Federated Auto Parts 400
Richmond International Raceway
By Richard Tix
It's the last one. Yes, Richmond International Raceway will be the last chance for a driver not already locked into the Chase to try and make it. The way the new era Chase is set up it leads to race 26 being an exciting one, as if it wasn't already.
Last week at Darlington we didn't see a lot of change. No new 2015 winner and no big points shifts. However, many drivers locked in there Chase spot and wont have to worry about any bad luck situations leaving them out of the Chase.
Some guys are on the inside looking out and have a lot to worry about (Clint Bowyer/Jeff Gordon/Paul Menard). But an even larger list of drivers are on the outside looking in and need a last resort win to get into the Chase (Aric Almirola/Kyle Larson/Greg Biffle among others).
So, will the Chase standings once again stay the same? Or will an outsider creep into the top 16 with a win? You will have to catch the race to find out!
Last week at Darlington we didn't see a lot of change. No new 2015 winner and no big points shifts. However, many drivers locked in there Chase spot and wont have to worry about any bad luck situations leaving them out of the Chase.
Some guys are on the inside looking out and have a lot to worry about (Clint Bowyer/Jeff Gordon/Paul Menard). But an even larger list of drivers are on the outside looking in and need a last resort win to get into the Chase (Aric Almirola/Kyle Larson/Greg Biffle among others).
So, will the Chase standings once again stay the same? Or will an outsider creep into the top 16 with a win? You will have to catch the race to find out!
The Good
- Kevin Harvick- Earlier this year Harvick finished 2nd at Richmond after leading only 2 laps. This time around he will try to get his 4th RIR win and first since 2013. He has back to back top 5's here and right now top 5's are almost a lock for him.
- Clint Bowyer- No other driver in the top 16 right now needs a good finish or win more than Clint. That's because he is currently the bubble driver in 16th and any win from a guy not in the top 16 and he is out. Luckily, he is pretty good here (2 wins, 4 top 5's. 11 top 10's in 19 starts) including two straight top 10's.
- Jeff Gordon- Another driver without a win in 2015 that could desperately use a good finish to make sure he is locked into the Chase. Gordon will take a four race top 10 streak at RIR into the Federated Auto Parts 400 and look to make it 5. If so, he will no doubt be in the Chase (if there is any doubt as it is).
The Middle
- Dale Earnhardt Jr- Jr does have three career RIR wins, but the last one was in 2006. That's a lot of races in between. In the last 8 races he hasn't finished higher than 16th, but he also only has 3 top 10's. He hasn't finished poorly, but he just hasn't been great either.
The Bad
- Denny Hamlin- Keep in mind, we are going recent results here, because if you include his career he has been solid at RIR. I would assume with how hot JGR is at the moment he will be right around the top 10 mark, if not a top 5. However, he has four straight finishes between 21st and 22nd.
- Paul Menard- Menard has not been "bad" per say, but this category is laid out that if you are with a decent team (RCR) you will get held to better standards. Menard only has four top 15's in 17 starts (one top 5 in 2013).
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr- Ricky has a small sample size at the Cup level for most tracks, so its hard to judge, but his early career hasn't jumped off the page. At RIR he has five starts and onlye one top 15 (a top 10 in 2013). He only has two top 25 finishes as well, which is the real worry here (and both of those were 2013).
About the Track: Richmond International Raceway
Track Stats
- Richard Petty once won 7 RIR races in a row, 9 of 10, and 12 of 17. All were from 1967 to 1975
- In 2013 Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards won from the 17th and 26th positions. Joey Logano won in 2014 (Spring) from the 17th position as well.
- In 2009 and 2010 Kyle Busch won both early season races and Denny Hamlin won both late season. Kyle also won the early season RIR race in 2011 and 2012 making it 5 straight Toyota wins and 6 in 7 (actually 7 of 8 because Bowyer won late in 2012).
- Richard Petty has the most career RIR wins with 13.
- Of current drivers Kyle Busch has the most total wins with 4.
- Richard Petty also has the most career top 5's (34), top 10's (41), and Poles (tied with Bobby Allison with 8).
Track Info
- Surface: Asphalt
- Length: 0.75 miles
- Banking
- Turns: 14 degrees
- Frontstretch: 8 degrees
- Backstretch: 2 degrees
Richmond
International Raceway
|
|||||
Race
|
Date
|
Cars
|
Winner(s)
|
St
|
Make / Model
|
1953-06
|
4/19/1953
|
27
|
Lee Petty
|
'53 Dodge
|
|
1955-16
|
5/22/1955
|
28
|
Tim Flock
|
22
|
'55 Chrysler
|
1956-12
|
4/29/1956
|
24
|
Buck Baker
|
1
|
'56 Dodge
|
1957-16
|
5/5/1957
|
22
|
Paul Goldsmith
|
7
|
'57 Ford
|
1958-46
|
9/14/1958
|
22
|
Speedy Thompson
|
1
|
'57 Chevrolet
|
1959-23
|
6/21/1959
|
22
|
Tom Pistone
|
12
|
'59 T-Bird
|
1959-38
|
9/13/1959
|
16
|
Cotton Owens
|
1
|
'59 T-Bird
|
1960-19
|
6/5/1960
|
19
|
Lee Petty
|
10
|
'60 Plymouth
|
1960-43
|
10/23/1960
|
19
|
Speedy Thompson
|
3
|
'60 Ford
|
1961-17
|
4/23/1961
|
12
|
Richard Petty
|
1
|
'60 Plymouth
|
1961-44
|
9/10/1961
|
25
|
Joe Weatherly
|
7
|
'61 Pontiac
|
1962-10
|
4/1/1962
|
25
|
Rex White
|
20
|
'61 Chevrolet
|
1962-47
|
9/9/1962
|
33
|
Joe Weatherly
|
2
|
'62 Pontiac
|
1963-15
|
4/7/1963
|
25
|
Joe Weatherly
|
3
|
'63 Pontiac
|
1963-47
|
9/8/1963
|
26
|
Ned Jarrett
|
7
|
'63 Ford
|
1964-09
|
3/10/1964
|
27
|
David Pearson
|
10
|
'64 Dodge
|
1964-53
|
9/14/1964
|
33
|
Cotton Owens
|
3
|
'64 Dodge
|
1965-07
|
3/7/1965
|
22
|
Junior Johnson
|
1
|
'65 Ford
|
1965-49
|
9/18/1965
|
37
|
David Pearson
|
2
|
'65 Dodge
|
1966-19
|
5/15/1966
|
30
|
David Pearson
|
4
|
'64 Dodge
|
1966-44
|
9/11/1966
|
29
|
David Pearson
|
1
|
'66 Dodge
|
1967-16
|
4/30/1967
|
24
|
Richard Petty
|
1
|
'67 Plymouth
|
1967-42
|
9/10/1967
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
2
|
'67 Plymouth
|
1968-06
|
3/24/1968
|
20
|
David Pearson
|
16
|
'68 Ford
|
1968-41
|
9/8/1968
|
28
|
Richard Petty
|
1
|
'68 Plymouth
|
1969-14
|
4/13/1969
|
28
|
David Pearson
|
1
|
'69 Ford
|
1969-43
|
9/7/1969
|
25
|
Bobby Allison
|
25
|
'69 Dodge
|
1970-05
|
3/1/1970
|
26
|
James Hylton
|
3
|
'69 Ford
|
1970-40
|
9/13/1970
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
1
|
'70 Plymouth
|
1971-06
|
3/7/1971
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
30
|
'70 Plymouth
|
1971-46
|
11/14/1971
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
11
|
'71 Plymouth
|
1972-03
|
2/27/1972
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
3
|
'72 Plymouth
|
1972-25
|
9/10/1972
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
3
|
'72 Plymouth
|
1973-03
|
2/25/1973
|
30
|
Richard Petty
|
8
|
'73 Dodge
|
1973-23
|
9/9/1973
|
34
|
Richard Petty
|
5
|
'73 Dodge
|
1974-03
|
2/24/1974
|
28
|
Bobby Allison
|
1
|
'74 Chevrolet
|
1974-24
|
9/8/1974
|
27
|
Richard Petty
|
1
|
'74 Dodge
|
1975-03
|
2/23/1975
|
22
|
Richard Petty
|
1
|
'74 Dodge
|
1975-26
|
10/12/1975
|
28
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
2
|
'75 Chevrolet
|
1976-04
|
3/7/1976
|
30
|
Dave Marcis
|
2
|
Dodge
|
1976-23
|
9/12/1976
|
30
|
Cale Yarborough
|
6
|
Chevrolet
|
1977-03
|
2/27/1977
|
30
|
Cale Yarborough
|
7
|
Chevrolet
|
1977-23
|
9/11/1977
|
28
|
Neil Bonnett
|
2
|
Dodge
|
1978-03
|
2/26/1978
|
30
|
Benny Parsons
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
1978-23
|
9/10/1978
|
30
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1979-04
|
3/11/1979
|
30
|
Cale Yarborough
|
9
|
Oldsmobile
|
1979-24
|
9/9/1979
|
26
|
Bobby Allison
|
2
|
Ford
|
1980-03
|
2/24/1980
|
31
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1980-24
|
9/7/1980
|
29
|
Bobby Allison
|
2
|
Ford
|
1981-03
|
2/22/1981
|
30
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
7
|
Buick
|
1981-24
|
9/13/1981
|
32
|
Benny Parsons
|
4
|
Ford
|
1982-02
|
2/21/1982
|
32
|
Dave Marcis
|
6
|
Chevrolet
|
1982-23
|
9/12/1982
|
31
|
Bobby Allison
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1983-02
|
2/27/1983
|
32
|
Bobby Allison
|
6
|
Chevrolet
|
1983-23
|
9/11/1983
|
30
|
Bobby Allison
|
6
|
Buick
|
1984-02
|
2/26/1984
|
32
|
Ricky Rudd
|
4
|
Ford
|
1984-23
|
9/9/1984
|
30
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1985-02
|
2/24/1985
|
30
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
1985-21
|
9/8/1985
|
30
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
22
|
Chevrolet
|
1986-02
|
2/23/1986
|
31
|
Kyle Petty
|
12
|
Ford
|
1986-22
|
9/7/1986
|
29
|
Tim Richmond
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
1987-03
|
3/8/1987
|
32
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
1987-22
|
9/13/1987
|
30
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
8
|
Chevrolet
|
1988-02
|
2/21/1988
|
32
|
Neil Bonnett
|
3
|
Pontiac
|
1988-22
|
9/11/1988
|
36
|
Davey Allison
|
1
|
Ford
|
1989-04
|
3/26/1989
|
36
|
Rusty Wallace
|
2
|
Pontiac
|
1989-22
|
9/10/1989
|
36
|
Rusty Wallace
|
6
|
Pontiac
|
1990-02
|
2/25/1990
|
36
|
Mark Martin
|
6
|
Ford
|
1990-22
|
9/9/1990
|
36
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
6
|
Chevrolet
|
1991-02
|
2/24/1991
|
35
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
19
|
Chevrolet
|
1991-22
|
9/7/1991
|
36
|
Harry Gant
|
13
|
Oldsmobile
|
1992-03
|
3/8/1992
|
35
|
Bill Elliott
|
1
|
Ford
|
1992-22
|
9/12/1992
|
35
|
Rusty Wallace
|
3
|
Pontiac
|
1993-03
|
3/7/1993
|
36
|
Davey Allison
|
14
|
Ford
|
1993-23
|
9/11/1993
|
36
|
Rusty Wallace
|
3
|
Pontiac
|
1994-03
|
3/6/1994
|
37
|
Ernie Irvan
|
7
|
Ford
|
1994-24
|
9/10/1994
|
38
|
Terry Labonte
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
1995-03
|
3/5/1995
|
38
|
Terry Labonte
|
24
|
Chevrolet
|
1995-24
|
9/9/1995
|
38
|
Rusty Wallace
|
7
|
Ford
|
1996-03
|
3/3/1996
|
40
|
Jeff Gordon
|
2
|
Chevrolet
|
1996-24
|
9/7/1996
|
40
|
Ernie Irvan
|
16
|
Ford
|
1997-03
|
3/2/1997
|
43
|
Rusty Wallace
|
7
|
Ford
|
1997-24
|
9/6/1997
|
42
|
Dale Jarrett
|
23
|
Ford
|
1998-13
|
6/6/1998
|
43
|
Terry Labonte
|
16
|
Chevrolet
|
1998-25
|
9/12/1998
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
3
|
Ford
|
1999-11
|
5/15/1999
|
43
|
Dale Jarrett
|
21
|
Ford
|
1999-25
|
9/11/1999
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
2
|
Pontiac
|
2000-11
|
5/6/2000
|
43
|
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
2000-25
|
9/9/2000
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
13
|
Chevrolet
|
2001-11
|
5/5/2001
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
7
|
Pontiac
|
2001-26
|
9/8/2001
|
43
|
Ricky Rudd
|
9
|
Ford
|
2002-11
|
5/5/2002
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
3
|
Pontiac
|
2002-26
|
9/7/2002
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
25
|
Ford
|
2003-11
|
5/3/2003
|
43
|
Joe Nemechek
|
2
|
Chevrolet
|
2003-26
|
9/6/2003
|
43
|
Ryan Newman
|
4
|
Dodge
|
2004-11
|
5/15/2004
|
43
|
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
2004-26
|
9/11/2004
|
43
|
Jeremy Mayfield
|
7
|
Dodge
|
2005-11
|
5/14/2005
|
43
|
Kasey Kahne
|
1
|
Dodge
|
2005-26
|
9/10/2005
|
43
|
Kurt Busch
|
5
|
Ford
|
2006-10
|
5/6/2006
|
43
|
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
|
10
|
Chevrolet
|
2006-26
|
9/9/2006
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
2007-10
|
5/6/2007
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
2007-26
|
9/8/2007
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
2008-10
|
5/3/2008
|
43
|
Clint Bowyer
|
31
|
Chevrolet
|
2008-26
|
9/7/2008
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
2009-10
|
5/2/2009
|
43
|
Kyle Busch
|
14
|
Toyota
|
2009-26
|
9/12/2009
|
43
|
Denny Hamlin
|
3
|
Toyota
|
2010-10
|
5/1/2010
|
43
|
Kyle Busch
|
1
|
Toyota
|
2010-26
|
9/11/2010
|
43
|
Denny Hamlin
|
14
|
Toyota
|
2011-09
|
4/30/2011
|
43
|
Kyle Busch
|
20
|
Toyota
|
2011-26
|
9/10/2011
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
7
|
Chevrolet
|
2012-09
|
4/28/2012
|
43
|
Kyle Busch
|
5
|
Toyota
|
2012-26
|
9/8/2012
|
43
|
Clint Bowyer
|
4
|
Toyota
|
2013-09
|
4/27/2013
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
17
|
Chevrolet
|
2013-26
|
9/7/2013
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
26
|
Ford
|
2014-09
|
4/26/2014
|
43
|
Joey Logano
|
17
|
Ford
|
2014-26
|
9/6/2014
|
43
|
Brad Keselowski
|
1
|
Ford
|
2015-09
|
4/26/2015
|
43
|
Kurt Busch
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
2015 Toyota Owners 400 Photo Recap:
Richmond Weekend Articles
No comments:
Post a Comment