The whole race changed after the eleventh and last caution came out in Saturday night’s Toyota Owners 400, as most of the drivers pitted while a few stayed out. When the green flag fell for the restart, craziness ensued and Kevin Harvick came out of nowhere to take the lead with two laps to go. That pass for the lead left him in victory lane after a race that could resulted in at least ten different winners. The ‘Closer’ did it again by doing what he does best and taking the victory after taking the lead late in the race. Carnage was the name of the game leading up to the last restart, but that wild ending will forever be the legacy of this race. Continue reading →
Kyle Busch leads the last restart of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Capital City 400 Presented by Virginia Is For Lovers at Richmond International Raceway April 28, 2012 Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
‘Rough,’ ‘tight,’ and ‘close’ are three words that could describe Richmond International Raceway. Fans love this track because of the ‘close’ corridor racing it features. Along with ‘tight’ racing comes carnage and races at Richmond tend to see their fair share of ‘tough’ beating and banging competition.
A driver who just about owns the keys to victory lane at Richmond is Kyle Busch. Busch won the last four Spring races at the track and will be going for five on Saturday night. Busch will do just about anything to win and that is one reason to believe this weekend’s race is a must-watch event.
The Toyota Owners 400 will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 and the green-flag will wave at 7:44 PM EST. The winner decision comes after a grueling 400 laps and 300 miles. Saturday night’s weather is forecast as mainly clear with some clouds, a low of 49 F and only a 20% chance of rain. A TV broadcast of the race is on FOX and a radio version of the race is on MRN.
Kyle Busch has absolutely dominated this track in the past and will likely be out front again on Saturday. Even when Busch has a not-so-good season, he still manages to win the Spring Richmond race. With Busch’s teammate, Denny Hamlin, still sidelined due to injury, Busch is the overwhelming favorite for this race. Last year, Busch broke out of his slump and took the victory. This season, he is still on a hot start and could easily dominate this race and end up in victory lane for a fifth straight time on Saturday.
Over the past few weeks, NASCAR has issued several penalties and fines and heading into this weekend, a few teams are waiting out an appeal on their penalties. Last week’s race winner, Matt Kenseth, was the victim of NASCAR’s harshest penalty. He received a dock of 50 driver points and a suspension of his crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, after his engine failed post-race inspection last weekend. Joe Gibbs Racing is appealing the fines and suspensions so Ratcliff will still be at the track until the appeal is heard. Joe Gibbs Racing now joins Penske Racing in the waiting area for their appeal process to take place.
While Kenseth is basically stripped of his win last weekend, Jimmie Johnson continues to stay on top of the point standings. Johnson’s teammate, Kasey Kahne, is now in second place and Brad Keselowski trails both in third. Richmond hasn’t always been nice to Johnson and he could end up losing the points lead after Saturday night’s race. Anything can happen on a short-track and that could mean a major points shake-up after the race.
The racing at Richmond never disappoints and this weekend’s race gives fans reason to expect another good one. Obviously, many are expecting Kyle Busch at his best this weekend, but other Toyota drivers including Clint Bowyer and Matt Kenseth could easily be competing with Busch for the win. Toyota drivers always seem to do the best at Richmond and it will only be fitting for a Toyota driver to win in a race they sponsor. Action will be the word used most on Saturday night and our anticipation keeps growing for that action. This weekend’s race will be a good one and could feature some fantastic racing which we’ve been accustomed to seeing so far this season. Continue reading →
One of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series most respected drivers – Jeff Burton – says he is ready for a little respect from NASCAR’s most competitive track – Talladega Superspeedway – during the Aaron’s 499 on May 5. Here Burton, known as “The Mayor” in NASCAR circles, tosses a bouquet of flowers in the trash, admitting he doesn’t plan on being a bridesmaid again at the 2.66-mile unpredictable track. A fan favorite, who will be featured as part of the Talladega Experience (NASCAR’s finest hospitality destination) on race morning, has five top-five finishes at Talladega, including a second place result in 2011 when he was edged at the finish line by then RCR teammate Clint Bowyer.
The most competitive racing in NASCAR combined with a mix of southern hospitality returns to Talladega Superspeedway May 3-5 for the Aaron’s Dream Weekend. Experience the excitement as the superstars of NASCAR attempt to tackle the high-banks of ‘DEGA at 200 mph. Secure your tickets at www.talladegasuperspeedway.com or by calling 877-Go2-DEGA. This is more than a race…This is Talladega!
Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, leads Joe Nemechek, driver of the #87 MaddiesPlaceRocks.com Toyota, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series STP Gas Booster 500 on April 7, 2013 at Martinsville Speedway Photo – Jerry Markland/Getty Images
Jimmie Johnson closed out a perfect weekend at Martinsville Speedway Sunday afternoon, winning the STP® Gas Booster™ 500 in dominant fashion.
Johnson started on the pole in a Chevrolet after a track-record qualifying run on Friday and then led 346 laps Sunday on the way to his 62nd career NASCAR Sprint Cup victory.
With the victory, his eighth at Martinsville, Johnson became the track’s all-time win leader among active drivers. He was tied with Jeff Gordon. Continue reading →
