4598.039
2011September 918Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota250187.5 (301.752)2:03:4590.909
2012September 733Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:02:3991.724
2013*September 622Brad KeselowskiPenske RacingFord250187.5 (301.752)1:55:3797.304
2014September 554Kyle Busch*Joe Gibbs RacingToyota250187.5 (301.752)2:01:1192.835
2015September 119Chase ElliottJR MotorsportsChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:04:5490.072
2016September 918Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota250187.5 (301.752)1:48:30103.687
2017September 822Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord250187.5 (301.752)1:55:1597.614
2018September 2120Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingToyota250187.5 (301.752)2:03:0891.364
2019September 2020Christopher BellJoe Gibbs RacingToyota250187.5 (301.752)1:57:1695.935
2020*September 117Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:02:5991.476
2021September 119Noah GragsonJR MotorsportsChevrolet250187.5 (301.752)2:14:5783.364

Statistical Dominance

Multiple Driver Victories

Certain drivers have demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency at Richmond Raceway, securing multiple wins in this challenging Xfinity Series event.

# Wins Driver Years Won
4 Kevin Harvick 2005โ€“2006, 2010, 2012
Kyle Busch 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016
3 Dale Earnhardt Jr. 1998โ€“1999, 2002
2 Tommy Ellis 1984โ€“1985
Mark Martin 1987, 1993
Harry Gant 1988, 1991
Kenny Wallace 1994, 1996
Carl Edwards 2008โ€“2009
Brad Keselowski 2013, 2017
Christopher Bell 2018โ€“2019

Leading Team Performances

Team success is paramount in NASCAR, and several organizations have consistently fielded winning cars in the Go Bowling 250, showcasing their engineering prowess and strategic acumen.

# Wins Team Years Won
5 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. 1986, 1997โ€“1999, 2002
Joe Gibbs Racing 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018โ€“2019
4 Roush Fenway Racing 1993, 2000, 2008โ€“2009
3 Whitaker Racing 1983, 1988, 1991
FILMAR Racing 1989, 1994, 1996
Richard Childress Racing 2005โ€“2006, 2012
JR Motorsports 2015, 2020โ€“2021
2 Team Penske 2013, 2017

Dominant Manufacturers

The competitive landscape of NASCAR also highlights the strength of various automotive manufacturers, with some consistently outperforming others on the Richmond track.

# Wins Make Years Won
16 Chevrolet 1986, 1997โ€“1999, 2001โ€“2003, 2005โ€“2007, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2020โ€“2021
10 Ford 1987, 1993โ€“1996, 2000, 2008โ€“2009, 2013, 2017
5 Toyota 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018โ€“2019
3 Pontiac 1982, 1984โ€“1985
Oldsmobile 1983, 1989, 1992
Buick 1988, 1990โ€“1991

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Go Bowling 250 Wikipedia page

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