How does the NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 cash work?

The NASCAR Xfinity Series is arguably the most thrilling racing series in America. As young and aspiring drivers vie for recognition, hoping for a chance to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series (the premier racing series in NASCAR), one avenue to gain this recognition is through strong performance in the Dash 4 Cash races.

What is the Dash 4 Cash program?

Sponsored by Xfinity, Dash 4 Cash is a midseason program that financially rewards drivers for excellent performance in a select stretch of four races during the season. The program was initiated in the 2009 season to generate interest in the second-tier series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

The initial format comprised four races wherein all regular series drivers not competing full-time in the Cup Series would vie for a $25,000 bonus, in addition to their race winnings, if they emerged victorious. Since its inception, the program has undergone significant overhaul, and the current format has been in place since the 2017 season.

Dash 4 Cash format:

A qualifying race is conducted before the first official Dash 4 Cash prize race to determine the participating drivers. The top four series regulars (drivers who regularly compete in the Xfinity series) in that qualifying race qualify for the Dash 4 Cash prize race. For example, in the 2024 season, the qualifying race was held at Richmond, where series regulars Chandler Smith, Aric Almirola, Jesse Love, and Parker Kligerman finished first, second, fifth, and seventh, respectively.

Consequently, this quartet qualified for the first Dash 4 Cash prize race at Martinsville, which was won by Aric Almirola, who finished first overall in the race. The first Dash 4 Cash prize race serves as a qualifier for the subsequent race. Therefore, Aric Almirola qualified for the next Dash 4 Cash race in Texas as the winner of the prize, along with the three other highest-finishing series regulars. This qualifying cycle continues until the third Dash for Cash prize race. The winner of the Dash 4 cash prize is awarded $100000 in prize money.