The 2023 Shriners Children's 200 was the 11th stock car race of the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the 42nd iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Darlington, South Carolina at Darlington Raceway, a permanent egg-shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 147 laps to complete. In an exciting last-lap battle, Kyle Larson, driving for Kaulig Racing, would capture the win after making contact with John Hunter Nemechek on the final turn, causing Nemechek to spin on the frontstretch. This was Larson's 14th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win, and his first of the season. Larson and Nemechek would dominate the majority of the race, leading 46 and 57 laps, respectively. To fill out the podium, Justin Allgaier, driving for JR Motorsports, and Cole Custer, driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, would finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Background Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed "The Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition." It is of a unique, somewhat egg-shaped design, an oval with the ends of very different configurations, a condition which supposedly arose from the proximity of one end of the track to a minnow pond the owner refused to relocate. This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that is effective at both ends.
Entry list
(R) denotes rookie driver. (i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
#DriverTeamMakeSponsor or throwback00Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFordHaas Automation - Jason Leffler's 2004 No. 00 Haas Automation paint scheme1Sam MayerJR MotorsportsChevroletAccelerate Pros Talent - Kurt Busch's 2001 No. 97 Sharpie/Rubbermaid paint scheme02Blaine PerkinsOur MotorsportsChevroletPayDay - Kevin Harvick's 2003 No. 21 PayDay paint scheme2Sheldon CreedRichard Childress RacingChevroletWhelen - Kevin Harvick's 2001 No. 2 ACDelco paint scheme3Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevroletFerris Commercial Mowers - Tribute to Ferris' first race as a sponsor in 20034Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevroletTrophy Tractor6Brennan PooleJD MotorsportsChevrolet511Auction.com07Stefan ParsonsSS-Green Light RacingChevroletOllie's Bargain Outlet7Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevroletBRANDT Heritage - Homage to the 70th anniversary of BRANDT Professional Agriculture08Gray GauldingSS-Green Light RacingFordPanini Group8Josh BerryJR MotorsportsChevroletTire Pros Love the Drive - Hut Stricklin's 1996-1998 No. 8 Circuit City paint scheme9Brandon JonesJR MotorsportsChevroletCheez-It, Menards10Kyle Larson (i)Kaulig RacingChevroletHendrickCars.com 11Daniel HemricKaulig RacingChevroletCirkul16Chandler Smith (R)Kaulig RacingChevroletQuick Tie Productions18Sammy Smith (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyotaPilot Flying J - Homage to the 65th anniversary of Pilot Flying J19Ryan TruexJoe Gibbs RacingToyotaToyota Outfitters20John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyotaPye-Barker Fire & Safety21Austin HillRichard Childress RacingChevroletBennett Transportation - Kevin Harvick's 2006 No. 21 Coast Guard paint scheme24Corey Heim (i)Sam Hunt RacingToyotaGearWrench25Brett MoffittAM RacingFordAM Technical Solutions - Tim Richmond's 1986-1987 No. 25 Folgers paint scheme26Kaz GralaSam Hunt RacingToyotaFire Department Coffee - Vintage firetruck dedicating NASCAR fire and safety workers paint scheme27Jeb BurtonJordan Anderson RacingChevroletCapital City Towing28Kyle SiegRSS RacingFordCedar Ridge Landscaping31Parker Retzlaff (R)Jordan Anderson RacingChevroletFUNKAWAY35Patrick EmerlingEmerling-Gase MotorsportsChevroletEmerling-Gase Motorsports38Joe Graf Jr.RSS RacingFordBethel Motor Speedway - Tribute to Graf's early legends car paint scheme39Ryan SiegRSS RacingFordCMR Construction & Roofing43Ryan EllisAlpha Prime RacingChevroletKeen Parts - Kevin Harvick's 2005 No. 29 GM Goodwrench Quicksilver paint scheme44Sage KaramAlpha Prime RacingChevroletCRC Brakleen - Richard Childress' 1980 No. 3 CRC paint scheme45Jeffrey EarnhardtAlpha Prime RacingChevroletBZ Mart, ForeverLawn - Dale Earnhardt's 1997 No. 3 Wheaties The Winston paint scheme48Parker KligermanBig Machine RacingChevroletBig Machine Spiked Coolers51Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevroletFirst Pacific Funding - Geoff Bodine's 1985-1989 No. 5 Levi Garrett paint scheme53Matt Mills (i)Emerling-Gase MotorsportsFordJ. F. Electric - Herbie's paint scheme from Herbie: Fully Loaded66Chad FinchumMBM MotorsportsFordWild Willies - Eric McClure's 2011 No. 14 Hefty Black Out paint scheme74Dawson CramCHK RacingChevroletMagnum Contracting - Bob Keselowski's 1989 No. 29 Mopar paint scheme77Carson Hocevar (i)Spire MotorsportsChevroletPremier Security Solutions78Anthony AlfredoB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevroletDude Wipes - Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 2017 No. 88 Nationwide paint scheme91Ross Chastain (i)DGM RacingChevroletFlorida Watermelon Association92Josh WilliamsDGM RacingChevroletCall 811 Before You Dig - Kevin Harvick's 2005 No. 29 Pelon Pelo Rico paint scheme98Riley HerbstStewart-Haas RacingFordMonster Energy - Tribute to Ken Block's rally car from Gymkhana 3Official entry list
Practice The first and only practice session was held on Friday, May 12, at 5:05 PM EST, and would last for 20 minutes. Ryan Truex, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would set the fastest time in the session, with a lap of 29.874, and an average speed of . Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed119Ryan TruexJoe Gibbs RacingToyota29.874164.611220John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyota30.061163.58737Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet30.143163.142Full practice results
Qualifying Qualifying was held on Friday, May 12, at 5:35 PM EST. Since Darlington Raceway is an intermediate racetrack, the qualifying system used is a single-car, single-lap system with only one round. In that round, whoever sets the fastest time will win the pole. John Hunter Nemechek, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would score the pole for the race, with a lap of 29.613, and an average speed of . Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed120John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyota29.613166.062219Ryan TruexJoe Gibbs RacingToyota29.754165.275310Kyle Larson (i)Kaulig RacingChevrolet29.789165.08141Sam MayerJR MotorsportsChevrolet29.849164.749500Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFord29.880164.578616Chandler Smith (R)Kaulig RacingChevrolet29.945164.22172Sheldon CreedRichard Childress RacingChevrolet29.950164.194831Parker Retzlaff (R)Jordan Anderson RacingChevrolet30.062163.582918Sammy Smith (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota30.111163.3161021Austin HillRichard Childress RacingChevrolet30.147163.121119Brandon JonesJR MotorsportsChevrolet30.168163.0071211Daniel HemricKaulig RacingChevrolet30.173162.980138Josh BerryJR MotorsportsChevrolet30.187162.9051425Brett MoffittAM RacingFord30.202162.8241527Jeb BurtonJordan Anderson RacingChevrolet30.214162.7591639Ryan SiegRSS RacingFord30.231162.667177Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet30.261162.5061898Riley HerbstStewart-Haas RacingFord30.276162.4261951Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevrolet30.324162.1692078Anthony AlfredoB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet30.379161.8752191Ross Chastain (i)DGM RacingChevrolet30.403161.7472244Sage KaramAlpha Prime RacingChevrolet30.412161.6992348Parker KligermanBig Machine RacingChevrolet30.476161.3602424Corey Heim (i)Sam Hunt RacingToyota30.523161.1112577Carson Hocevar (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet30.543161.0062626Kaz GralaSam Hunt RacingToyota30.592160.7482792Josh WilliamsDGM RacingChevrolet30.642160.4862807Stefan ParsonsSS-Green Light RacingChevrolet30.651160.4382928Kyle SiegRSS RacingFord30.904159.125303Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet30.919159.0483135Patrick EmerlingEmerling-Gase MotorsportsChevrolet30.961158.8323243Ryan EllisAlpha Prime RacingChevrolet30.993158.6683345Jeffrey EarnhardtAlpha Prime RacingChevrolet31.252157.353Qualified by owner's points3453Matt Mills (i)Emerling-Gase MotorsportsFord31.407156.577356Brennan PooleJD MotorsportsChevrolet31.442156.4023608Gray GauldingSS-Green Light RacingFord31.520156.0153738Joe Graf Jr.RSS RacingFord––3802Blaine PerkinsOur MotorsportsChevrolet––Failed to qualify394Garrett SmithleyJD MotorsportsChevrolet31.387156.6764066Chad FinchumMBM MotorsportsFord31.466156.2834174Dawson CramCHK RacingChevrolet31.729154.988Official qualifying resultsOfficial starting lineup
Race results Stage 1 Laps: 45 Pos.#DriverTeamMakePts110Kyle Larson (i)Kaulig RacingChevrolet0220John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyota9321Austin HillRichard Childress RacingChevrolet8400Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFord751Sam MayerJR MotorsportsChevrolet6619Ryan TruexJoe Gibbs RacingToyota572Sheldon CreedRichard Childress RacingChevrolet489Brandon JonesJR MotorsportsChevrolet3911Daniel HemricKaulig RacingChevrolet21025Brett MoffittAM RacingFord1 Stage 2 Laps: 45 Pos.#DriverTeamMakePts120John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyota10210Kyle Larson (i)Kaulig RacingChevrolet037Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet841Sam MayerJR MotorsportsChevrolet7500Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFord6621Austin HillRichard Childress RacingChevrolet5739Ryan SiegRSS RacingFord488Josh BerryJR MotorsportsChevrolet3948Parker KligermanBig Machine RacingChevrolet21018Sammy Smith (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota1
Stage 3 Laps: 57 Pos.St#DriverTeamMakeLapsLedStatusPts1310Kyle Larson (i)Kaulig RacingChevrolet14746Running02177Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet1472Running433500Cole CusterStewart-Haas RacingFord1470Running4741021Austin HillRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1472Running465120John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyota14757Running5162577Carson Hocevar (i)Spire MotorsportsChevrolet1473Running07138Josh BerryJR MotorsportsChevrolet1470Running33841Sam MayerJR MotorsportsChevrolet14735Running4292626Kaz GralaSam Hunt RacingToyota1470Running28102424Corey Heim (i)Sam Hunt RacingToyota1470Running2711918Sammy Smith (R)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota1470Running27121527Jeb BurtonJordan Anderson RacingChevrolet1470Running25132348Parker KligermanBig Machine RacingChevrolet1470Running26141951Jeremy ClementsJeremy Clements RacingChevrolet1471Running23152078Anthony AlfredoB. J. McLeod MotorsportsChevrolet1470Running22161211Daniel HemricKaulig RacingChevrolet1470Running23172792Josh WilliamsDGM RacingChevrolet1470Running20182191Ross Chastain (i)DGM RacingChevrolet1470Running019303Ty Dillon (i)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet1470Running0201425Brett MoffittAM RacingFord1470Running18213135Patrick EmerlingEmerling-Gase MotorsportsChevrolet1471Running16222807Stefan ParsonsSS-Green Light RacingChevrolet1470Running1523356Brennan PooleJD MotorsportsChevrolet1470Running1424831Parker Retzlaff (R)Jordan Anderson RacingChevrolet1470Running132572Sheldon CreedRichard Childress RacingChevrolet1470Running16263345Jeffrey EarnhardtAlpha Prime RacingChevrolet1470Running11271639Ryan SiegRSS RacingFord1460Running14283453Matt Mills (i)Emerling-Gase MotorsportsFord1460Running0293608Gray GauldingSS-Green Light RacingFord1461Running8302928Kyle SiegRSS RacingFord1460Running7312244Sage KaramAlpha Prime RacingChevrolet1440Running6323738Joe Graf Jr.RSS RacingFord1400Accident5333243Ryan EllisAlpha Prime RacingChevrolet740Accident434119Brandon JonesJR MotorsportsChevrolet680Accident635219Ryan TruexJoe Gibbs RacingToyota680Accident736616Chandler Smith (R)Kaulig RacingChevrolet670Accident1373802Blaine PerkinsOur MotorsportsChevrolet350Suspension1381898Riley HerbstStewart-Haas RacingFord200Accident1Official race results
Standings after the race
Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points 1 1 John Hunter Nemechek 424 1 2 Austin Hill 423 (-1) 2 3 Justin Allgaier 371 (–53) 4 Josh Berry 367 (–57) 1 5 Cole Custer 365 (–59) 3 6 Chandler Smith 340 (–84) 7 Sheldon Creed 330 (–94) 1 8 Sammy Smith 323 (–101) 1 9 Riley Herbst 313 (–111) 1 10 Sam Mayer 309 (–115) 1 11 Daniel Hemric 307 (–117) 2 12 Parker Kligerman 274 (–150)Official driver's standings