The Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway will give NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers one more chance to make the Chase. All he needs is a 17th-place finish at Richmond and he’s in no matter what anyone else does.
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There have been 13 winners this year, and all 13 are in the top-30 in points. In eight NXS starts, the former Xfinity Champ has one top-five finish and five top-10 finishes. As with any short track event, there are a ton of points available in the laps led and fastest laps run categories, and obtaining as many of these points as possible is a must to build a winning lineup. Dillon must finish eighth or better to clinch if there’s a new victor, 30th if there’s not. But if there is a new victor, he’s just nine points ahead of Jamie McMurray for what would be the final spot. Short-track guy? Maybe, because he was 35th at MI. With a repeat victor – or if Elliott, Dillon or McMurray wins and Buescher drops from the Top 30, Newman still needs 20 points to clinch (21st-place finish with no laps led, 22nd-place finish with one lap led or a 23rd-place finish with most laps led).
Although the Chase is the ultimate goal, Kahne, who has only two top-five finishes in 25 races, is just as focused on building momentum for the future.
Austin Dillon (0 Wins, 651 Points, +304 Points Ahead of 31st) – Would clinch on Points with 33 Points (8th and no laps led, 9th and led at least one lap, 10th and led most laps) and a new victor. If there is a repeat victor and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30, he would clinch on points regardless of finish. With a repeat victor, a new victor, a win by Chase Elliott and Buescher falls out of the top 30, Dillon needs 11 points to clinch: 30th and no laps led, 31st and one lap led, 32nd and most laps led. To do that, Newman would have to finish 22nd or worse. Newman’s best career track average (11.7) is at Richmond.
Newman, who hasn’t won a race since Indianapolis in 2013, has advanced to the Chase in each of the past three seasons. His best finish was 20th twice.
Chris Buescher: Buescher owns all tiebreakers with Ragan, so his 11-point edge is really 12 points.
“Richmond is one of those places that changes on you pretty quick”, Buescher said. He has just one Cup start there, starting 33rd and finishing 34th in the spring.
Gordon hasn’t put up the numbers he did on a consistent basis in his final full-time season a year ago – did anyone expect him to? – but four top 15s in five starts show he hasn’t lost his touch. David Ragan hasn’t had a whole lot of success, and driving for BK Racing in April, he was 23rd.
There are seven drivers on the bubble with a legitimate shot to make it in, but it’s going to be tougher for some more so than others.
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Buescher has the required victory, at Pocono Raceway on August 1, but must also meet the requirement of finishing among the top 30 in points.
