NASCAR Betting: It comes down to the last race to decide the final two drivers who will make the Chase. That race will be the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond on Saturday night on ESPN. 14 of the 16 spots for the Chase have been wrapped up so just two remain. If nothing changes then it would be Ryan Newman and Greg Biffle getting the last two spots but anything is still possible. Let’s look at the race, the scenarios and NASCAR picks.
Richmond
The Federated Auto Parts 400 takes place at the Richmond International Raceway Notebook. There have been 116 Sprint Cup races at Richmond with two races each year since 1959. It helps to start up front at Richmond as the pole sitter has won 22 times. And starting in the Top 10 is almost a necessity as 77.5% of the race winners have had a Top 10 starting spot.
Chase Spots
14 of the 16 spots have been locked up with two remaining. There are technically 19 drivers who could still race their way into the Chase with a win but realistically only a few drivers have a real chance. Drivers already in the chase are Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, AJ Allmendinger, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, Kasey Kahne and Matt Kenseth.
Ryan Newman is in the best shape as he can finish 18th or better and make the Chase. He also gets in if he finishes 41st or better if there is driver who wins the race who has already won this season. Greg Biffle gets in if there is a repeat winner and he finishes 22nd or better. Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson are the only drivers who could catch Biffle or Newman in points. All other drivers need to win to get into the Chase.
NASCAR Picks
Jeff Gordon led 173 laps in the first Richmond race this season but finished second. He should be right in the hunt and he is listed with odds of 6-1. Brad Keselowski also figures to be right in the mix and he is also 6-1.
