With just three races remaining in the regular season and one spot in the Playoff field not filled by a driver with a win, the NASCAR Cup Series is short trackin’ this week at Richmond Raceway.
The Federated Auto Parts 400 takes place this Sunday (8/14). Things are always crazy when NASCAR hits the shot track. However, with the added pressure of making the post-season it always seems to ramp up. This year that pressure is going to be even higher with the knowledge that more than likely the phrase “win and you’re in” could change to “win or you’re NOT in.”
There are 15 drivers with at least one win this season as of last week’s win by Kevin Harvick. There will be 16 drivers on the Playoffs grid with a chance to win the championship. I have said it before this year and will say it again. Not only is there a good chance of having 16 drivers with at least one win, there could be more than that. Should 17 or more drivers win a race during the regular season, there would be a driver (or drivers) with a win that will not be a part of the Playoffs.
Here is the data that all the drivers will be facing this weekend on the track and in the race.
Richmond Raceway Data
Track Size: 0.75-mile (3/4-mile)
Banking/Turns: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,290 feet
Backstretch Length: 860 feet
Federated Auto Parts 400 Data
Season Race #: 24 of 36 (August 14, 2022)
Race Length: 400 laps / 300 miles
Stage 1 Length: 70 laps
Stage 2 Length: 160 laps
Final Stage Length: 170 laps
The 10 active drivers with the best overall driver rating at Richmond Raceway are:
Kyle Busch – 109.9
Kevin Harvick – 109.3
Denny Hamlin – 108.8
Christopher Bell – 100.6
Brad Keselowski – 99.5
Martin Truex Jr. – 95.3
Joey Logano – 93.8
Kurt Busch – 90.4
Chase Elliott – 89.0
Kyle Larson – 88.5
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-Present among active drivers at Richmond Raceway.
These are the active drivers that have won a Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.
| Kyle Busch | 6 Wins | 2018 sweep, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 |
| Denny Hamlin | 4 Wins | 2022, 2016, 2010, 2009 |
| Kevin Harvick | 3 Wins | 2013, 2011, 2006 |
| Martin Truex Jr | 3 Wins | 2021, 2019 sweep |
| Brad Keselowski | 2 Wins | 2020, 2014 |
| Joey Logano | 2 Wins | 2017, 2014 |
| Kurt Busch | 2 Wins | 2015, 2005 |
| Alex Bowman | 1 Win | 2021 |
| Kyle Larson | 1 Win | 2017 |
Richmond Raceway has recently been called “The Action Track.” Even though it is a short track at just three-quarters-of-a-mile in length, there are multiple grooves to race in. That means there is plenty of side-by-side action throughout the race.
That is exciting to watch for the fans. However, this could also be catastrophic for the drivers and teams. With so many drivers feeling the pressure to win a race to get in the Playoffs the multiple grooves to race in will also be multiple grooves to wreck in.
This will also add to the possibility of a 16th new winner for the season. Any driver could be taken out of the race by a mistake they make or somebody else makes during the race. Any driver could also find themselves racing for the win by avoiding the mishaps and being there at the end of the race.
We will see what story unfolds when the green flag waives to start the Federated Auto Parts 400 Sunday. August 14th at 2 p.m. central time (3 p.m. eastern time) from the Richmond Raceway.
By: Buck Stevens
