Bluegrass Sports Nation

Brad Keselowski Wins with Authority at Richmond

Anthony Holbrook

Brad Keselowski - Richmond 9-12-20

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

  1. Denny Hamlin
  2. Austin Dillon
  3. Joey Logano
  4. Brad Keselowski
  5. Kevin Harvick
  6. Alex Bowman
  7. Martin Truex Jr.
  8. Chase Elliott
  9. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
  10. 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

  1. Brad Keselowski
  2. Austin Dillon
  3. Martin Truex Jr.
  4. Joey Logano
  5. Chase Elliott
  6. Kyle Bush
  7. Kurt Bush
  8. Aric Almirola
  9. Matt Kenseth
  10. 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).

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