Tire troubles prevented Kyle Busch from completing a hat-trick of wins last week at Bristol. However, Busch has a great chance to bounce back immediately as the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to the Richmond International Speedway – a track he knows very well.
Let’s check out the rest of Busch’s competition, as well as some high-value sleepers and a long shot who could spring a surprise. Meanwhile, check out who some of the top NASCAR experts have picked to win the race here.
The Joe Gibbs Racing team had a torrid time with right-front tire problems last week at Bristol, and it cost Kyle Busch a shot at a third-consecutive win. Nevertheless, the No. 18 will once again be a big favorite in Richmond, a track he knows and loves.
Busch leads all active drivers with four wins at the track, and came just short of adding to that total when he finished second in last season’s Federated Auto Parts 400. Provided his tires don’t give him more problems, Busch will be the driver to beat in Richmond.
Kevin Harvick
It’s been a few races since Kevin Harvick’s been a serious contender – he’s finished 17th, 10th and 7th in his last three races – but he’s still leading the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings. Harvick has enjoyed very good success in Richmond, which could be the race where he finally gets back on track.
Harvick isn’t too far behind Busch with three career wins and 18 top-10 finishes in 30 starts at the track. He was a close second-place finisher behind eventual winner Kurt Busch in last year’s Toyota Owners 400.
Denny Hamlin
After starting the season with a bang by winning the Daytona 500, Denny Hamlin has since put together a pretty underwhelming stretch, especially over his last few races. His average finishing position in his last three races is 24th.
But Hamlin will still be one of the favorites in Richmond due to his stellar performances at the track. Hamlin has two wins with 10 top-10 finishes in 19 career starts. He has also led more laps than any other active driver at Richmond.
Sleepers
Chase Elliott
Don’t sleep on the surprising Chase Elliott, who’s made a lot of noise in his inaugural Sprint Cup campaign. After recording three top-10 finishes in his first five races of the season, he’s now had back-to-back top-5 finishes in his last two. It just feels like a matter of time before he finally breaks through and claims his first career NASCAR Sprint Cup win.
Jamie McMurray
It’s been a fairly unspectacular season thus far for Jamie McMurray. He’s currently 13th in the Sprint Cup standings, but he is the only driver in the top 15 who still hasn’t placed in single-digits in any race. His best finish was 10th in Fontana.
However, he has found a fair bit of success in recent years in Richmond. He’s got three top-four finishes in his last five starts at the track dating back to 2013. With a couple of breaks – perhaps another Kyle Busch tire malfunction – McMurray may finally be able to turn those constant top-5 finishes into an actual win.
Long Shot
Ryan Newman
A one-time winner of this race (which came all the way back in 2003), Ryan Newman is a long shot to add to his tally this weekend. But stranger things have happened, and Newman is seemingly always right there in the mix in Richmond. In his last nine starts at the track, he’s finished inside the top 10 five times, including a third-place finish at the Federated Auto Parts 400 in 2013.
Writer’s Prediction
Harvick outduels Busch to win the Toyota Owners 400.
