Federated Auto Parts 400 Need to Know - The Motorsports News Source Review

On February 21st, we began the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season in the Daytona 500. Now 25 races later we are in Richmond and today we decide the 16 drivers who will be competing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Chase for the Sprint Cup. Many contenders have stepped up to the plate but for the first time in a few years, we don't have a clear favorite to win the championship on the statistical side. In 2014, Kevin Harvick absolutely dominated the season and in 2015, Kyle Busch returned from injury and dominated. We also have 13 drivers who still have a chance in entering the chase but they must win. Those drivers will be documented in the Clinch Scenarios.

Notable Starters 

  • Chris Buescher starts 31st. Buescher must remain in the Top-30 which may be a very interesting task. More Details below
  • Chase Elliott starts 34th. Elliott can point his way in. More details below.
  • Austin Dillon starts 8th. He also can point his way in. More details below.
  • Jamie McMurray starts 4th. Also a driver who can point his way in to the chase. 
  • Ryan Newman starts 15th. With the penalty last weekend it'll make it interesting for him.
  • Kasey Kahne starts 7th. Striving for Chris Buescher to miss the chase. 

Chase Clinch Scenarios

Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images North America
  • Chris Buescher will have a stressful night. Buescher would Clinch a Top 30 spot on his own with 34 Points (7th and no laps led, 8th and led at least one lap, 9th and led most laps), which would clinch him a spot in the Chase.
  • Chase Elliott is in kind of a comfy spot but could get real sketchy real quick. Elliott would clinch on points with 24 Points (17th and no laps led, 18th and led at least one lap, 19th and led most laps), if there is a new winner. If there is a repeat winner (or a new winner and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30) and 2 Points (39th and no laps led, 40th and led at least one lap). If there is a repeat winner and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30, he clinches on points, regardless of finish. With a win, he would clinch a Chase spot on wins.
  • Austin Dillon just needs to keep his consistency going. Dillon 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 winner. If there is a repeat winner (or win by Chase Elliott or a new winner and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30) and Dillon would clinch with 11 Points (30th and no laps led, 31st and led at least one lap, 32nd and led most laps). If there is a repeat winner and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30, he would clinch on points regardless of finish. With a win, they would clinch a Chase spot on wins.
  • Jamie McMurray needs to be smart tonight if he wants to join his teammate in the Chase. McMurray would clinch on points with a repeat winner (or win by Chase Elliott or Austin Dillon or a new winner and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30) and 20 points (21st and no laps led, 22nd and led at least one lap, 23rd and led most laps). If there is a repeat winner and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30, McMurray would clinch on points, regardless of finish. With a win, he would clinch a Chase spot on wins. Could clinch on points with a new winner and help (cannot lose more than six points to Newman as Newman would hold the tie-breaker).
  • Newman has made his situation sketchy with his penalty last weekend. With a win, he would clinch a Chase spot on wins. Could clinch on Points with help (would need to outpoint two of the following if there is a new winner, or one of the following if there is a repeat winner (or win by one of these drivers), McMurray by 22 or more points, Dillon by 32 or more points, Elliott by 40 or more points). If there is a repeat winner (or win by Elliott, Dillon, McMurray) and Chris Buescher falls out of the Top 30, he would need 20 points (21st and no laps led, 22nd and led at least one lap, 23rd and led most laps) to clinch on points.
  • Kasey Kahne could make the chase despite having a dismal season. With a win, Kahne would clinch a Chase spot on wins. Could clinch on points with a repeat winner (or win by Elliott, Dillon or McMurray) and Chris Buescher falling outside of the Top 30 and help (would need to outpoint Newman by 22 or 23 points, depending on tie-breaker).
  • Ryan Blaney, AJ Allmendinger, Trevor Bayne, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Paul Menard, Greg Biffle, Danica Patrick, Aric Almirola, Clint Bowyer, Casey Mears, and Landon Cassill are in a must win situation. These eleven drivers can not make it in on points. 
  • David Ragan and Regan Smith would need to make the Top-30 in points on Top of winning the Federated Auto Parts 400 to make the chase. Currently sit outside Top-30. Ragan and Buescher will be racing for the 30th spot in the Point Standings.

Race Information Sheet

  • This race will be televised on NBCSN. Countdown to Green begins at 7:00 pm/ET. Green Flag estimated at 7:44 pm/ET. 
  • It will be 86 degrees with Partly Cloudy Conditions. 0% Chance of Rain. Humidity will be at 62%. There is a Local Pollen alert so I would recommend grabbing some allergy medicine if you are heading to the track. 
  • The race will also be available over the radio at The Motor Racing Network (MRN) and on SiriusXM Satellite NASCAR Channel 90.

Starting Lineup 

To see Today's starting Lineup please hit this link: Denny Hamlin Gains Pole at Richmond

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