Denny Hamlin took the checkered flag in Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The rest of the drivers battled for the remaining playoff spots in Denny Hamlin’s rear view mirror.
Denny Hamlin won in a green-white-checker finish as the 16th caution flew with only four laps remaining. As a result, Denny Hamlin collected his third win of the 2016 Sprint Cup season. Joe Gibbs Racing’s two drivers, Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin led 385 of the 407 laps.
“I said that I thought we were like an 8 1/2 on momentum,” Hamlin said. “I don’t believe in 10, so 9, 9 1/2 would be optimum. We also said if we won this race we’d go to a 9. Hard for me not to say it’s 9 1/2 at this point. It’s a great team effort here. We’ve got everything going for us. A also total team effort. Everyone at JGR building these fast, fast cars, can’t thank everyone enough.”
Denny Hamlin had already sealed his spot in the Chase before his night began. NASCAR rookie driver Chris Beuscher needed a top 30 in points finish to make his win in 2016 count. The youngster did just that when he crossed the finish line in 24th.
Chip Gnassi Racing’s Jamie McMurray grabbed the last available spot for the Chase. The veteran driver was on point, driving his #1 Sherman Williams Chevrolet to a seventh place finish.
Hendrick Motorsport’s prodigal son Chase Elliott raced his way into NASCAR’s version of the playoffs on Saturday night. He landed just inside the top 20, finishing in 19th. Elliott is the second rookie that will compete for a championship next week.
Austin Dillon also needed a gritty performance to race his way into the dance. Dillon could be found in the top 15 all night and finished the event with a much needed 13th place result. The #3 Dow Chevrolet will be in the running for NASCAR’s ultimate goal next week.
The real drama unfolded of of the .75 mile, paved oval of Richmond International Raceway. Once again, Tony Stewart threw an on track fit and Ryan Newman bore the brunt of his animosity. Furthermore, the debacle that took out Newman on Saturday night ruined his chances to make the playoffs.
The disgusted driver called Stewart “bipolar,” and said the veteran speedster had anger issues. In fact, he all but outright mentioned the 2014 incident in which Stewart fatally struck a sprint car driver.
“I guess he thought he was in a sprint car again and didn’t know how to control his anger. Just disappointing that you have somebody old like that that should be retired the way he drives.” Newman said. “I don’t think there was any reason other than him just being bipolar and having anger issues. Google Tony Stewart, you’ll see all kinds of things he’s done. Also, Look it up on YouTube, everything else. Quite the guy.”
Tony Stewart wrecked Brian Scott at Darlington Raceway in last week’s contest. Fortunately, the controversial racer is calling it quits after this season. Stewart had time to mellowed out before adding his two cents about the accident with 37 circuits to go.
Tony Stewart smirked, “Newman will get his wish in 10 weeks.”
The race at Richmond International Raceway was repeatedly stopped for a track-record 16 cautions. The constant visits to pit road caused crew chiefs to use different strategies for the use of their tire allotment.
Competing NASCAR Sprint Cup teams were allowed 10 sets of Goodyears before the race got underway. Kyle Larson made the choice to pit for new tires during the final caution.
Kyle Larson came out in 12th but sped through the field in the final five laps nearly catching Denny Hamlin. The surging driver reeled in a second place finish in the Federated Auto Parts 400.
Joe Gibbs Racing will once again field all four of it’s hot-rods in the 2016 Chase to the Championship. Martin Truex. Jr., who is like a first cousin to the team, will also be participating in his Furniture Row #78 Toyota.
Obviously, the Joe Gibbs Racing juggernaut will be a favorite to repeat as champions this year. Kyle Busch charged through the second half of the racing schedule last year, and claimed his first ever Sprint Cup championship with JGR.
The first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship will go down at Chicagoland Speedway next Sunday. The competing field starts with 16 drivers. They will slowly be eliminated over the next nine rounds until only four remain. Those four will battle it out for the championship on Nov. 20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The 16 qualifying drivers for the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship:
- Brad Keselowski
- Kyle Busch
- Denny Hamlin
- Kevin Harvick
- Carl Edwards
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Jimmie Johnson
- Matt Kenseth
- Joey Logano
- Kurt Busch
- Kyle Larson
- Tony Stewart
- Chris Buescher
- Chase Elliott
- Austin Dillon
- Jamie McMurray
