Joey Logano was penciled into a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Now you can write his name in indelible ink. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Toyota Owners 400
Sprint Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Preview
When Will Johnson, Kenseth Quench Wins Thirst?
Here’s a stat that properly illustrates how weird this Jimmie Johnson/Matt Kenseth “drought” is: The last time neither won any of the first eight races, Johnson wasn’t even in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series yet.
The year was 2001. Johnson was in his second full season of NASCAR Nationwide Series competition. Kenseth was in his second full season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and battling a bit of a sophomore slump. He went winless and finished outside the top-ten in the last championship standings. Continue reading
Richmond’s Track Takeover Includes Exhibits and Drivers on the Backstretch
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Richmond International Raceway’s Track Takeover isn’t just about the frontstretch entertainment. There’s also plenty of fun on the backstretch, where every ticket gets you up close and personal with the track you love on Saturday, April 26. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Parker Kligerman and Cole Whitt headline the backstretch Q&A sessions, chatting with fans just hours before the green flag waves for the TOYOTA OWNERS 400. Continue reading
Carnage-Filled Race Leaves the Closer in Victory Lane
Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Bell Helicopter Chevrolet, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on April 27, 2013
Photo – Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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
Richmond Toyota Owners 400 Preview
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