Fast forward: Four keys to Richmond and the Chase
The arrival of the Chase for the Sprint Cup format virtually guaranteed an added layer of drama for the final race of the regular season, and Richmond International Raceway again will be the stage as drivers seek entry into the NASCAR’s playoffs.
Four story lines leading to Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400 (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network):
CHASING THE CHASE: Numerous scenarios could play out over Richmond’s 400 laps, but the primary focus pre-race is the 16th and final spot on the Chase grid.
If there is not a new race winner at Richmond, the final three spots in the Chase will be awarded on points (assuming race winner Chris Buescher stays 30th in points). Chase Elliott, Austin Dillon and Jamie McMurray hold those spots entering the final regular-season race.
Ryan Newman, who is the first driver outside the Chase, saw his chances of making the final 16 take a hit Wednesday afternoon when NASCAR assessed his team a 15-point penalty after his No. 31 Chevrolet failed post-race laser inspection at Darlington.
McMurray currently holds the final position on points, 22 in front of Newman.
Speaking of Buescher, he rides 11 points in front of 31st-place David Ragan and must remain there to retain his playoff slot.
A point is represented by one position on the track.
HARVICK’S THE PITS: Although he leads the points standings and is a Chase lock with two victories, Kevin Harvick is something less than a happy camper.
Slow pit stops robbed Harvick of a solid chance to win Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington, and Harvick boiled over after the race, dropping heavy criticism on his pit crew.
In the past, public complaints by Harvick have led to change. With the start of the Chase only a week away, his pit crew could see new faces. In 2014, he expressed similar concerns and Stewart-Haas Racing swapped his pit crew with that of teammate Tony Stewart. Harvick went on to win his first Cup title.
GORDON BUCKLES UP AGAIN: Jeff Gordon will drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr. again this weekend in the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet.
Gordon has two wins at RIR and owns the track qualifying record of 130.599 mph, set in September 2013.
In 46 career races at Richmond, Gordon has finished in the top 10 30 times.
As Earnhardt continues to recover from a concussion, Gordon is scheduled to drive the 88 at Dover and Martinsville. Alex Bowman is scheduled for the other eight races.
KICKOFF VS. GREEN FLAG: Saturday night will present an unusual scenario for NASCAR. Its Sprint Cup race will compete for television viewers with a college football game being played at a NASCAR speedway.
Bristol Motor Speedway is scheduled to host Saturday night’s Tennessee-Virginia Tech game, scheduled at 8 p.m.
The heavily publicized Bristol game is expected to attract the biggest crowd – possibly more than 150,000 -- in college football history. It will be broadcast by ABC.
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