Brad Keselowski punched his ticket to the Round of 12 with his third straight win (wow!) last week. He’s been on a role as of late, but there’ll be someone else who locks in tonight at Richmond. Feasibly, he could win again, but even if he doesn’t someone is more than likely going to be mathematically safe. We’re cutting four from NASCAR’s postseason after the next race, and Charlotte’s “Roval” is probably not the place to seek haven from it. NASCAR goes under the lights — tonight!
Here’s what to look for:
Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Jimmy John’s New 9-Grain Wheat Sub Ford, sits in the garage during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on Friday. (Photo Credit: Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images)
—Kevin Harvick will start from Pole, at least until the cars are inspected following last night’s impound. Whatever the case, he was fast, and will be one to watch tonight. Trouble at Las Vegas will have him up on the wheel seeking his fourth Richmond win. 5th might be more likely though; he’s finished there five times in his last eight attempts here.
Denny Hamlin drives through the garage in a blur, hoping to do the same of the field on Saturday night. (Photo Credit: Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images)
—Denny Hamlin will launch from P2, and if history is any indicator, that’ll be a good thing for him. It is his second best track by average (9.3), and is riding a streak of six straight Top 6 finishes. It’s a home game for Denny, too.
Kyle Busch was the last driver to win here in the Cup series, just a few months ago. (Photo Credit: Robert Laberge | Getty Images)
—Kyle Busch took the checkers in April, leading just 32 laps total. He’s got five Wins here and knows how to get it done. Six of his last eight were Top 10s. Not much more we can say about this guy, expect him to be there at the end.
RICHMOND, VA – SEPTEMBER 09: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Target Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
—Kyle Larson brought home the victory for Target in one of their last races with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2017’s version of this race; tonight he hopes to be “on target” with his aim for Victory Lane once more. He carries a 10.0 average finish at Richmond and should factor into the finish.
Joey Logano will start 13th in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford. (Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography)
—Joey Logano brings nine straight Richmond Top 10s to this race, the most notable of which being his “encumbered” win in April, 2017. With all of the headlines that Keselowski has been grabbing as of late, there’s gotta be something in the water over at Penske Racing. Logano is a good bet to pack his bags for the Round of 12 tonight.
Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Hurricane Harvey Relief Toyota, leads Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota, at the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 9, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. (Sarah Crabill/Getty Images North America)
Coverage of the race starts on NBCSN at 7:30pm, green flag scheduled for 7:43pm.
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