And then there was one...Richmond!
This is it for the regular season in Sprint Cup competition, because the remainder ten races are, what we call, The CHASE!
As it is every year, there are drivers who will have a different agenda in this race.
Drivers like Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick, and Jimmie Johnson are trying to help their Chase seeding by simply winning a race as they have nothing to lose. Others like Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. are trying to win, but simultaneously, preserve their spots in Chase by finishing in the Top 20.
Who should the fans look out for the be in contention tomorrow night? Well let's get to it!
The Favorites
Kyle Busch
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| Kyle Busch celebrates after winning this race in May 2010. |
Quietly, this is Kyle's best track statistically with three wins and a 4.9 average finish in 13 starts. He has won three of the last six at Richmond. All and All, he is the safest bet of anyone in the field to pick from. It won't be a shocker if he picks up win #4 at Richmond.
Denny Hamlin
Another Gibbs Driver that has displayed dominance at this track. He is on the outside looking in for the Chase, but luckily he has a win to help his chances greatly. The question is, why not obtain another one? Richmond is one of his best tracks on the circuit; he has a 7.5 average finish with two wins. He is the defending race winner of the last two September races. He starts 28th, so that'll be a tall order to climb.
Clint Bowyer
I'm surprised he only has one win here despite his 9.5 average finish. If Hamlin manages to have a bad race and Clint wins tomorrow night, he's in the Chase. Surprisingly, Clint chooses not to ponder on potential outcomes as he thinks he's done. Of course, he didn't rule out winning tomorrow night. He starts 5th. He'll be leading before you know it.
Darkhorses
Jimmie Johnson
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| Jimmie's last Richmond win in September 2008. |
Five-Time has won each of three Richmond races starting from the top 4; he starts 3rd tomorrow. He and his other Hendrick Motorsport teammate, Jeff Gordon, looked awfully strong in practice. Despite his three wins, Johnson has an average finish of a 16.5. This time, I expect him to be up front all race long. Besides, a win would help his Chase seeding as well.
Jeff Gordon
Speaking of teammate, Jeff is fresh off his third win of the season while, ironically, battling Johnson in the last ten laps. With that being said, Jeff had the fastest 5, 10, and 15-lap averages. He has been oh so close to getting back to victory lane for the first time since 2000 here. Do not rule out back-to-back wins.
Risktakers
David Reutimann
He is tomorrow night's polesitter, and I don't expect him to last as I feel he'll find a way to put his car in the wall. Not to mention, he has only one top ten in nine career starts. The trend shall continue.
I think it's pretty straight-forward to know why this race should be watched. As far as the race goes, I think it'll be a part two of Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson battling for the race win. Unfortunately, I think Johnson will get the best of Gordon this time around. The competition is too stiff for Jeff to win back-to-back races, but if anyone can do it, Jeff sure can. Then again, it's just one man's opinion.
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