Federated Auto Parts 400: Power Rankings

Race Information

Race: Federated Auto Parts 400
Laps: 400
Date: September 13th
Venue: Richmond Raceway
2019 Winner: Martin Truex Jr (2:57:27)
Network: NBCSN

Track

Richmond International 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 and Martinsville) 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.

Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Favorites

Kyle Busch (9th selection this year) — Busch has top two finishes in three of the last four years at Richmond. He is your lock even in spite of some ugly outcomes over his last handful of races.

Joey Logano (6th selection this year) — Nothing but top 10s across the last six years at Richmond for Logano. After his third place finish last week, he now has top ten finishes in six of his last seven races.

High Risk/High Reward

Denny Hamlin (7th selection this year) — Hamlin has finished in the top 10 each of the last four years at Richmond. As he approaches the early stage of the playoffs, he has hit a rough patch with two of his last three races landing outside the top 10. It’s nothing serious – he should rebound here.

William Byron (8th selection this year) — Richmond is a small tight track similar to Bristol, Martinsville and Dover. Byron this season at those tracks: eighth, eighth, 28th and fourth. He finished 20th here last year and 16th as a Rookie which isn’t ideal, we will see if his racing this season has prepared him better for this track.

The Dark Horse

Jimmie Johnson (3rd selection this year) — It’s a shame he missed the playoffs on his last season but Johnson has all the right things going for him here two races into the playoffs. The four aforementioned races from Byron have also been strong for Johnson who finished third, 10th, seventh and third. Furthermore he has finished in the top 12 each of the last four years at Richmond.

Fun Fact: Back in 1991, this became the second race to occur during the night (Bristol was 1^st).

2020 Results

Favorite: Avg Finish 11th (28th Percent)
High Risk/High Reward: Avg Finish 16th (41^st Percent)
Dark Horse: Avg Finish 18th (46^th Percent)