In one of Richmond Raceway’s 2024 races, Austin Dillon won on the final lap after spinning leader Joey Logano in turn three and then hitting Denny Hamlin as they exited turn four, putting him into the outside wall.
NASCAR let Dillon keep the victory but didn’t allow the win to qualify him for the playoffs.
This year, with the three-quarter-mile track being one of the last two events in the regular season, the question is will last year’s ruling affect how the winless drivers race this year in the Cook Out 400?
Caron Hocevar doesn’t believe it will because he considers the Dillon incident a “freak deal in terms of circumstances.”
“If you had them rerun the same play, I don’t think he gets both of them,” Hocevar said.
Hocevar could be right, but then it depends on where winless drivers are running on the final lap.
Here's what else we'll be watching at Richmond, in what is the second to last race before the Playoffs:
Watch Out for the Over-30 Crowd
Only one of the last 13 Richmond winners were under age 30. That could bode well for the winless drivers hovering around the playoff cutline. Chris Buescher, who is 34 points above the cutline, is 32 years old. Ryan Preece, who is 34 points below the cutline, is 34 years old.
Non-Playoff Qualifiers with Success at Richmond
Five of the drivers not locked into the playoffs have won at Richmond. Kyle Busch leads them with six victories. Brad Keselowski has two victories. Those possessing one Richmond win each are Austin Dillon, Buescher and Alex Bowman.
Leading the Most Laps Not a Big Deal
A driver needing a victory at Richmond may not want to lead the most laps. The driver who led the most laps has failed to win the last eight Richmond races. Those drivers are Denny Hamlin on three occasions, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, William Byron, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney.
Lucky Numbers 11 and 43
Cars bearing the numbers 43 and 11 have won the most races at Richmond with 13 each. Richard Petty won all 13 races in the No. 43. Drivers who have won at Richmond while driving cars with the No. 11 are Denny Hamlin (5), Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip (3 each) and Bill Elliott and Ned Jarrett (one each). Driving the No. 43 this week is Erik Jones.
Craziest Kyle Busch Stat of All Time
Kyle Busch has completed all but one lap at Richmond in his 38 starts at the track. That means he has completed 14,243 laps of a possible 14,244.
Tough Place to Break Through
Just five drivers have recorded their first career NASCAR Cup victory at Richmond. They are: Kasey Kahne, 2005; Tony Stewart, 1999; Kyle Petty, 1986; Neil Bonnett, 1977; and James Hylton, 1970.
Wild, Wild Wets
The spring 2024 Richmond race was the first time in the Cup Series that wet weather tires were run on an oval.
Finish What You Started
After 24 races, Chase Elliott is the only driver to have completed all but one lap. He is the only driver to have accomplished the feat, and he has done it the last two years.
Major Slump for Kyle Larson
Kyle Larson’s average finish over the last 12 races is 19.25. That is his worst average finish over 12 races since he joined Hendrick Motorsports at the start of 2021.
Ryan Blaney Still Trying to Conquer Richmond
Richmond is the only oval track where Ryan Blaney doesn’t have a top five. He is making his 350th consecutive Cup start at Richmond, the fifth longest active streak.
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