Fast Forward ~ The Toyota Owners 400 At Richmond Fantasy Race Picks And Preview
“The future is like a corridor into which we can see only by the light coming from behind.”
–Edward Weyer, Jr.
The Track: Richmond International Raceway
Season Race #: 9 of 36 (04-26-14)
Track Size: 0.75-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 14 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 14 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,290 feet
Backstretch Length: 860 feet
Race Length: 400 laps / 300 miles
The Race: The Toyota Owners 400
400 Laps/ 300 Miles
Defending Champion: Kevin Harvick, 92.141 MPH
Most recent winner: Carl Edwards, 105.028 MPH
Track Record: Dale Jarrett, 109.047 MPH- September 1997
Race Record: Rusty Wallace, 108.499 MPH- March 1997
Qualifying record: Jeff Gordon, 130.599 MPH- September, 2013
TV: FOX, 7:30 PM EST
The History:
· Originally known as the Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds, Richmond International Raceway held its first race in 1946 as a half-mile dirt track.
· The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was April 19, 1953 won by Lee Petty.
· The spring 1964 race was run on a Tuesday night under temporary lighting.
· The track name changed to Virginia State Fairgrounds in 1967.
· The track surface was changed from dirt to asphalt between races in 1968.
· The track name changed to Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in 1969.
· The track was re-measured to .542-mile for 1970.
· The track was rebuilt as a three-quarters-mile D-shaped oval following the Feb. 21, 1988 race.
· The first race under permanent lights was Sept. 7, 1991.
·
The first season with both races as night races was 1999.
The Contenders:
Top 10 Driver Ratings at Richmond
Denny Hamlin............................ 114.8
Kyle Busch............................... 111.9
Kevin Harvick............................ 110.0
Clint Bowyer.............................. 100.7
Tony Stewart............................... 96.5
Jeff Gordon................................ 96.0
Kurt Busch.................................. 92.2
Ryan Newman............................. 91.6
Carl Edwards.............................. 90.1
Jimmie Johnson.......................... 88.5
Note: Compiled from 2005-2013 races among active
drivers at Richmond International Raceway
The Picks:
Before we get to this week’s picks, let’s review how everyone did at Darlington…
Player |
Selection |
Race Pts |
Previous Pts |
Total Pts |
Behind |
Wins |
DNFs |
Mr. Winner |
20 |
42 |
322 |
364 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Mr. Pole |
4 |
48 |
313 |
361 |
-3 |
2 |
0 |
Mr. Seven |
24 |
38 |
299 |
337 |
-27 |
0 |
0 |
PattyKay Lilley |
11 |
26 |
283 |
309 |
-55 |
1 |
0 |
Jim Fitzgerald |
24 |
38 |
267 |
305 |
-59 |
0 |
0 |
Barbara |
42 |
36 |
268 |
304 |
-60 |
1 |
1 |
Brian Marchetti |
24 |
38 |
263 |
301 |
-63 |
0 |
0 |
Vivian |
11 |
26 |
274 |
300 |
-64 |
2 |
2 |
Alabama Fitz |
18 |
38 |
251 |
289 |
-75 |
1 |
0 |
Robyn Vandenberg |
18 |
38 |
249 |
287 |
-77 |
1 |
0 |
Nate |
24 |
38 |
246 |
284 |
-80 |
0 |
1 |
Darrell |
16 |
40 |
218 |
258 |
-106 |
0 |
2 |
Kevin Abraham |
11 |
26 |
220 |
246 |
-118 |
0 |
1 |
Here are our picks for Saturday Night at Richmond…
KEVIN ABRAHAM: I’m in the basement, so I’ll go first, and I will make my pick quick and easy. I will take Kevin Harvick for the win.
JIM FITZGERALD: That’s it? No reason, just picking Harvick?
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Yup.
JIM FITZGERALD: Should be an outstanding column this week…
ALABAMA FITZ: Kevin, I think Harvick is a good choice here considering he has two wins in his last five races here.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Kevin, I'll see your Happy and raise you a Rowdy! Kyle... Busch, that is, has won 4 of the last 5 spring races run at Richmond. What more could a girl ask for? Mama will be ridin' shotgun with Kyle Busch on Saturday night, with a fully charged Interstate Battery and tossin' back M&Ms for good luck. See you boys at the finish line... if you ever get there. I'm takin' a bow this week... along with my second win.
ALABAMA FITZ: Mama, I looked close at Kyle and almost picked him, but his last three races here have been disasters. Otherwise, he would have been my pick also.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: I saw that, but his record in the spring race is darn near flawless. Remember, the fall race at Richmond is that debacle that sets up my least favorite part of racing... the part that makes a good sport phony. Kyle does not respond well to that pressure, and I think he'd be first to confirm that. Looking at spring alone, when it's not panic time, you see a different picture... at least I did. As I said Fitz, see ya at the finish line.
ALABAMA FITZ: You could be right, Patty, but one of those disasters I spoke of was the spring race last year when he finished out of the Top 10. He could be ready for a rebound. No matter who I pick, there is always the nagging in the back of the mind.
JIM FITZGERALD: I strongly considered Kyle Busch, and if a previous 2014 race winner is going to win at Richmond this week, it just might be him.
BRIAN MARCHETTI: But you’re not taking him?
JIM FITZGERALD: No, sir…not this week.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Well, PK, between the two of us we have the last five spring races covered. I will win or blow up trying to win.
PATTYKAY LILLEY: Be careful what you say; the racing gods
might hear you. After all, you are
talking about the new “King of DNFs”, haha!
ROBYN VANDENBERG: Speaking of DNFs, I’m hoping my pick has scored his last one. I’m taking Kasey Kahne because he can’t go anywhere but up.
JIM FITZGERALD: I’m not sure Kahne does it for me here, but he did get his first career win at Richmond. Now, that said, I’m sure he’ll make a fool out of me and win.
ALABAMA FITZ: Robyn, I've seen some people make some gutsy calls here, including you and including this one. I like Kasey's style, but he hasn't been running that well this year, so I shied away from him. He could be the surprise here, but his past Richmond record doesn't indicate it.
KEVIN ABRAHAM: Kahne is an interesting pick. Hope you don't roll snake eyes.
ALABAMA FITZ: I have all my reasons that I won’t pick Busch, Gordon, Johnson, Hamlin or Harvick. I will just say my driver this week has two wins here, one as recent as the fall race of 2012; three of his last four in Richmond have been 7th or better; and nine of his 16 races here have been Top 10 finishes. I'm taking Clint Bowyer.
JIM FITZGERALD: Well, folks, this week my driver and I are together because our paths have aligned like goal posts in the endzone. After scoring seven wins last season, I've yet been unable to find the magic required to get me back to the Winner's Circle. I need beer sprayed in my face, a Sprint girl at my side, and a big kiss from my wife. Matt Kenseth finds himself in the same spot. Seven wins last year, and a goose egg this season. He's won here before, but it was 12 years ago. However, last year, he did lead 140 laps after starting on the pole. I'm calling out Kenseth this week, and we're going to go to Home Depot afterwards for materials to build our 2014 trophy case.
ALABAMA FITZ: Someone told me last year I have to follow the brain and not the heart. You have chosen.... wisely.....maybe. Bowyer just barely edged Matt out for me. As for the trophy case, what you're telling us is that the trophy you won from last year’s run is sitting on a shelf collecting dust?
JIM FITZGERALD: Absolutely not. I said I have to build my 2014 trophy case. The 2013 case is full.
BRIAN MARCHETTI: I'm going with Kyle Busch this week, for no reason other than he's going to Win. He has all the numbers, all the skills, and he's driving the right car. Hamlin, Harvick, and Bowyer will all be there with him, and I never even looked at Johnson's numbers, but he'll be there too, because the guy just won't go away. Look for Gordon in a Top 10 too. Kyle loves this track, one that if I back up 6 or 7 years ago, I would tell you Denny Hamlin owned the whole City of Richmond. Kyle has what it takes this season, and he finishes first this week. Let’s see what our fans have to say for this week.
Barbara: The more I think, the more confused I get! There are going to be some pretty pushy drivers out there - increasing each week they don’t perform a win. There are just too many that would make sense - and with that in mind - instead of making some sense and picking Happy Harvick, think I’m playing a long shot again and let #15 Clint Bowyer show his determination and new life influence and pick him to cross the line first.
Darrell: Simply put, it’s Denny Time. I’m taking Denny Hamlin for the win this weekend at Richmond.
Nate: I’m with Darrell. I’m taking Hamlin to win as well because he is usually strong here, and he needs that win.
Vivian: All the rules changes for the chase and cars seem to be bringing about a different type of racing this season. It is as if some of the teams are gaining more advantage than others, but I think one racer is about to make his entry for a spot in the chase. I am choosing Kyle Busch to win at Richmond this Saturday under the lights.
There you have it! Information for the race, the top contenders, and the official picks. We hope our picks have helped you with yours, and you score excellently. We’ll see how that all works out when we come nack next week to talk about Talladega, but until then, keep the shiny side up!
Our Picks For This Week!
Kevin Abraham |
Alabama Fitz |
Jim Fitzgerald |
PattyKay Lilley |
Brian Marchetti |
Robyn Vandenberg |
Darrell |
Nate |
Who is YOUR pick to win this week?
Correctly choose the winner before the green flag drops on Saturday, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win some racing stuff!