We’ve come to Easter Night, a day that typically didn’t see any NASCAR action, but things have changed a bit. Looking to roll off around 7pm, there is a threat of rain in the air, but the promise of action at Richmond hopefully outweighs that.
Here’s what to look for:
–Kyle Larson would like to stay in front of any beating and banging, and the way to do that is to start from Pole and stay there. Last year Larson won this race from 9th, so he can absolutely win from 1st. Many Richmond races have been very “conveyor belt”-like as of late, but the response has been “yeah, put us back under the lights!” That’s what we should be seeing tonight.
–Chris Buescher is our most recent winner at this race, taking the checkers last Fall. He led 88 laps (not the most) and came from 26th, tonight’s winner can come from anywhere!
–Martin Truex Jr. carries an astounding 4.2 average finish over the last ten races, including 9 Top 10s, 7 Top 5s, and 3 Wins! There was a time when he had big time struggles at short tracks, but that ship has sailed far, far away. To compound matters (for everyone else!), Joe Gibbs Racing has had quite the hold on this place, particularly from ’18 to ’22.
–Joey Logano finished 4th and 7th in last year’s combined Richmond races, and looked pretty good in Practice this year. Didn’t get the Qualifying run he wanted, so he’ll start 10th. Hasn’t been off to a rocket start at all; tonight could be his best shot to get the monkey off his back!
–Josh Berry filled in for an injured Chase Elliott last Spring, and he piloted the #9 from 30th to 2nd. His 2024 has been very underwhelming so far, but his performance at this race in ’23 can’t be denied. Someone to keep in the back of your mind for this one…
Alright! As promised, here are a few pictures from Austin!
We started off the day with some food from famed Franklin Barbecue (over a two hour wait!!), and I was decked out in my Bills stuff and got a bunch of “Go Bills!” there. The “cutter” was talking to us about the awesome Bills as she filled up our tray. Go Bills! (And it was good food! Try it! Thanks!)
After the wait, we were a little late for the race at COTA, but we parked and got in there. We were first greeted by this sign showing the general direction of things, the viewing platform in the distance, and then the spotter’s stand as soon as we got in at the top of Turn 1. Wow! As for these next pics, a general movement around the track. We took shots from many different angles, a luxury — of sorts — unseen at different tracks where you’re parked in a seat.
We start with a shot of Turn 1 / Turn 2, and then around Turn 3 and 4, across the access bridge, over near the viewing platform (where we took our three shot), and lastly with a panoramic shot from our final seat, a view of the front stretch / pit road, and the hill to Turn 1 again. Also, didn’t realize that our “General Admission Grounds Access” was literally that — an invitation to sit on the GROUND! I guess that’s a mea culpa, would’ve been better if we had seats or access to some beach blanket bingo like the locals. Ah well. Happy to have experienced, probably one and done for COTA and I though.
Coverage of the race starts on FOX at 7pm, green flag scheduled for 7:15pm with some rain in the area.
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