The NASCAR Cup Series returns to the short track circuit this weekend. NASCAR runs through Richmond for a fairly technical short track. William Byron won last week’s race at COTA for his second win of the year. However, the first road course race was missing a lot of excitement. The field was spread out. There weren’t many cautions. Byron won with arguably the fourth-best car. His team helped him maintain track position with great strategy and pit stops. Track position will be huge this week for Richmond. We have a 0.75-mile short track with above-average tire wear. With 400 laps for this race, we’re back to targeting drivers who can run up front and take home the checkered flag. Here is this week’s Toyota Owners 400 preview for Sunday’s action from Richmond Raceway.
Toyota Owners 400 Preview: The Top Plays
Denny Hamlin (#11 Toyota)
He won just a couple of weeks ago on a short track. So why not go back to the well? It’s the Toyota Owners 400 preview, so we have to kick it off with a Toyota. Richmond is one of Hamlin’s best tracks. In his career, Hamlin has four wins at Richmond in addition to three runner-up finishes in his last six races here. In eight races at Richmond, he’s managed to lead over 100 laps. And we know those laps led and track position will be vital this week. I’m not overthinking it. This is a big race every year for Joe Gibbs Racing. Hamlin is originally from Virginia. And Joe Gibbs has deep ties to this part of the country. I expect the 11-car to be competitive Sunday night.
Christopher Bell (#20 Toyota)
We roll right along with another JGR driver in Christopher Bell. I was tempted to go with Martin Truex Jr., but I just feel like Bell is more consistent and has more win equity at this time. In seven career races at Richmond, Bell doesn’t have a win but he’s finished sixth or better in five of them. Moreover, he’s shown the ability to move up on this track. And that isn’t easy. Tire wear comes into play and it isn’t the easiest track to pass at. In fact, the laps tick off quickly. Drivers will get lapped. Bell has started outside the top 20 in three straight Richmond races. He’s gained at least nine spots of position differential in each of those races, including a pair of top-five finishes. That’s wildly impressive but it’s a testament to JGR’s focus for Richmond and his ability as a driver.
Kyle Larson (#5 Chevrolet)
It always feels like a cheat code when Larson appears in the preview article. But it’s a good fit this week for the driver of the 5-car. Has he won here before? Yes, on two occasions actually. Larson can win on any kind of track. In fact, he won this very race a year ago leading 93 laps. The summer race didn’t go as well, but I’m assuming they’ll match the setup from this race last spring. Additionally, we have to be mindful of the tire wear. Richmond does have an older surface. While this is a short track, we do see tire strategy come into play. Larson is one of the best in the field at managing tires. Anytime we get a track that features tire wear, Larson will be in play.
Toyota Owners 400 Preview: Wouldn’t Bet Against Them
Ty Gibbs (#54 Toyota)
The day he logs his first win is the day he can move up to the top plays section. Gibbs continues to flirt with a win. He has three top-five finishes in his last four races coming into Richmond and even in that span where he finished ninth at Bristol, he did lead 137 laps. Gibbs, like Hamlin and Bell, drives for JGR. This organization typically nails the setup for short, flat tracks. Gibbs won here in the Xfinity Series back in 2022 leading 114 laps from the pole. It should come as no surprise the four favorites to win this race on DraftKings Sportsbook are all four JGR drivers. Even Gibbs, who rounds out the group,…
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