Fantasy Auto Racing: Federated Auto Parts 400

What: Federated Auto Parts 400

When: September 10^th

Where: Richmond Raceway

2016 Winner: Denny Hamlin

Note: With 10 playoff starts ahead it’s been a tactful last few starts while I work to preserve starts from players who I think will come in strong for the playoffs including:

A Drivers:Brad Keslowski, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick (Personally I have a combined 13 starts available)

B: Chase Elliott & Kyle Larson (Personally I have a 4 starts each so I’ll have to utilize Ricky Steinhouse, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman and Clint Bowyer a bit)

C: Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones and Ty Dillon (Personally I have a combined 8 starts left total across these three)

Track: Richmond Raceway. At 0.75 miles this asphalt track is among the older on the circuit (1946). It runs on the shorter side (much like Bristol) meaning there will be trading paint and anyone can emerge. It is interesting amongst the many oval shaped courses as this one is more of a "D". It's banks run 14 degrees at the highest with an 8 degree tilt on the front and 2 degrees on the back.

A Driver.

Joey Logano. Over his last 3 times at Richmond Raceway he’s finished: 1^st, 8^th and 10^th. He appears to be unafraid of forcing his way through this season and has ruffled more than a few feathers. At a track this short where you guys like Kyle Busch have success, I think Logano could be in for a top 5 finish particularly as someone sitting in 15^th place in the Monster Cup Energy Series. After this race the top 16 qualify for the playoffs.

B Drivers.

Kasey Kahne. Last year here he finished 4^th and 6^th, he struggled a bit with a 22^nd place finish earlier this year but I think he could bounce back for a top 10 finish. Some of his recent races like Pocono which can require some quick brake and hitting the gas he finished 11^th.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Bristol and Richmond yielded a 9^thand 4^th place finish earlier this year. He struggled at Darlington but he’s on the playoff bubble (18^th) and will suredly need a top 5 finish to make it into the playoffs.

C Driver.

David Ragan. 23^rd and 19^th earlier this year at short tracks of Bristol and Richmond, he finished 17^th and 25^th over the last two races, if you aren’t using Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones or Ty Dillon (due to shortage of available starts) then I would defer to David Ragan.

Dark Horse.

Daniel Suarez. Now that Erik Jones is safer at 14 Daniel has to fight for the top 16 spot as he currently sits at 17. Look for him to be fighting every lap at Richmond.

Year to date stats:

A Drivers: Avg Finish 13th (37th percentile)

B Drivers: Avg Finish 15th (41st percentile)

C Drivers: Avg Finish 17th (47th percentile)

Dark Horse Drivers: Avg Finish 20th (55th percentile)