The NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers have one final chance to make the Chase Grid when they go short trackin’ Saturday night at Richmond in the Federated Auto Parts 400.
The first time the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup series headed to Richmond International Raceway for Saturday night short track action was in April. However, Mother Nature had different plans and sent rain on Saturday to force NASCAR to run the race Sunday afternoon instead. The NASCAR WXMAN Facebook page indicates that this scenario could repeat itself this weekend.
No matter if the race is Saturday under the lights or Sunday under the sun, it is the final chance for NASCAR drivers to make the Chase Grid. There are 11 divers who have clinched their spots in the Chase by winning at least one race and locking themselves in the top 30 in the point standings. All those 11 drivers have to do is attempt to qualify for the Federated Auto Parts 400 and they will be part of the 16 driver Chase field with a chance to win the championship. The drivers are indicated in green at the bottom of the page.
The five drivers currently on the Chase Grid without a win have different scenarios for clinching their spots in the Chase. Some of the drivers control their own Chase destinies and some need help to make the Chase Grid. The scenarios change slightly depending on whether the winner of the race is a repeat winner from the 2015 season or a new winner for this year.
First let’s look at the Chase clinching scenarios if there is a new winner for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
Jamie McMurray will clinch his spot on the Chase Grid simply by starting the race.
Ryan Newman will clinch his spot in the Chase if he finishes in 31st place or better.
Jeff Gordon would need to finish 17th or better to clinch his Chase spot.
Paul Menard clinches his Chase Grid spot with a ninth place finish or better.
These four drivers can finish a spot lower and clinch if they lead a lap or two spots lower than mention if they lead the most laps. Obviously if they are the one to be the new winner of the season they would also clinch their spot.
Clint Bowyer would need one of the above-mentioned drivers to finish worse than indicated to make the Chase if there is a new winner and he is not that winner.
Here are the scenarios for clinching a Chase Grid spot if there is a repeat winner at Richmond.
Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon will clinch their Chase Grid spot regardless of where they finish the race.
Paul Menard clinches his Chase Grid spot by finishing 38th or better, 39th with a lap led or 40th with the most laps led.
Clint Bowyer will clinch his Chase spot by finishing 28th or better, 29th with a lap led or 30th with the most laps led.
Aric Almirola and Kasey Kahne can make the Chase Grid by winning the race. However, in order to make the Chase without winning the race they would need help by a driver ahead of them in points having a very poor finish.
There are 12 drivers that would need to win the race at Richmond in order to clinch a Chase Grid spot. Those drivers are: Greg Biffle, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, AJ Almendinger, Casey Mears, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart, David Regan, Sam Hornish Jr., Trevor Bayne, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Justin Allgaier.
Cole Whitt and David Gilliland would need to win the race and have drivers above them in the top 30 finish low enough to fall out of the top 30 in order for them to make the Chase.
All of the remaining drivers have been eliminated from Chase contention.
With all of that said what drivers have the best records at Richmond International Raceway? Here are the top ten in driver rating at the track.
#1 – Kevin Harvick – 110.9 driver rating with 3 wins
#2 – Kyle Busch – 109.8 driver rating with 4 wins
#3 – Denny Hamlin – 108.5 driver rating with 2 wins
#4 – Clint Bowyer – 99.5 driver rating with 2 wins
#5 – Jeff Gordon – 99.4 driver rating with 2 wins
#6 – Kurt Busch – 94.2 driver rating with 2 wins
#7 – Tony Stewart – 92.8 driver rating with 3 wins
#8 – Brad Keselowski – 92.8 driver rating with 1 win
#9 – Ryan Newman – 92.1 driver rating with 1 win
#10 – Jimmie Johnson – 89.5 driver rating with 3 wins
Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Kevin Harvick has to be a favorite for this week’s win having the top driver rating and three wins at the track. That would give him some momentum and extra bonus points to start the Chase.
Kyle Busch will also be a threat for the win this Saturday night (or Sunday afternoon if there is a rain postponement of the race). Kyle has the most wins of all active drivers and for the first time since returning to the track this season does not have to worry about falling out of the top 30 in the point standings. That will play into the all or nothing attitude that Kyle has been known for. A fifth win for the season would make him the top seed for the start of the Chase.
Clint Bowyer will be highly motivated to get that win so that he will not be edged off the Chase Grid. With two wins and sitting fourth in driver rating at the track, he knows how to get to the front for a chance to win.
I have mentioned before and will do it again, when NASCAR goes short trackin’ anything can and often does happen. That means the best car or cars can wreck, get caught up in a wreck or have a mistake on pit row that changes the entire complexion of the race and the outcome.
We will all see how it all plays out Saturday night, September 12th starting at 6:30pm central time in the Federated Auto Parts 400 from Richmond International Raceway.
By: Buck Stevens
