NASCAR Aric Almirola

186 posts

Matt Kenseth Dominates at Richmond as Chase Field is Set

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News

 

Joe Gibbs Racing brought guns to a knife fight on Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway.

But Joe Gibbs Racing’s Matt Kenseth did his teammates one better — he brought a howitzer.

Leading 352 of 400 laps in a race he owned from the outset, Kenseth pulled away from Kyle Busch after a restart with 18 laps left and won the Federated Auto Parts 400 by 0.951 seconds over his teammate.

Kenseth’s fourth victory of the season, tying him for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series lead with Jimmie Johnson and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch, meant the 16 drivers who started the race in playoff-eligible positions stayed there. Continue reading →

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond Preview

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Federated Auto Parts 400

The Place: Richmond International Raceway

The Date: Saturday, Sept. 12

The Time: 7:30 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBCSN, 7 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 300 miles (400 laps)

Chase Clinch Scenarios for Richmond

Jamie McMurray will lock up his first career Chase berth simply by starting the race on Saturday night. For three others, it’s a little tougher – but certainly doable. Ryan Newman clinches by finishing 31st or better; Jeff Gordon by finishing 17th or better; and Paul Menard by finishing ninth or better – and that’s all regardless of who wins the race. If there’s a repeat winner, the scenarios become less daunting. For winless drivers beyond Menard, there will be some frayed nerves. If there’s a repeat winner, Clint Bowyer is in good shape, needing only a finish of 28th or better. For those winless drivers lower in points than Bowyer, a Richmond win is realistically the only path to the Chase.

Here’s a full look at the Chase clinch scenarios for Saturday night’s race:

Regardless of Who Wins at Richmond…

Jamie McMurray clinches by starting the race.

Ryan Newman clinches by finishing 31st or better; 32nd with at least one lap led; or 33rd with the most laps led.

Jeff Gordon clinches by finishing 17th or better; 18th with at least one lap led; or 19th with the most laps led.

Paul Menard clinches by finishing ninth or better; tenth with at least one lap led; or 11th with the most laps led. Continue reading →

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Preview

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Track News

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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Next Race: Bojangles’ Southern 500

The Place: Darlington Raceway

The Date: Sunday, Sept. 6

The Time: 7 p.m. (ET)

TV: NBC, 7 p.m. (ET)

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90

Distance: 501.3 miles (367 laps)

 

Darlington Not ‘Too Tough to Tame’ for Gordon

Making his last start at Darlington Sunday in the Bojangles’ Southern 500, Jeff Gordon will attempt to add to his active record of seven wins at the track ‘Too Tough To Tame.’ Continue reading →

Matt Kenseth Cruises to Dominant Sprint Cup Victory at Michigan

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

From Matt Kenseth’s point of view, the competition package NASCAR used at Michigan International Speedway could well have had a big, bright bow on it.

The Coors Light Polesitter for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Kenseth quickly exhibited his mastery of the high-drag aerodynamic package, leading 146 of 200 laps in winning for the third time this season, the third time at Michigan and the 34th time in his career.

The 2003 premier series champion had to survive a restart with 13 laps left, after Jimmie Johnson spun off turn four to cause the eighth and last caution of the race. With a push from Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, Kenseth cleared Kevin Harvick after the lap 187 restart and went on to win by 1.722 seconds. Continue reading →