Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown Features NASCAR Drivers & Celebrities

Many of NASCAR’s stars are coming out for the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Richmond International Raceway on Thursday, April 28. With the entry list finalized for the fourth annual race, here is a look at some of the notable drivers competing in the 75-lap shootout “under the lights”:

·         Denny Hamlin: The reason the race exists. Proceeds from the event will help raise awareness and funding for the specific needs of individuals afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis as well as other programs that support chronically ill children and underprivileged youth. The Chesterfield, VA native is still looking for his first win in this race. Last year Hamlin finished second in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship. He also has three wins at Richmond International Raceway (two Sprint Cup Series and one Nationwide Series).

·         Tony Stewart: After Hamlin, Stewart may be the fan favorite because of his hard-nosed racing style and his outspoken personality. Stewart’s first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win came at Richmond International Raceway in 1999. His total number of top-five and top-10 finishes at Richmond rank among the best at America’s Premier Short Track.

·         Kyle Busch: Perhaps no driver has figured out Richmond International Raceway better than Busch. In his 12 NASCAR Sprint Cup starts at Richmond, he has two wins, four runner-up finishes and 10 top-five finishes. He also has three wins here in the Nationwide Series. Additionally, he won the first two Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown events.

·         Kasey Kahne: Like many of the drivers mentioned here, Kahne cut his teeth on short tracks of any style of surface. He recorded his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win by taking the checkered flag at Richmond International Raceway in 2004.

·         Michael Waltrip: Despite retiring as a full-time NASCAR driver, Waltrip hasn’t lost his itch to drive. The successful team owner will have his hands full with all the Sprint Cup Series and Late Model stars.

·         Travis Pastrana: Known for his mastery of Motocross and garnering numerous X Games medals, Pastrana is also famous for his motocross stunts that have been broadcast worldwide. Pastrana is running twice on April 28, as he’ll be competing in the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race prior to the Showdown.

·         Joey Logano: The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is still getting accustomed to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He has had several decent runs at Richmond.

·         Trevor Bayne: Best known for winning the 2011 Daytona 500, Bayne has been successful in the Nationwide Series, as well. Last year he finished seventh in the point standings and finished third at the September Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond.

·         Aric Almirola: Driving for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series, Almirola is currently sixth in the Nationwide Series point standings, racking up two top-10 finishes.

·         Hermie Sadler: Recognized today for his prominence on SPEED-TV, Sadler competes part-time in all of NASCAR’s top three national touring series. The Emporia, VA native is sure to receive an ovation in his home state.

·         Clay Campbell: Whether or not you know it, the president of Martinsville Speedway is a racing aficionado and will compete in the Showdown. Campbell has raced in the Showdown before and is looking for a great finish at Richmond, a sister track of Martinsville.

·         CE Falk III: Those who attended Denny Hamlin’s Short Track Showdown last year know Falk from Victory Lane. A driver who competes weekly at Langley Speedway, Falk took the checkered flag last year, besting some of NASCAR’s top competitors.

RIR PR