Momentum starts at RIR for Hamlin, No. 11 team

The frustration has bubbled over in Denny Hamlin.

He had a strong -- and possibly winning -- car at Atlanta last Sunday night, but his engine failed him. It blew up, and he finished last. It was just the fourth time in his career that he finished 43rd.

Prior to the event, Hamlin talked about setting up for the Chase, which begins in two weeks. He wanted to have momentum rolling into the Chase's first race at New Hampshire.

Right now, he has anything but momentum.

Three of his past four finishes have looked like this: 37th at Watkins Glen, 34th at Bristol and 43rd at Atlanta. The lone bright spot was a runner-up at Michigan.

In that four-race span, Hamlin's in-race statistics were not as bad as his finishes would suggest. He had a Driver Rating of 84.7, an average running position of 19.6, 86 laps led, and 41 fastest laps run.

But one race, the next race, can cure all those ills. And luckily for Hamlin, that race takes place in Richmond, Va., near his hometown of Chesterfield, Va. The track is a Hamlin favorite.

Hamlin finally won his Holy Grail race last September, and did it in dominant fashion. Statistically, it was perfect.

Last year, Hamlin led 299 of the 400 laps, posting a perfect Driver Rating of 150.0. He had an average running position of 1.3, 108 fastest laps run and ran all 400 laps inside the top 15. In fact, he never fell below third.

In nine Richmond races, Hamlin has four top-fives and five top-10s. His average finish is an impressive 8.8, his Driver Rating is a series-high 117.4 and his average running position is a series high 5.5.

Even his clunkers are impressive. Most memorable was probably the May race in 2008, when Hamlin led an astounding 381 laps. Only a blown tire could stop him that night, and it did. Hamlin finished 24th. Still, his Driver Rating was a race-best 129.1.

Drivers to watch at Richmond

Kyle Busch has the second best Driver Rating (114.1) at RIR. Busch has won twice at RIR, including the race there this spring. His average green-flag speed (117.104) is also second best on the circuit.

Kevin Harvick is another driver to keep an eye on this weekend. He has the third best Driver Rating (114.0) and the second highest average running position of 6.8. Harvick has one victory, five top-five and 12 top-10 finishes at RIR.

While Jimmie Johnson has won three out of the past six races at RIR, some of his statistical data might not support his potential for success there. His Driver Rating (87.0) is only 12th best and he has an average finish of 17.8.

If last Saturday proves to be a good recipe for success, then Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart have to be considered serious challengers for the 2010 championship. While he's still winless on the season, Edwards has racked up 1,356 points in the past nine events, the most of any driver. Stewart is next with 1,319 points. During that stretch, Edwards has also compiled five top-five finishes (tied with Stewart) and seven top-10 finishes (also tied with Stewart). Stewart's momentum was fueled by his win last weekend at Atlanta, marking his first win since last October at Kansas. Edwards finished second.

Seedings and bonus points still on the line at RIR

Following Saturday's race at Richmond, the 12 Chase drivers are seeded according to the number of wins they accrued in the season's first 26 races. Each win is worth 10 points. Tiebreakers are based upon drivers' next-best finishes in the current season.

Currently, Johnson and Hamlin lead the way with five wins and 50 bonus points each. Johnson would win the tie-breaker for the No. 1 seed because he has more third--place finishes. Harvick and Kyle Busch are next with three wins and 30 bonus points each.

Kurt Busch has two wins and 20 bonus points, while Stewart and Ryan Newman have one win and 10 bonus points each. So the 10 bonus points still available Saturday night could play a key role in the final seedings for the Chase.