Kyle Busch, the driver of the #18 M&M’s Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Raceway on September 22, 2018, in Richmond, Virginia. Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Saturday night the NASCAR Cup Series raced in Richmond for the second race in the playoffs. This is the first time that Richmond Raceway is hosting a playoff race. This race is a bounce-back race for some of the drivers that struggled last week in the playoff opener. With the Charlotte road race next weekend, it is important that some teams had some success at Richmond to solidify their spot in the playoffs.
Martin Truex Jr. gave a solid effort with a fast car and by leading most of the laps at 163 of the 400 total. Truex Jr. ended up winning the first two stages of the race. However, during a pit stop his team received a penalty for an uncontrolled tire. This set back allowed for Kyle Busch to take over the race. Truex was able to battle back, but he had to settle for a third-place finish. Busch ended up leading 92 laps including the last lap that brought home the win.
After Saturday night’s race, the first four out of the playoffs based on their current point standings are Denny Hamlin(16th), Erik Jones(15th), Jimmie Johnson(14th), and Clint Bowyer(13th). Now, the difference in points between Denny Hamlin in 16th place and Ryan Blaney in 12th is only 29 points. These last four drivers can still have a good run next week in Charlotte and race their way into the next round of the playoffs.
Next week’s race is at the Charlotte Roval, a new road course these drivers are racing on for the first time. There are opportunities for someone new to win and time will tell if maybe someone from the first four out of the playoffs can squeak into the next round.