Unofficial Lineup – Lineup will be official after inspection
Stories to follow during Saturday night’s running of the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway, which can be heard live on the Motor Racing Network starting at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Playoff Push
Saturday’s race is the second of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Martin Truex Jr. has already advanced to the Round of 12 after his South Point 400 victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last week. Several other championship favorites will be in the mix for a win at Richmond to join Truex Jr. in the next round including former track winners Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, Joey Logano, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin and pole-sitter Brad Keselowski.
Richmond: Race Winners | Driver Averages
Battle for Busch
Speaking of Kyle Busch, his particularly frustrating night in Las Vegas left him with a 19th-place finish and a drop in the standings. Busch was the number one seed coming into the playoffs but is fourth now at Richmond. The good news for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver is his recent record at Richmond that includes wins in two of the last three Cup races held at the .75-mile track.
Final Practice Speeds | First Practice Speeds
Hamlin Home Cooking
Richmond is one of two home tracks for Virginia native Denny Hamlin who will have another coming up later in the playoffs at Martinsville. Hamlin has led 1,659 laps at Richmond more than any other track on the schedule adding to his confidence level. I felt pretty good with it, Hamlin said of the performance of his No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. “I thought that we had a few decent runs,” he said after strong practice runs. “There are five or six other guys that are right there pretty close. I don’t anticipate a runaway. If we do, it will be a great change of pace. Just looking back at the spring race here, we had to start last due to a qualifying deal, and it took the entire race to get up to the top five.”
Richmond Fantasy Racing Preview
Track Position
Most drivers agree passing will be a challenge because of the 2019 Cup Series rules package and its impact on aerodynamics. That will put a premium on track position including starting spots as well as gaining on pit road. “Sadly, even on short tracks like this, aero is king,” said Jimmie Johnson. “And this year’s aero package with the 750-package stuff, you’re going through the corner so much faster than normal that to pass, it’s very, very difficult.”
Paint Schemes for Federated Auto Parts 400
Party Crashers
Richmond provides another opportunity for drivers not in the playoffs with an opportunity to run for a championship to generate attention of their own. Austin Dillon might have the best shot of that group that also includes Daniel Suarez, Jimmie Johnson, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Chris Buescher. The Richard Childress Racing driver has posted a pair of sixth-place finishes in his last two Richmond outings.
