John Hunter Nemechek scores dominant Martinsville Xfinity victory

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — John Hunter Nemechek led 198 of 250 laps, won both stages and took the checkered flag in Saturday night’s Xfinity Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

He also won the $100,000 Dash 4 Cash bonus.

And had a spectacular burnout that caught his car and portions of the track on fire.

Rookie Sammy Smith got by Cole Custer on the last lap for second place. This is the second time Joe Gibbs Racing has placed first and second in the Xfinity Series this season. The previous time happened at Phoenix.

Custer, who started on the pole, placed third. Josh Barry finished fourth. Brandon Jones was fifth.

The drivers eligible for the Dash 4 Cash bonus next weekend at Talladega will be Nemechek, Smith, Custer and Barry.

Stage 1 winner: John Hunter Nemechek

Stage 2 winner: John Hunter Nemechek

Who had a good race: Derek Kraus finished eighth, giving him top 10s in both of his Xfinity starts. … Winner John Hunter Nemechek has placed either first or second in four of the first eight races. … Cole Custer scored his second consecutive top-five finish. … Blaine Perkins finished a season-best 13th.

Next: The series races April 22 at Talladega Superspeedway (4 p.m. ET on FS1).

#NASCAR … Left rear tire of winner John Hunter Nemechek’s car after that burnout. pic.twitter.com/CYV3jnXfs8

— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) April 16, 2023

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — John Hunter Nemechek won his second Xfinity Series race of the season, leading 198 of 250 laps to take the checkered flag and the $100,00 Dash 4 Cash bonus Saturday night at Martinsville Speedway.

Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Sammy Smith finished second, giving the organization its second 1-2 finish of the year. Cole Custer, who started on the pole, finished third. JR Motorsports