Just one race remains before the start of the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series playoffs and it’s a track where drivers on the outside of the postseason looking in have had success at in the past.
Richmond, the site of Saturday night’s Federated Auto Parts 400, is 0.25 miles longer than Martinsville, but NASCAR still categorizes it as a short track. It’s actually most similar to New Hampshire and Phoenix’s flat track and it’s no surprise drivers who’ve had success at Phoenix have been contenders at Richmond.
Joey Logano, who won at Richmond earlier this year only to have his win encumbered due to a rear suspension violation, needs another victory to make the playoffs. Clint Bowyer, who has two wins in his career at Richmond is in a similar must-win situation, as is three-time Richmond winner Dale Earnhardt Jr.
One driver who had success at New Hampshire and Phoenix this season is Kyle Busch. He’s led 209 laps between the two races and has a stellar history at Richmond. Busch is a four-time Richmond winner with a series-best 7.33 average finish at the track. He’s our pick to win Saturday night and is listed as a co-favorite with teammate Denny Hamlin, who is fresh off an encumbered win at Darlington.
What are the Las Vegas odds for the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond?
Here are the race odds according to Westgate Sportsbook:
Denny Hamlin 9/2
Kyle Busch 9/2
Martin Truex Jr. 9/2
Kevin Harvick 6/1
Brad Keselowski 8/1
Matt Kenseth 8/1
Kyle Larson 8/1
Chase Elliott 18/1
Erik Jones 18/1
Joey Logano 20/1
Jimmie Johnson 25/1
Clint Bowyer 25/1
Ryan Blaney 35/1
Jamie McMurray 35/1
Kurt Busch 35/1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 100/1
Ryan Newman 100/1
Daniel Suarez 100/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. 100/1
Kasey Kahne 100/1
Austin Dillon 200/1
Trevor Bayne 300/1
Ty Dillon 300/1
Aric Almirola 500/1
Chris Buescher 500/1
Paul Menard 500/1
AJ Allmendinger 1000/1
Michael McDowell 1000/1
Danica Patrick 1000/1
Field (all others) 300/1
Who are the sleepers to win the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. finished fourth at Richmond earlier this season, and was fourth at Phoenix’s similar layout and a solid 14th at New Hampshire. With two wins already this season, he is more inclined to take risks in order to capture a third victory.
Deep sleeper Aric Almirola‘s best average is Richmond. Out of all the tracks in NASCAR, Almirola’s best average finish comes at Richmond. It’s still a mediocre 16.2 but he did finish ninth at Richmond earlier this year and has finished as high as fourth.
Which drivers are best for fantasy NASCAR at Richmond?
Kevin Harvick has been as solid as they come at Richmond. He’s finished in the top five in five of the past six races there and leads all active drivers with 21 top-10 finishes. No wonder, he’s mastered Phoenix’s similar one-mile layout and will look for his fourth Richmond win Saturday.
Jamie McMurray is a solid middle-of-the-pack option. Over five of the past eight Richmond races he’s finished in the top seven, including the race earlier this season (sixth).
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Chase Elliott won stages on the flat tracks of Phoenix and Martinsville. He hasn’t been able to put it all together at Richmond, making him a great option for a tournament flier.
Danica Patrick ($6,700), Chris Buescher ($6,200) and Michael McDowell ($5,900) are drivers who could finish in the mid-teens and provide plenty of salary relief on DraftKings.
