Brad Keselowski leads the final 48 circuits conveniently collecting his 4th win of the 2020 Season at Richmond.
RICHMOND – September 12, 2020 – ANTHONY HOLBROOK
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs 2nd race traveled to Richmond Raceway for a little short track hospitality Saturday night at Richmond. Known as “America’s premier short track” is 0.75 miles D-shape multiple groove asphalt race track allows drivers to reach high speed. A short track that races like a superspeedway. Point’s leader Kevin Harvick will bring the field to green.
Federated Auto Parts 400 – Stage 1 recap:
Kyle Busch along with Christopher Bell started the race from the rear of the field after the No. 18 JGR Toyota failed pre-race inspection twice and an unapproved adjustment for the Rookie’s No. 95 Toyota.
Kevin Harvick took command early in race building a 1.2 second lead over Joey Logano after 10 laps.
NASCAR displayed a competition caution on Lap 31 allowing teams to measure tire wear. Every lead-lap cars would pit as Austin Dillion is off pit role first for the lead after service.
Austin Dillion would forfeit the lead to Deny Hamlin as he powers pass the Childres Chevy on lap 40.
Hamlin held off a late challenge from Dillion to secure his eight Stage victory of the season and valuable playoff points.
Federated Auto Parts 400 – Stage 1 Results
- Denny Hamlin
- Austin Dillon
- Joey Logano
- Brad Keselowski
- Kevin Harvick
- Alex Bowman
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Chase Elliott
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
- Clint Bowyer
Federated Auto Parts 400 – Stage 2 recap:
After Stage 1 completion, lead lap cars pit for service, Hamlin’s precise pits service award his JGR Toyota first off pit lane. Unfortune for Denny Hamlin and Austin Dillon as both were caught speeding on pit road and penalized to the rear of field.
With 130 laps remaining in Stage 2 race leaders Dillon and Keselowski remain back in the pack 20th and 24th respectfully.
On Lap 182, Austin Dillon drives past Kevin Harvick to reclaim the lead as Brad Keselowski makes his showing at third.
Brad Keselowski pilots his Penske Ford around Austin Dillion to reclaim the point utilizing lap traffic on Lap 218.
Brad Keselowski wins Stage 2 honors as Dillion ran out of real-estate.
Federated Auto Parts 400 – Stage 2 Results
- Brad Keselowski
- Austin Dillon
- Martin Truex Jr.
- Joey Logano
- Chase Elliott
- Kyle Bush
- Kurt Bush
- Aric Almirola
- Matt Kenseth
- Kevin Harvick
Federated Auto Parts 400 – Race recap:
Taking no chances, lead-lap cars pit for service after Stage 2 completion. Brad Keselowski checked out first from pit road.
Mid-point of the final Stage, Joey Logano pits early on a green-flag pit stop and circulated to the lead on lap 308.
Only 50 Laps remaining Kurt Busch gambles with a one-stop strategy for track position.
Fresh tires prevail as Brad Keselowski and Austin Dillon drive past a fading Kurt Busch.
Brad Keselowski convincingly controls the final 48 Laps punching his ticket to the 2nd Round NASCAR Championship Playoff.
Federated Auto Parts 400 –Finishing Order
1. Brad Keselowski
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Joey Logano
4. Austin Dillon
5. Chase Elliott
6. Kyle Busch
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Aric Almirola
9. Alex Bowman
10. Clint Bowyer
11. Tyler Reddick
12. Denny Hamlin
13. Kurt Busch
14. Cole Custer
15. Christopher Bell
16. Matt Kenseth
17. Matt DiBenedetto
18. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
19. Ryan Blaney
20. Ryan Preece
21. William Byron
22. Erik Jones
23. Ryan Newman
24. Chris Buescher
25. Michael McDowell
26. Bubba Wallace
27. Corey LaJoie
28. Ty Dillon
29. Daniel Suarez
30. John Hunter Nemechek
31. Jimmie Johnson
32. Quin Houff
33. Brennan Poole
34. JJ Yeley
35. Joey Gase
36. Reed Sorenson
37. James Davison
38. Timmy Hill
Brad Keselowski clinched a bid to the Championship Round of 12, joining Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin as drivers who have secured a bid before the final race of the Round of 16. The final cut for the Round 1 playoff contenders will be determined next weekend at Bristol.
NASCAR Cup Playoff Drivers Points Standing (After Richmond)
1. Kevin Harvick, 2,143 points (win at Darlington)
2. Brad Keselowski, 2,112 (win at Richmond)
3. Denny Hamlin, 2,122
4. Joey Logano, 2,109
5. Martin Truex Jr., 2,096
6. Austin Dillon, 2,094
7. Chase Elliott, 2,086
8. Alex Bowman, 2,085
9. Kyle Busch, 2,076
10. Kurt Busch, 2,065
11. Aric Almirola, 2,065
12. Clint Bowyer, 2,061
13. William Byron, 2,058
14. Cole Custer, 2,053
15. Matt DiBenedetto, 2,036
16. Ryan Blaney, 2,034
The NASCAR Cup Series Championship Playoff Race #3 invades Thunder Valley – Saturday, September 19th for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race hosted by Bristol Motor Speedway- 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM 90 NASCAR Radio).
