Richmond International Raceway has always been home to close quarters racing action for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. But when you add the pressure, tension, and excitement of the final race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup to it, everything ratchets up a notch. Could a first time winner this season lock in their spot in the last race of NASCAR’s regular season?
In qualifying on Friday, the teams that carried all the momentum into the final regular season weekend continued to cling to it. Joey Logano (#22 Shell Pennzoil Ford) of Team Penske would claim the pole, with Matt Kenseth (#20 Dollar General Toyota) would start alongside. Meanwhile, those fighting on the Chase bubble qualified further down the grid, including Clint Bowyer (#15 5-Hour Energy Toyota), who entered as the last car in on points.
As the race got underway, the drivers of Joe Gibbs Racing would dominate much of the race. All four drivers would take turns at the front, at one point even having them all run in the top four. Matt Kenseth would be the one of the four to charge out to be in control, speeding ahead of all challengers, and easily leading the most laps on the night.
Meanwhile, the battle for the Chase for the Sprint Cup bubble remained squarely between those on the inside of the chase grid. Jamie McMurray (#1 Cessna Chevy) locked in his spot by taking the green flag, while sixteenth Clint Bowyer entered with over a half-race lead. It would take a win from a driver on the outside of the Chase grid, or an outstandingly bad race from someone in the grid, to change the Top 16 at Richmond.
While the storylines heading into the weekend would be about the Chase for the Sprint Cup, those further back in the field would try to gain some attention as well, though some not so successfully. Michael Annett (#46 Switch Hitch Chevy) would spin after contact with Jeb Burton (#23 Estes Toyota) early in the race and crash. Meanwhile, under caution Michael McDowell (#95 Thrivent Financial Ford) would make contact with a safety truck picking up debris, damaging his car.
The entire shape of the race would change however with just 25 laps to go. A debris caution would send all the leaders to pit road for fuel and tires, including Aric Almirola (#43 Waffle House Ford), running fifth, who would need to win to get into the Chase. His crew called for no fuel, only tires, propelling him to third on the restart. Could he become the upset driver to get into the Top 16?
Unfortunately, Aric Almirola’s efforts would come up short. Matt Kenseth, who dominated with leading over 300 laps on the night, would win the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond, putting him in a three-way tie for the top of the Chase for the Sprint Cup grid.
With Kenseth winning, Kyle Busch (#18 M&M’s Toyota) would finish second, and Joey Logano in third. While those on the Chase bubble would struggle overall on the night, Clint Bowyer would recover to a tenth place finish, and the Top 16 entering the race at Richmond would not change leaving that night. McMurray, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, and Bowyer would get into the Chase on points.
The Chase grid is set, and now the Top 16 drivers will enter the Challenger Round of the playoffs. The challengers and the rest of the field get underway at Chicagoland Speedway next weekend, with all the action taking place on Sunday on NBCSN.
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