The Place: Richmond Raceway

Track Length: 0.75 Mile Asphalt Oval

The Date: Friday, August 15

The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

The Purse: $782,900

TV: FS1, 7:30 p.m. ET

Radio: NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)

Distance: 187.5 miles (250 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 70),

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 140), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 250)

Where To Watch NASCAR This Weekend:

Friday, August 15

NCTS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (FS2 at 2 p.m. ET)

NCS Practice & Busch Light Pole Qualifying (truTV, MRN, SiriusXM at 4:30 p.m. ET)

NCTS Race: eero 250(FS1, MRN, SiriusXM at 7:30 p.m. ET)

Saturday, August 16

NCS Race: Cook Out 400(USA Network, MRN, SiriusXM at 7:30 p.m. ET)

NASCAR Cup Series

Richmond Raceway Storylines and Insights:

·       This weekend marks the 137th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.

·       Richmond first held a Cup race in 1953 and has held a Cup race every year since 1955.

·       This is only the second year since 1959 that Richmond has hosted only one race, 2020 pandemic season was the other.

·       Richmond is the fourth of six short track races in 2025.

·       Only one of the last 13 Richmond winners was under the age of 30.

·       The Richmond race last August had three cautions, tied for the fewest on a short track in the Next Gen era (2022-2025).

·       The last three Richmond races had a caution in the final 10 laps.

·       A stage winner has not won in the last eight Richmond races.

·       Five of the drivers not locked into the Playoffs have won at Richmond – Kyle Busch (6 wins), Brad Keselowski (2), Austin Dillon (1), Chris Buescher (1) and Alex Bowman (1).

·       The driver who led the most laps failed to win the last eight Richmond races.

·       The driver who led the most laps won all three short track races in 2025.

·       The last two races did not have a DNF, the first time in Cup Series history consecutive races had no DNFs.

·       #43 and #11 cars are tied with 13 Richmond wins each, Richard Petty won all 13 for #43 while five different drivers won at Richmond in #11 (Denny Hamlin-5, Cale Yarborough-3, Darrell Waltrip-3, Bill Elliott-1, Ned Jarrett-1).

·       The last five short track races ended with a green flag run longer than 60 laps, the longest streak since 1988.

·       Chase Briscoe is the only driver to finish inside the top-10 in all three short track races this season.

·       Kyle Busch leads all active drivers with 16 short-track wins, but ranks 17th in points earned on short-tracks in the Next Gen car.

·       Kyle Busch completed all but one lap at Richmond in his 38 starts there (completed 14,243 of 14,244 possible laps).

·       19% of Denny Hamlin’s Cup wins came in his home state of VA (11 of 58).

·       The last three Richmond races were won by three different manufacturers.

·       Five drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Richmond Raceway – Kasey Kahne (2005), Tony Stewart (1999), Kyle Petty (1986), Neil Bonnett (1977) and James Hylton (1970).

·       The race winner didn’t lead until after Lap 300 in five of the last six Richmond races, including the last three.

·       The deepest in the field that a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Richmond Raceway is 32nd, by Kyle Busch in the spring race of 2018.

·       Every car was running at the finish in two of the last three Richmond races.

·       The Spring 2024 Richmond race was the first time the Cup Series ran wet weather tires on an oval.

·       There were at least three green flag pit stops a race in the last eight races at Richmond.

·       Five of the last eight races at Richmond ended with a pass for the win in the final 10 laps including each of the last three.

·       At Watkins Glen, Trackhouse Racing placed three cars in the top-10 for the first time in their history.

·       Chase Elliott has still completed all but 1 lap, Only driver to do it through 24 races and he did it the last two years.

·       AJ Allmendinger will make his 100th Cup start with Kaulig Racing this weekend, more than any other driver in team history.

·       A total of 52 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their series debut at Richmond Raceway; the most recent was Parker Retzlaff (Aug. 11, 2024).

·       Kyle Larson’s average finish over the last 12 races (19.25) is the worst over 12 races since joining Hendrick in the start of 2021.

·       Alex Bowman is making his 350th career Cup start this weekend; three drivers have won in the Cup Series on their 350th start – Lee Petty (Martinsville, 1959), Bill Elliott (Rockingham, 1992), Tony Stewart (Talladega, 2008).

·       Ryan Blaney will make his 350th consecutive Cup start this weekend, the fifth longest active streak.

·       Richmond is the only oval Ryan Blaney doesn’t have a top-five finish.

·       Christopher Bell had a speeding penalty in each of the last three races at Richmond.

·       Toyota is two wins away from reaching 200 victories since joining the NASCAR Cup Series in 2007.

NCS Clinch Scenarios Following Watkins Glen International:

Already Clinched

·       The following 13 drivers have clinched a spot in the 16-driver postseason field: William Byron, Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Josh Berry, Shane van Gisbergen.

Can Clinch Via Points

·       If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 62 points above the 3rd winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Tyler Reddick or Alex Bowman.

•        Tyler Reddick: Would clinch with 30 points

•        Alex Bowman: Could only clinch with help

·       If there is a new winner from Chris Buescher or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being 61 points above the 2nd winless driver in the standings.

•        Tyler Reddick: Would clinch with 54 points

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece, Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, AJ Allmendinger, Brad Keselowski, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, Michael McDowell, John Hunter Nemechek, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Zane Smith, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Justin Haley, Todd Gilliland, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Cole Custer, Riley Herbst, Cody Ware

Can Clinch Regular Season Championship

·       Additionally, the Regular Season Championship could be clinched by the following drivers:

•        William Byron: Could only clinch with help.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

Looking Ahead – Daytona International Speedway Storylines and Insights:

·       Next weekend marks the 68th running of a NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

·       Three races are left in the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2025 regular season – Daytona, Portland and St. Louis (Gateway), and four Playoff spots remain open.

·       Connor Zilisch leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series driver point standings by seven points over his JR Motorsport’s teammate Justin Allgaier in second following Watkins Glen.

·       Connor Zilisch underwent collarbone surgery Tuesday (Aug. 12) morning, the No. 88 JR Motorsports driver announced on social media. JR Motorsports has not announced if Zilisch will miss time as a result of the operation.

·       Prior to Connor Zilisch taking the points lead following Iowa (two races ago), Justin Allgaier held the points lead for 17 consecutive races dating back to Las Vegas.

·       Jesse Love is the most recent Xfinity Series winner at Daytona International Speedway (Feb.), Love’s two career Xfinity wins have come at Drafting Tracks (Talladega 2024, Daytona 2025).

·       Austin Hill leads all active drivers in Xfinity Series wins at Daytona International Speedway with three; NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. holds the series record for the most wins at Daytona with six.

·       Richard Childress Racing has won three of the four Drafting Track (Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta) races this season; and nine of the last 15 Drafting Track Xfinity Series races since the start of 2023 (60%).

·       Harrison Burton (12^th) gained 13 points to the Playoff cut line with a 10th-place finish at Watkins Glen and now sits +30.

·       Jeb Burton (13^th) lost 11 points to the Playoff cut line with a 16th-place finish at Watkins Glen and now sits -30.

NXS Clinch Scenarios Following Watkins Glen International:

Already Clinched

·       The following eight drivers have clinched a spot in the 12-driver postseason field: Connor Zilisch, Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Jesse Love, Austin Hill, Brandon Jones, Sammy Smith, Nicholas Sanchez.

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Carson Kvapil, Sheldon Creed, Taylor Gray, Harrison Burton, Jeb Burton, Ryan Sieg, Christian Eckes, Dean Thompson, Daniel Dye, Brennan Poole, Jeremy Clements, William Sawalich, Anthony Alfredo, Matt DiBenedetto, Parker Retzlaff, Kyle Sieg, Blaine Perkins, Ryan Ellis.

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

Richmond Raceway Storylines and Insights:

·       This weekend marks the 17th running of a NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway, fourth most among all short tracks in series history.

·       Richmond hosted a race annually since 2020 after previously hosting one race a year from 1995-2005.

·       Richmond is the fifth of seven short track races in 2025.

·       NCTS Stages at Richmond: 70 laps, 70 laps, 110 laps.

·       Corey Heim clinched the 2025 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Championship following Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.

·       With his win at Watkins Glen last weekend, Corey Heim became the first driver since William Byron in 2016 to win six of a season’s first 17 races.

·       The Truck Series Playoff bubble went from 61 points to 16 points after Stewart Friesen missed Watkins Glen.

·       All drivers more than 57 points below 10th are in a must win situation.

·       Last year’s Richmond race had 12 lead changes, the second most in a Richmond race behind 17 in 1999.

·       Only two stage winners have gone on to win at Richmond, both from winning Stage 2: John Hunter Nemechek (2021) and Chandler Smith (2022).

·       Three drivers have earned their first CRAFTSMAN Truck Series win at Richmond: Terry Labonte (1995), Bob Keselowski (1997) and Tony Stewart (2002).

·       None of the five races since the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series returned to Richmond in 2020 ended in overtime.

·       Three of the last five races at Richmond had a final lead change in the final eight laps of the race.

·       The driver who led the most laps failed to win the last two Richmond races.

·       Qualifying was rained out/cancelled for each of the last three CRAFTSMAN Truck Series short track races.

·       Front Row Motorsports won four of the last six short track races, including each of the last three.

·       Chandler Smith has one Truck Series, and two Xfinity Series wins at Richmond.

·       Corey Heim led 347 of 905 laps on short tracks this season (38.3%) yet hasn’t won.

·       Tyler Ankrum finished in the top-10 in the last 11 races on short-tracks, the longest active streak.

·       Daniel Dye raced his way into the Playoffs from five points below the cut line entering Richmond in 2024, the only driver to get in from below the cut line on points in the last race of the regular season.

·       The all-time record for wins in a season is nine by Greg Biffle in 1999, Corey Heim currently has six wins with eight races remaining in the season.

NCTS Clinch Scenarios Following Watkins Glen International:

Already Clinched

·       The following eight drivers have clinched a spot in the 10-driver postseason field: Corey Heim, Layne Riggs, Chandler Smith, Daniel Hemric, Grant Enfinger, Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, Rajah Caruth.

Can Clinch Via Points

·       If there is a repeat winner or a win by a driver who cannot advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 5th winless driver in the standings.  The same point requirements listed below would hold true if a new win comes from among Grant Enfinger, Ty Majeski or Kaden Honeycutt.

•        Kaden Honeycutt: Would clinch regardless of finish

•        Jake Garcia: Would clinch with 45 points

•        Ben Rhodes: Could only clinch with help

•        Giovanni Ruggiero: Could only clinch with help

·       The following drivers could clinch on points with a win by Jake Garcia:

•         Kaden Honeycutt: Would clinch regardless of finish

·       If there is a new winner from Ben Rhodes or another winless driver lower in the standings but still eligible to advance to the playoffs, the following drivers could clinch by being ahead of the 4th winless driver in the standings.

•        Kaden Honeycutt: Would clinch with 3 points

•        Jake Garcia: Could only clinch with help

Can Clinch Via Win

·       The following drivers would clinch on their win alone: Kaden Honeycutt, Jake Garcia, Ben Rhodes, Giovanni Ruggiero, Tanner Gray, Connor Mosack, Matt Crafton, Andres Perez De Lara, Matt Mills, Jack Wood, Dawson Sutton, Spencer Boyd, Toni Breidinger, Frankie Muniz

NASCAR & Richmond, Etc.

Historical and Significant Events at Richmond Raceway:

• NASCAR Cup (Grand National) Series racing at Richmond Raceway began on April 19th, 1953 – won by Lee Petty at what was then the ‘Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds’.
• The track was a ½ mile dirt track thru the first race of the 1968 season, 24 races.
• For the fall 1988 race the ½ mile oval track was reconfigured to its current shape and geometry. 
• The first race ever held at Richmond was during the 1946 Exposition on October 12th for open wheel cars (pre-NASCAR), won by the legendary Ted Horn.
• In 1955 Paul Sawyer, operator of several racetracks and Virginia native Joe Weatherly, leased the Fairgrounds Raceway.  The Sawyer family operated the track under a lease from the Atlantic Rural Exposition Inc. 1955-1998.  Grandstand capacity in 1955 was 2,500. In 1998, the family acquired the property for $47 million. 
• In 1999, International Speedway Corporation (now NASCAR) bought the Raceway.
• Races have been at the 200, 250, 300 400 and 500 lap distance. The 400-lap distance has been in effect since 1976, on the ½ mile track from 1976 to spring 1988 and on the ¾ mile since September 1988.
• From 1970 to 1997 the ‘spring’ race was held in February or March. Richmond was the next race after the Daytona 500 for 18 of the 22 seasons from 1970-1991.
• The Richmond Raceway is located in Henrico County at the “Richmond Raceway Complex “. The 900-acre complex has six permanent buildings including the 60,000 square foot Exhibition Hall and the 8,000 seat Classic Amphitheater.
• In addition to racing the complex hosts trade shows, concerts, corporate meetings and festivals. Richmond Gun Show, Ladybug Fund Wine Tasting, The Bizarre Bazaar’s ® Spring Market, Virginia Assoc of Meeting Professionals International, Richmond Antique Extravaganza, Chilli Cookoff 2014, Glow Run 5k, Rev3 Rush Triathlon, Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Festival, Blue Crab Cluster Dog Show, Brantley Gilbert Tour, National Civil War & Antique Arms Show, Richmond Reptile Expo, are just a few of the 120+ events held at the complex each year.
• The first scheduled night race on the ¾ mile was September 1991, won by Harry Gant the second win in his streak of four straight wins that month.  March 10, 1964 is the actual date of the first ‘night race’ at Richmond when the final 100 laps were completed on Tuesday night after rain halted the race on Sunday.
• Between races in 2003 SAFER barriers were installed, a new infield care center was built, and the pit stalls were changed to concrete.
• The entire backstretch grandstands were removed following the 2015 season this followed the removal of the turn three grandstands in 2014.  The removal of the backstretch grandstands reduced seating capacity by 9,000 seats.
• In July of 2017, the details of the $30 million infield redevelopment project were revealed.  The new attractions launched during NASCAR’s Playoff weekend in September 2018.

• A redesigned infield that will bring fans closer to teams and the inspection process
• Expansive Richmond infield social and engagement areas with concessions
• Victory lane will be moved closer to the grand stands in turn 1
• 80-person club with roof access overlooking victory lane
• New media center
• New backstretch crossover gate and a new pedestrian tunnel
• 80 new consumer RV spaces
• Party Deck in turn 4

Latest Track News at Richmond Raceway:

NASCAR Youth Series to compete at Richmond Raceway

• Richmond Raceway has announced that the NASCAR Youth Series presented by Cook Out will showcase the sport’s stars of tomorrow August 14-16. Drivers ages 5-16 will race in the drift and bus parking lots near Laburnum Lot C, providing fans with even more action leading up to the Cook Out 400 NASCAR Cup Series Race on Saturday. This event is FREE for spectators.
• The NASCAR Youth Series presented by Cook Out is the sanctioning body for the quarter-midget racing division of the United States Auto Club (USAC). It is a family-oriented motorsport that involves children ages 5-16 racing in specially prepared cars. The cars, rules and safety procedures are designed specifically for kids.
• Quarter-midget racing is divided into 15 classes/divisions. Kids typically race on oval dirt, concrete or asphalt tracks approximately 1/20th of a mile long. With almost 60 NASCAR Youth Series-sanctioned clubs located all across the country, thousands of kids ages five and up, along with their families, participate in quarter-midget racing.
• A quarter-midget car is a scaled down version of an actual midget racer. The cars are built around a tubular frame and are fully suspended with springs or torsion bars and shocks. The bodies are fiberglass. The engines are single cylinder and are manufactured by Honda and Briggs & Stratton.

Richmond Raceway, NASCAR to host several community events

• As NASCAR returns to Richmond Raceway Aug. 14-16, the track and the sport will band together to make a difference within the community. Race week events include:

• Tuesday, August 12 – Track Laps for Charity featuring Chase Briscoe: From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., motorists can drive their personal vehicles five laps around the ¾-mile D-shaped oval for just a $20 donation. The event will feature an appearance from Chase Briscoe, driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Camry XSE. All proceeds will benefit Victory Junction Camp and Richmond Raceway Cares. To register, visit https://www.richmondraceway.com/tracklaps/.
• Wednesday, August 13 – Finish Line Party at Q-Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel: Kick off NASCAR Weekend in Richmond at Q-Rooftop Bar at Quirk Hotel (201 W Broad Street, Richmond VA 23220) with themed cocktails and rooftop vibes. Join us for all the fun as we get revved up to race. This event is FREE to attend, with drinks and food for purchase. Street parking is limited. Paid surface lot and valet parking are available.  Rideshare is encouraged.
• Friday, August 15 – The NASCAR Foundation Speediatrics Fun Day Festival: On Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, The NASCAR Foundation will host kids from the Peter Paul Development Center at the Richmond Raceway Fan Zone for the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival. The NASCAR-themed field day inside the NASCAR Experience display promotes healthy lifestyle habits for children in local racing communities through racing-themed lifestyle programming.
• Friday, August 15 – Who’s Your Driver? Tailgate w/ Ross Chastain: On Friday at 2 p.m.,meet Ross Chastain, driver of the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, for a fun filled tailgate in Lot D parking area, just outside the Fan Zone entrance and sign up to make your safe driving pledge. Who’s Your Driver? is a sober and safe driving initiative from DRIVE SMART Virginia, a non-profit organization with a mission to eliminate alcohol-related crashes and to educate citizens on safe driving practices.
• Friday & Saturday, August 15 & 16 – NASC’Art & Car Show: New this year as part of the free race weekend Fan Zone, Richmond Raceway has partnered with Crossroads Gallery for a juror art show themed around speed and racing.  Come see one-of-a-kind works from 34 nationally selected artists on exhibit alongside classic, vintage and other racing automobiles. The show can also be viewed online HERE.
• Saturday, August 16 – Brittany Anderson Celebrity Guest Chef Appearance in Torque Club: Brittanny Anderson, Food Network’s Triple Threat winner who defeated Bobby Flay’s Titans, will be cooking up some small bites to share along with some of her culinary wisdom with Torque Club guests from 3– 6p.m., prior to the green flag dropping for the Cook Out 400. You may also remember Brittanny from other Food Network competitions, Tournament of Champions, Iron Chef America, Last Bite Hotel, 24 in 24; as well as Bravo TV’s Top Chef Season 18. She is the Chef and Owner of several renowned local restaurants including Metzger Bar and Butchery, Brenner Pass, Black Lodge and The Pink Room.

eero becomes entitlement partner for NCTS Regular Season Finale

• Richmond Raceway has announced that eero, an Amazon company and pioneer in whole-home mesh Wi-Fi systems, will become the entitlement partner for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Regular Season Finale on Friday, Aug. 15. The official name of the race will be the eero 250.
• eero is famed for revolutionizing home Wi-Fi with the introduction of the first mesh system in 2016, making connectivity faster, more dependable, and easier to manage. As a brand committed to seamless internet coverage, eero’s partnership with Richmond Raceway underscores the company’s continued investment in innovation and community engagement in high-energy, tech-forward environments like NASCAR.

Who’s Your Driver returns as presenting partner

• Richmond Raceway has announced that Who’s Your Driver, the sober and safe driving initiative created by DRIVE SMART Virgina, will return as the presenting partner for this summer’s NASCAR race weekend at Richmond Raceway, Aug. 14-16. It will once again be deemed the NASCAR Weekend at Richmond Raceway presented by Who’s Your Driver.

NASCAR PR