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Snapshot: Federated Auto Parts 400
By Kenny Bruce | Published: September 10, 2016 10
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RICHMOND, Va. -- After 25 races, 6,968 laps and 9,661.460 miles, it has come down to this: one race, Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup berths still hang in the balance for a handful of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers. For those who have already clinched one of the 16 spots, the race provides one final opportunity to fine-tune the process. The smallish (.75-mile) track has been the site of numerous memorable finishes since it began hosting NASCAR premier series events in 1953. With the added pressure of playoff possibilities now on the line, the likelihood of another outstanding ending is high.
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At-a-glance
What: 59th annual Federated Auto Parts 400
Where: Richmond International Raceway, a .075-mile layout located in Richmond, Virginia
When: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016
Green flag: 7:44 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Forecast: Mostly sunny, high near 93; partly cloudy, low around 74 at night. (NOAA.gov)
National anthem: U.S. National Marine Corps Band
Grand marshal: Pete Larson, Owner, Larson’s Automotive
Race Distance: 400 laps, 300 miles
Pit road speed: 40 mph
Caution car speed: 45 mph
What: 59th annual Federated Auto Parts 400
Where: Richmond International Raceway, a .075-mile layout located in Richmond, Virginia
When: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016
Green flag: 7:44 p.m. ET
TV/Radio: NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Forecast: Mostly sunny, high near 93; partly cloudy, low around 74 at night. (NOAA.gov)
National anthem: U.S. National Marine Corps Band
Grand marshal: Pete Larson, Owner, Larson’s Automotive
Race Distance: 400 laps, 300 miles
Pit road speed: 40 mph
Caution car speed: 45 mph
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Bubble boys
Ryan Newman enters the race 22 points outside the Chase needing either a win or a big points day to climb back into the playoff picture. Should he not advance, it would be the first time since 2012 that the Richard Childress Racing driver wasn't a Chase player.Jamie McMurray is looking to make it two straight Chase appearances, as are Clint Bowyer and Paul Menard. McMurray is currently in based on points but Bowyer and Menard both need wins to qualify. Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon currently are in the Chase Grid, and it would be the first postseason for each.
Ryan Newman enters the race 22 points outside the Chase needing either a win or a big points day to climb back into the playoff picture. Should he not advance, it would be the first time since 2012 that the Richard Childress Racing driver wasn't a Chase player.Jamie McMurray is looking to make it two straight Chase appearances, as are Clint Bowyer and Paul Menard. McMurray is currently in based on points but Bowyer and Menard both need wins to qualify. Chase Elliott and Austin Dillon currently are in the Chase Grid, and it would be the first postseason for each.
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No Pressure, No New Winner?
For 12 participants, their Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup hopes don't hinge on how well they fare at Richmond. Thanks to wins earlier this season, their teams can 'go race' and 'have fun' as Carl Edwards noted Friday. The likelihood of a new winner earning a Chase spot is slim as its happened only once since the Chase debuted in 2004. That came in the inaugural season as Jeremy Mayfield punched his Chase ticket with a victory here.
For 12 participants, their Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup hopes don't hinge on how well they fare at Richmond. Thanks to wins earlier this season, their teams can 'go race' and 'have fun' as Carl Edwards noted Friday. The likelihood of a new winner earning a Chase spot is slim as its happened only once since the Chase debuted in 2004. That came in the inaugural season as Jeremy Mayfield punched his Chase ticket with a victory here.
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For Buescher, It's All About Balance
Front Row Motorsports driver Chris Buescher has spent several weeks just inside the top 30 in points. A win at Pocono opened the Chase door, but he must remain inside the top 30 to advance. Competition on a short track leaves little room for error. 'We can't go out and just try to run every lap and stay out of everyone's way and that will be enough,' Buescher said. 'We are coming out here to race aggressively for every position, every point we can possibly get.'
Front Row Motorsports driver Chris Buescher has spent several weeks just inside the top 30 in points. A win at Pocono opened the Chase door, but he must remain inside the top 30 to advance. Competition on a short track leaves little room for error. 'We can't go out and just try to run every lap and stay out of everyone's way and that will be enough,' Buescher said. 'We are coming out here to race aggressively for every position, every point we can possibly get.'
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Bring on the Temps
A week after taking his pit crew to task, Kevin Harvick will have a new front tire changer and front tire carrier. Mid-week workouts led Stewart-Haas Racing officials to move Eric Maycroft (front tire changer) and Matt Holzbaur (front tire carrier) to the No. 4 team; while Tim Sheets (changer) and Todd Drakulich (carrier) move to the No. 10 crew. SHR officials said Friday the changes are considered temporary but could become permanent.
A week after taking his pit crew to task, Kevin Harvick will have a new front tire changer and front tire carrier. Mid-week workouts led Stewart-Haas Racing officials to move Eric Maycroft (front tire changer) and Matt Holzbaur (front tire carrier) to the No. 4 team; while Tim Sheets (changer) and Todd Drakulich (carrier) move to the No. 10 crew. SHR officials said Friday the changes are considered temporary but could become permanent.
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Richmond: A Toyota Track
Toyota teams have won nine of the last 15 Sprint Cup races at Richmond, including the last two. The brand was fast with Toyota teams posting four of the fastest five speeds in opening practice, led by four-time Richmond winner Kyle Busch. But only two Toyota teams were inside the top 10 in the day's second session (Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin). Hamlin is second only to Jeff Gordon in total laps led at the .75-mile track with 1,405.
Toyota teams have won nine of the last 15 Sprint Cup races at Richmond, including the last two. The brand was fast with Toyota teams posting four of the fastest five speeds in opening practice, led by four-time Richmond winner Kyle Busch. But only two Toyota teams were inside the top 10 in the day's second session (Martin Truex Jr., Denny Hamlin). Hamlin is second only to Jeff Gordon in total laps led at the .75-mile track with 1,405.
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Speaking of Gordon
Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon will suit up once again this weekend, taking the helm of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in relief of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gordon has a pair of victories at Richmond (1996, 2000). He is scheduled for only two more starts this year. Gordon will start from the 11th position in the 40-car field. He has finished no worse than eighth in six of his last seven starts at RIR, including runner-up results on three occasions.
Four-time series champion Jeff Gordon will suit up once again this weekend, taking the helm of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet in relief of Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gordon has a pair of victories at Richmond (1996, 2000). He is scheduled for only two more starts this year. Gordon will start from the 11th position in the 40-car field. He has finished no worse than eighth in six of his last seven starts at RIR, including runner-up results on three occasions.
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Mr. 500 Times Two
Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray will both be making their 500th career starts this weekend.Biffle, piloting the No. 16 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, will start 28th while McMurray, in the No. 1 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing, starts fourth. Both drivers began competing full time in 2003; Biffle has 19 career victories while McMurray has seven. Neither, however, have won since the 2013 season.
Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray will both be making their 500th career starts this weekend.Biffle, piloting the No. 16 Ford for Roush Fenway Racing, will start 28th while McMurray, in the No. 1 Chevrolet for Chip Ganassi Racing, starts fourth. Both drivers began competing full time in 2003; Biffle has 19 career victories while McMurray has seven. Neither, however, have won since the 2013 season.
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Final Richmond Start for Stewart
Tony Stewart, a three-time premier series champion and winner of 49 races, will be making his final start at Richmond and will start 14th in the No. 14 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. Retiring from Sprint Cup competition at season's end, Stewart has three career wins at RIR, including his first career win in the series in 1999 as a rookie. 'I've always felt like Richmond was the ultimate drivers' track,' Stewart said. '… You could be fast … running two or three different ways, using three different lines. You could do what you needed to do. … It's always going to be my favorite track.'
Tony Stewart, a three-time premier series champion and winner of 49 races, will be making his final start at Richmond and will start 14th in the No. 14 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing. Retiring from Sprint Cup competition at season's end, Stewart has three career wins at RIR, including his first career win in the series in 1999 as a rookie. 'I've always felt like Richmond was the ultimate drivers' track,' Stewart said. '… You could be fast … running two or three different ways, using three different lines. You could do what you needed to do. … It's always going to be my favorite track.'