Y! picks: Federated Auto Parts 400
Venue: | |
Race length: | 300 miles |
No. of laps: | 400 |
Qualifying: | Fri., 5:30 p.m. ET |
Race: | Sat., 7:44 p.m. ET (ABC) |
STAT OF THE WEEK
Long shot: Not once in 15 head-to-head races at Richmond has Jeff Gordon beaten Kyle Busch by 12 spots.
APRIL'S RACE
Top 5 |
1. Kyle Busch |
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. |
3. Tony Stewart |
4. Denny Hamlin |
5. Kasey Kahne |
RECENT WINNERS
2011: | Kevin Harvick |
2010: | Denny Hamlin |
2009: | Denny Hamlin |
2008: | Jimmie Johnson |
2007: | Jimmie Johnson |
2006: | Kevin Harvick |
2005: | Kurt Busch |
2004: | Jeremy Mayfield |
2003: | Ryan Newman |
2002: | Matt Kenseth |
ALSO THIS WEEKEND:
Nationwide Series
Virginia 529 College Savings 250, Richmond International Raceway, Fri.., 7:44 p.m.
EXPERT STANDINGS
Hart: | 788 points (4 wins) |
Busbee: | 747 points (2 wins) |
Bromberg: | 727 points (1 win) |
YAHOO! SPORTS FANTASY AUTO RACING
Check your team | Expert picks
Richmond preview (PDF)
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Richmond International Raceway for Saturday's Federated Auto Parts 400.
Kevin Harvick is the defending race winner.
Kyle Busch: Only twice in 15 races at Richmond has Busch finished worse than sixth. The only reason to think he wouldn't win is that none of his four wins there has come in September. That being said, he knows what is on the line Saturday night, and a win would clinch him a spot in the Chase. – Jay Hart
Kyle Busch: Rowdy would be the pick even if he wasn't racing for his playoff life this weekend, but he's as much money at Richmond as Denny Hamlin at Pocono or Jimmie Johnson at Martinsville. This is Kyle's chance to rewrite his legacy, to get into the Chase and do the kind of damage (in a good way) that he could do to NASCAR. – Jay Busbee
Kyle Busch: Denny Hamlin is probably the smart pick here given his hot streak, but let's go with his JGR teammate, who gets himself into the Chase with a win and knocks Jeff Gordon out. But how cool would it be if it came down to Busch and Gordon (or Newman, Ambrose or Logano) for the win? And if it was Busch and Gordon, would Gordon drive differently than he did on Sunday night at Atlanta? – Nick Bromberg
• So you've got two of the strongest teams, with two of the best drivers in the field, going at each other to get one of their drivers in the Chase. For once, Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson will be playing a supporting role here. How will each of these championship contenders help their teammates – Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon, respectively – reach the promised land? The battle within the battle within the race is going to make for some interesting mid-pack racing. – Jay Busbee
• The storylines are undoubtedly going to focus on the drivers chasing the wild card, but this is the last chance for drivers inside the top 10 to grab three more bonus points for the Chase. The importance of those bonus points may be overstated because of the tie that took place last year, but those three points and the related boost would be immeasurable for a currently winless driver like Martin Truex Jr. or Kevin Harvick. – Nick Bromberg
• To what length will Jeff Gordon go to in order to clinch a spot in the Chase? Gordon expressed regret after not turning Denny Hamlin at Atlanta, promising to show no such mercy at Richmond. First he'll need the chance, but if given it, will he spin someone for the win? – Jay Hart
"Richmond is definitely a place where we would like to win. Obviously, that would really make things easy as far as getting us into the Chase. If we're not able to win, then we need to know what our game plan is going to be as far as staying ahead of Jeff [Gordon]." – Kyle Busch
