NASCAR Short Trackin’ Under the Lights Saturday Night at Richmond Raceway

Richmond Raceway
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com)

It’s another week short trackin’ as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series goes under the lights Saturday night at Richmond Raceway in the Toyota Owners 400.

It is a short turn-around for the drivers and teams after rain forced the Food City 500 to be completed Monday afternoon (4/16) at Bristol Motor Speedway. Pair that fact with the next race being one day earlier and that might have some teams scrambling to get ready.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

The good or bad part if this scenario (depending on one’s viewpoint) is that memories and tempers will remain fresh from the beating and banging that happened in the last race as the drivers take the green flag for this race. That could lead to some “payback” moves during the race.

One thing is certain, this year’s April race at Richmond will differ from last year’s race that was held on a Sunday afternoon. The cars will be faster and tighter without the sun warming the track. This year’s April race at Richmond will be more like the 2017 September night race at the track.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

There is room to go two and even three wide under the green flag at the race. However, making it four wide (although there is enough room for it) is a risky gamble that could pay off big, but could just as easily have a disastrous outcome for the driver that takes the chance and any cars around it. The only safe time for four wide at Richmond is during a salute to the fans in the parade laps.

Let’s take a look at the track and race specifics for this week’s race.

Richmond Raceway Data
Track Size: 0.75-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 14 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length:  1,290 feet
Backstretch Length:  860 feet

Toyota Owners 400 Data
Season Race #: 09 of 36 (04-21-18)
Race Length: 400 laps / 300 miles
Stage 1 and 2 Length: 100 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 200 laps

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

Now here is a look at the top 10 performers at Richmond Raceway in NASCAR’s top division among active drivers during their racing careers.

Top 10 Driver Ratings at Richmond
Kyle Busch…………………………. 109.7
Kevin Harvick……………………… 109.6
Denny Hamlin……………………… 109.3
Brad Keselowski……………………. 97.3
Kurt Busch…………………………… 94.8
Kyle Larson………………………….. 93.0
Clint Bowyer…………………………. 92.7
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 90.1
Ryan Newman………………………. 89.6
Joey Logano…………………………. 88.2
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2017 races (26 total) among active drivers at Richmond Raceway.

Kyle Busch leads all active drivers for most career wins at Richmond having captured the checkered flag four times. He has won that past two races this season and will try to add to both totals this week.

Kevin Harvick launched the 2018 NASCAR Cup Season winning races number two, three and four of the season. Since then he has had bad luck and mistakes that have kept him from Victory Lane. He has three previous wins at this track and I’m sure would like to get back to his early season winning ways.

Jimmie Johnson and Denny Hamlin have three wins apiece at Richmond as well on their racing resumes, but neither have a 2018 win. Both will be looking to change that Saturday night.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

Joey Logano won only one race in 2017, this race. It was his second Richmond win of his career. However, that win was encumbered due to a NASCAR rule infraction for a part found on his car in post-race inspection and did not count toward getting him into the 2017 Chase. He missed the playoffs as a result. Winning the race for a second year in a row would be some redemption for Joey.

Clint Bowyer and Kurt Busch have each won twice at the track previously. Clint has a win in 2018 and would love to add to his Richmond resume and pad his points for the 2018 playoffs. Kurt would all but lock himself into the playoffs by adding to his own Richmond resume.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images)

Kyle Larson has won only a single time at Richmond Raceway and it was the last time the NASCAR Cup Series competed at the track in September of last year. It was the final race of the 2017 regular season and Larson’s fourth win of the regular season. He has yet to win in 2018 although he looked to be on his way Monday at Bristol. Kyle Busch did a “bump and run” move to get around Larson for the final six laps of that race to get the win. Remember the previously mentioned “fresh memories and tempers”? This could potentially be one of those situations for Larson towards Busch.

Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne and Brad Keselowski all have a single career Richmond Raceway win during their NASCAR Cup Series careers. Each would no doubt like to double that total by scoring their first 2018 win at the same time this week.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400
(Photo courtesy of NASCARmedia.com/by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

Which drivers will bump and run, beat and bang, pass and get passed, spin and crash? All of this is possible and even likely once the green flag drops to start the Toyota Owners 400 Saturday night, April 21st starting at 5:30 PM central time (6:30 PM eastern time) at Richmond Raceway in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

By: Buck Stevens