TEAM CHEVY NASCAR RACE ADVANCE: Richmond Raceway - Speedway Digest

With the two-week Olympic break in the rearview mirror, the NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) will return to competition this weekend – taking on the .75-mile, D-shaped oval of Richmond Raceway. Drivers and teams of NASCAR’s top division have already made a stop at the Virginia short-track earlier this season – an event that saw Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson lead Team Chevy with a podium finish. For the NCTS, this weekend will mark its first and only appearance at Richmond Raceway this season, with “The Action Track” set to host the final race of the series’ regular season.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway:

The green flag for Sunday’s Cook Out 400 will mark the NASCAR Cup Series’ 136th appearance at Richmond Raceway. Throughout the series’ rich history at the .75-mile Virginia short-track, 17 different drivers have delivered Chevrolet a combined 40 victories to lead its manufacturer competitors.

Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson is credited for Chevrolet’s one victory in the series’ Next Gen era – recorded in the April 2023 event. The 32-year-old Elk Grove, California, native is one of three active Team Chevy drivers with a win at Richmond Raceway in NASCAR’s top division, with Larson joining the likes of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Alex Bowman, with one victory, and the track’s winningest active driver, Kyle Busch, with six wins.

Chevrolet also owns the record for the manufacturer with the longest streak of consecutive wins at the Virginia short-track. The record was set nearly 16 years ago after four different drivers earned a combined six-straight victories for Chevrolet at “The Action Track” – recorded from May 2006 to Sept. 2008. Seven-time NCS Champion Jimmie Johnson is credited with three of those victories, with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer also each tallying a triumph that led to the Bowtie brand’s record-setting streak.

FOUR SPOTS REMAIN WITH FOUR-TO-GO

Richmond Raceway will mark the NASCAR Cup Series’ final four-race stretch towards the end of its regular season. There have been 12 different drivers that have already earned a victory and a playoff berth this season, with five coming from the Chevrolet camp, including all four Hendrick Motorsports drivers (Kyle Larson – four wins; William Byron – three wins; Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman – one win each) and Trackhouse Racing’s Daniel Suarez. Heading into the weekend, four positions remain up for grabs to complete the series’ 16-driver playoff field. Of the four drivers that currently sit above the playoff cutline includes Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, who will head to Richmond Raceway in the 16th position and seven-points above the cutline.

Among the four different tracks left in the NCS’ regular season, Chevrolet has earned at least one victory in the Next Gen era at three of those venues. In addition to Larson’s victory at Richmond Raceway in April 2023, the Next Gen Camaro ZL1 has made three trips to victory lane at both Daytona International Speedway and Darlington Raceway – the most among its manufacturer competitors since the vehicle’s competition debut in 2022. Two of those victories came from Team Chevy drivers that currently sit in a must-win situation to solidify a playoff spot: Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon (Daytona – Aug. 2022) and JTG Daugherty Racing’s Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Daytona – Feb. 2023).

Rowdy at Richmond:

Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch may be sitting on the outside looking in, but the series’ seasoned veteran will look to capitalize on his playoff pressure experience to secure one of the final four postseason positions. The 39-year-old Las Vegas, Nevada, native is one of only two drivers to earn multiple championship titles in the series’ elimination era. In addition, Busch holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in the Championship Four with five over the last 10 years.

Faced with a must-win scenario, Busch will have a boost of confidence as the Team Chevy driver heads to a track that has fared statistically well for him throughout his storied career. Busch is the series’ winningest active driver at Richmond Raceway with six trips to victory lane in 37 career starts. The two-time champion has earned top-10 finishes in 11 of his last 13 starts at the track – a stretch that also includes a sweep of the wins in the 2018 events and four podium finishes. Busch also leads the series’ active drivers in runner-up finishes (seven), top-fives (19) and top-10s (28).

HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS’ ANNIVERSARY SEASON BOOSTING STRONG STATS

While celebrating its 40th anniversary, Hendrick Motorsports is on track to putting together one of its best seasons yet. The organization’s four drivers have earned a combined nine wins in 22 points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races – a winning percentage of 41 percent on the season. Since Hendrick Motorsports’ inaugural season in 1984, the Chevrolet organization has earned the highest winning percentage in nine different seasons. Topping the list is the 2007 season when Jeff Gordon, Casey Mears, Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson collected a combined 18 wins and a winning percentage of 50%. The organization’s current driver lineup has added to this record once in 2021, with Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman securing a combined 17 victories that season.

WHITE FLAG FOR NCTS REGULAR SEASON

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series’ 16-race regular season will come to a close at Richmond Raceway this weekend, with Saturday’s Clean Harbor 250 determining the final three drivers that will earn a playoff berth and a shot at the championship title. Among the seven drivers that have already solidified a spot in the postseason includes five drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations.

Three of Team Chevy’s full-time NCTS drivers have contributed to the manufacturer’s series-leading nine victories thus far this season, including McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes (three wins), Rev Racing’s Nick Sanchez (one win) and Spire Motorsports’ Rajah Caruth (one win). After collecting top-five finishes in the series’ last race at the Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, Eckes’ teammate Tyler Ankrum and CR7 Motorsports’ Grant Efinger both punched a ticket into the postseason.

While entering the weekend on the outside looking in, McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Daniel Dye sits just five-points below the playoff cutline. The 20-year-old DeLand, Florida, native has seen a strong improvement in his sophomore season – earning five top-10 finishes this season, including a career-best runner-up finish at Nashville Superspeedway earlier this summer.

Chevrolet in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Richmond Raceway:

Richmond Raceway has hosted 15 events for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, with Chevrolet leading the way with seven victories – a win count more than double its manufacturer competitors combined (Ford – three wins; Toyota – three wins). Among those wins includes both the series’ inaugural and most recent events at the .75-mile Virginia oval, with Terry Labonte (No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet) earning the Bowtie brand’s first victory at the track in Sept. 1995, and Carson Hocevar (No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet) scoring the win in July 2023.

Eckes Leads in Regular Season Battle:

McAnally-Hilgemann Racing’s Christian Eckes is closing in on his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series regular season title, with the 23-year-old Middletown, New York, native entering the Richmond race weekend with a 50-point lead over second-place Corey Heim. Week-after-week, the Team Chevy driver has proven to be a title contender. In 15 races this season, Eckes’ three victories have been accompanied by nine top-fives and a series-leading 14 top-10s. Eckes will head to the Virginia short-track with momentum from four-straight podium finishes, including a win at Nashville Superspeedway and a pair of runner-up finishes (WWTR and IRP). Eckes also leads the series with 698 laps led in 2,281 laps completed – earning an incredible laps led percentage of 30.6 percent on the season.

BOWTIE BULLETS:

· With 58 races complete across NASCAR’s three national series this season, Chevrolet has a winning percentage of 51.7% with 30 victories (NASCAR Cup Series – 10 wins; NASCAR Xfinity Series – 11 wins; NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – nine wins).

· Active Chevrolet drivers with a NASCAR Cup Series win at Richmond Raceway:

Kyle Busch: six wins (2018 sweep, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009)

Kyle Larson: two wins (2023, 2017)

Alex Bowman: one win (2021)

· In 94 points-paying races in the Next Gen era, Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 47 victories – a winning percentage of 50%.

· Team Chevy’s Kyle Larson and William Byron are the only two drivers with a double-digit win record in the NASCAR Cup Series’ Next Gen era – each recording 11 victories since the vehicle’s competition debut in 2022.

· Among the seven drivers that have already secured a playoff berth in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series includes five drivers from four different Chevrolet organizations (McAnally-Hilgemann Racing – Christian Eckes and Tyler Ankrum; Rev Racing – Nick Sanchez; Spire Motorsports – Rajah Caruth; CR7 Motorsports – Grant Enfinger).

· With its 42 NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships, 33 NASCAR Cup Series Driver Championships, and 861 all-time NASCAR Cup Series wins, Chevrolet continues to hold the title as the winningest brand in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 799
Toyota: 786 (-13)
Ford: 770 (-29)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 745
Toyota: 708 (-37)
Ford: 644 (-101)

Manufacturer Points Standings

Chevrolet: 568
Toyota: 527 (-41)
Ford: 483 (-85)

TUNE-IN:

NASCAR Cup Series

Cook Out 400

Sunday, August 11, at 6 p.m. ET

(USA Network, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Clean Harbors 250

Saturday, August 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET

(FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90)

QUOTABLE QUOTES:

Ross Chastain, No. 1 Jockey Infinite Cool Underwear Camaro ZL1

What do you think about running the option tire at Richmond?

“It does create another option for us and we are going to have to use the 45-minute practice session on Saturday to learn these tires. It’s going to put a lot on us as race teams, but I think it will make for a more entertaining race on Sunday and that’s what we are all about.”

What did you think about how the option tire worked looking back at North Wilkesboro?

“I thought it was good. The softer tire lasted a whole lot longer than we thought. Obviously, those tires won the race. The trick is learning how long the soft tires will last. If you figure that out, you will have a leg up on everyone.”

You’ve talked about speed and grip, has something changed from last year or is it just the continued evolution of the Cup Series and the cars?

“We came out of the box strong with this car and we are continuing to push the edge and try and be the fastest in the top level of our sport. It’s tough to stay on top. What I am experiencing is it’s very challenging. We’re still putting in the work, we’re still showing up and working hard to get it back.”

What do you think about running the new Jockey paint scheme this weekend at Richmond?

“The new paint scheme is a cheeky way to showcase the incredible comfort of Jockey Infinite Cool underwear. Racing in the summer heat can be intense, and knowing I’ve got the best cooling gear on makes all the difference. I can’t wait to hit the track and see the fans’ reactions!”

Austin Dillon, No. 3 Bass Pro Shops Camaro ZL1

Where does Richmond rank on your short-track favorites?

“In my opinion, Richmond Raceway is one of the best short tracks in the country. It is fast, it is a fun track, and it is also one of the most challenging for a driver to keep up with the track conditions as rubber lays down and the temperature drops throughout the day. It is very difficult to keep the car’s balance the entire time. As a race fan, it is a good place to enjoy a race, and it is fun to watch the strategy part of 400 laps play out during the race. Some guys will take multiple sets of tires during a stage, while others will only take one set of tires and try to make a full run on that one set. The racing action is slick and enjoyable.”

Corey LaJoie, No. 7 Advisor Advantage / Clear Spring Camaro ZL1

How is the option tire going to influence the competition over the course of the weekend?

“We have four opportunities to punch our ticket to the playoffs. The option tire will be a new variable and a new challenge for the teams to overcome. I’m ready to get back to work after the break and finish the year strong.”

Kyle Busch, No. 8 Cheddar’s Patriotic Camaro ZL1

The spring race at Richmond started on wet weather tires. What can be done to make the wet weather racing better on a short track?

“I thought NASCAR did a good job getting the race started at Richmond in the spring while being on the wet weather tires. I felt like there were some guys that went hard to start and burn their tires up and other guys who kind of came on a little bit stronger later. I would say the only thing that I didn’t like was that the run was too short for the guys that were better on the long run to shine versus those who took off and ran too hard to start.”

The start time for this race at Richmond will be in the early evening with a finish after dark. How big of a factor are those changing temperatures and track conditions?

“I think the night racing at Richmond is the best racing at Richmond. I don’t know that it’ll really make that big of a difference besides the sun going down and being a little bit blinding into turn three but once you get past that into darkness, it’s just a normal Richmond race.”

This race will have a tire strategy element similar to the All-Star race. What effect do you think that will have in the race?

“I think adding in some variable and some differences to some of our races isn’t such a bad thing. It will definitely lend itself to those that want to be aggressive and use their soft tires earlier versus later in the race. The other difference in how the night will flow will obviously be based off of how The natural cautions fall.”

Daniel Hemric, No. 31 Cirkul Camaro ZL1

“The short tracks have been a bit of a tall task for us figure out in this car, but everyone has been working hard to identify the areas we need to improve on. I think Richmond will be a challenge for us, but it’s one we are up for. I’m excited to be back from our two-week break and get back to normal business, which is racing every weekend from now until Phoenix.”

Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Bowman on racing at Richmond Raceway:

“It’s been refreshing to have the Olympic break.. but I’m certainly ready to get back racing. It’s always nice to compete at Richmond (Raceway). We got a win there (Richmond Raceway) back in 2021 and this spring Blake (Harris) and I qualified well. I think we learned a few things and hopefully we can use that knowledge to perform well this Sunday in the night race.”

Blake Harris, Crew Chief, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1

Harris on the summer race at Richmond Raceway and the prime versus wet tire choice at Richmond Raceway:

“I thought we had a pretty good No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro in the spring Richmond race. We had a really good Saturday and qualified well. I’m looking forward to this weekend and fine tuning some things that we think we have found to improve since then. The option tire will certainly be interesting. There are not enough tires to the point that you would have to run them- it looks like Saturday is clearing up but we should get some practice on it and see how it runs.”

Zane Smith, No. 71 Focused Health Camaro ZL1

Second half of the season is here, how are you feeling after the two-week break, heading into Richmond?

“I enjoyed the two-week break and feel recharged heading into the second half of the season. We have had a lot of positive momentum on our side the last couple of races and continuing to build off that should set us up for some really good finishes. I am thankful for my 71 Spire Motorsports team and all the hard work they put into making the car better and better every weekend. Looking forward to getting back to Richmond this weekend!”

Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Delaware Life Camaro ZL1

You had a chance to reset during the break, and you are returning to a track in which you’ve visited victory lane. Do you feel ready to go this week at Richmond?

“I’m excited to go racing, especially because we ran well the last few weeks before we went on break. To be able to finally go back racing is going to be a lot of fun for our group. My last showing at Richmond wasn’t what we wanted, but the transition from trucks to Cup is a whole new level. Knowing what it takes to run solid and win at Richmond still applies. I’m hoping we can bounce back and show what we’re really capable of at this track.”

You won a micro-sprint race at Millbridge Speedway in Salisbury, N.C., during the two-week break. Does racing in other classes help you sharpen your skills in a Cup car?

“I see it as a positive to be able to race whenever possible. It’s fun to go race, and it helps me stay sharp during the time off. Not being in a race car for two full weeks feels super weird, so being able to compete, race and even win is beneficial for me. It gets me ready to go back to racing the rest of the season.”

Daniel Suarez, No. 99 Choice Privileges Camaro ZL1

How was your trip to Brazil?

“It was pretty eventful. I got to marry the love of my life and celebrate with friends and family. Being able to do that was such a cool moment. As for racing, it was great, it was a lot of fun to race at Interlagos and learn a lot about the race, about the cars, about the drivers and about the rules too. Overall, it was a very positive weekend. I hope that one day I can come back and race again.”

What do you think of the new tire rule at Richmond?

“I’m a big fan of this. Because you’re going to see different options. You’re going have to play around with different tires a little bit more and I think that doesn’t make them feel even more.

Right now, it’s not a secret that it’s not easy to pass, like in the old five years ago. […] It takes more work to be able to do something like that. So, I feel like having option tires is one more thing into the equation of the stride and I am a big fan of that.”

What are your thoughts looking back on the Brickyard 400?

“My team did a great job with the strategy. Our car wasn’t horrible, we just never had the track position that we wanted to, to show the speed of the car. We needed to be faster on the straightaways. But all-in-all, I felt like we had a decent Chevy. Still have some work to do, but the team executed a great strategy, so we will take it.”

Connor Zilisch, No. 7 Silver Hare Racing Silverado RST

How have you been preparing for your first truck race on an oval?

“Richmond will be a good challenge for me. I’ve run a lot of ovals in ARCA and late models, so I feel like I’ve been preparing myself all year. We were good in the truck at COTA, but the truck will race a lot differently on an oval. I am excited to get out there.”

Is there any track you’ve raced at this year that compares to Richmond?

“It is somewhat similar to IRP, and you can draw comparisons from Pensacola. But for the most part, nothing is quite like Richmond. The biggest thing I have focused on is my preparation. I wanted to make sure when I show up on Saturday, I know what I’m getting myself into.”

What are your expectations for the weekend?

“I’ve been running well on the ovals and learning quickly. My goal for the year has been to continue to prepare myself each week for the next oval, most of which I’ve never seen before. I believe as long as I prepare, I can be just as successful as anyone else. I’ll show up Saturday ready to go, and hopefully we can put the No. 7 Silver Hare Silverado in victory lane.”

Bayley Currey, No. 41 DQS Silverado RST

What are some differences between driving a truck vs. a Xfinity car at Richmond?

“Mainly just the corner speed, there’s a lot more corner speed in a truck there compared to the Xfinity car. There’s a little less wheel spin, too. Trucks at Richmond, like a lot of these places, are momentum-based so you have to try and keep that up while not smoking the tires off. That’s a big deal here especially for us.”

Matt Mills, No. 42 J.F. Electric / Utilitra Silverado RST

What is it about Richmond that tends to fit your driving style?

“Richmond is one of those tracks that you have to be disciplined the whole race. What you do and how you drive the truck on lap one is going to affect how it drives on lap 40. So, just being aware of that and how big the tire falloff is there is important. You have to balance when it’s time to get positions and when you have to manage your tires. Honestly, it’s not a track for an aggressive driving style, and I think that mine is more calculated, so that helps. It’s a home track for me since I was born in Lynchburg, VA, so that has always added some extra motivation as well. It’s been a good rhythm track for me.”

Kaden Honeycutt, No. 45 Moore’s Venture Foods Silverado RST

Do you think having all the recent late model experience will tend to help you save tires on Saturday?

“I think for Richmond, if you’re fast at the start, you’re going to be fast for the whole race; but if you’re not, you’re just not going to be quick at all from start to finish. From what I’ve seen in the past, if you can take off quick on the short run and be able to manage your stuff throughout the whole stage, you’re going to be good. You don’t want to push it too much, especially if you spin the right rear tire. If you do that, you’re just going to make it mad, and you’ll be very free just like a late model. So, you just have to manage that throughout the night. That’s the way to go.”

Rajah Caruth, No. 71 HendrickCars.com Silverado RST

Richmond is your home track, the place you saw your first race and the site of your first national series start. How special is the venue to you?

“It’s been 10 years since the first race I ever went to. I even have the date, September 5, 2014, tattooed on me. It’s pretty surreal to look back on. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. I remember I was 12-years-old and was surprised with tickets to my first NASCAR race, the Xfinity Series race that fall. Then you look at this season, with how well things have gone and to be in the mix for a championship, it has been quite a ride. I just feel really good about this weekend at this place that is pretty special to me. Hopefully we can have some good momentum to bring into Milwaukee and the playoffs.”

The playoffs start next time out at Milwaukee. How are you getting prepared to go racing for a championship?

“I’m honestly not doing much different. I’ve been mentally getting into the mindset since Nashville. I haven’t taken much time off these last two weeks. Everything is just amplified and everyone is getting excited. I’d be a lot more stressed if we were trying to lock in, but since we got our win and are fifth in points, we are in a really good spot. I’m just ready to compete for a championship and try to be one of the final four at Phoenix.”

Chase Purdy, No. 77 Bama Buggies Silverado RST

In a must win situation, how are you going to attack the weekend?

“We have to remain focused and execute on everything we can. It is all or nothing. We have to put ourselves in position to win and make zero mistakes.”

You’ve run well at Richmond in the past, what about the track suits your driving style?

“Richmond is hard on tires, and a tough place to race, in general. It is a place I’ve had speed at. It is a great place to have an opportunity to capitalize on Saturday night.”

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