After thinking big, racing on NASCAR’s longest track, the Sprint Cup tour goes small this weekend as it races on the ¾ mile short track in Richmond, Virginia. The flag drops for the season’s tenth race, the short track event with the long name, The Crown Royal presents the Heath Calhoun 400, Saturday night. It’s the only ¾ mile track on the circuit making the Richmond races two of the most unique on the whole circuit. While it has the bump and grind of short track racing, the extra quarter mile facilitates a long back stretch where the cars get flying as they would on intermediate tracks. The result is some of the most fun and competitive racing on the calendar. While the September race is one of the most significant races, the one after which the Chase field is set, moving the early race from the series third race in late February or early March to around Kentucky Derby Day makes this a most fan friendly enjoyable race as the key rivalries for the year start to take shape.
For those looking at who the recent winners at Richmond are, local fellow, Denny Hamlin won last fall’s race, but Jimmie Johnson won three out of the last six races going back to spring 2007. Tony Stewart is a three time winner at the track, but his last victory was spring, 2002. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also a three time winner with his last triumph, spring 2006. Other recent winners include Kasey Kahne – spring, 2005, Kurt Busch – fall 2005, Kevin Harvick – fall 2006, Clint Bowyer – spring 2008, and Kyle Busch – 2009. The old Richmond track served three generations of Petty’s with Lee Petty achieving two victories and Kyle Petty winning in 1986. Since being enlarged for fall of 1988, Rusty Wallace is the big winner with six trophies.
Interesting historical note, prior to its being rebuilt to its ¾ length during the 1988 season, Richard Petty “owned” Richmond from 1967 to the first race of 1975 his last victory at the track. The “King” won 12 out of 17 races during that stretch including seven consecutive races from fall 1970 to fall 1973.
Perhaps foreshadowed by other bigger tracks, the unique giant of the little ones deserves its recognition for its significant historical role in Sprint Cup racing. Located a leisurely Sunday morning drive from the Nation’s Capitol and Crab City, the stands will be packed with fans ready for prime time racing. On the heels of perhaps the hottest Talladega race ever, teams are getting anxious to move with in striking distance of the top 12 so that when they return to historic Virginia in September, they can go home as competitors in the Chase for the series last ten races.
For those looking at who the recent winners at Richmond are, local fellow, Denny Hamlin won last fall’s race, but Jimmie Johnson won three out of the last six races going back to spring 2007. Tony Stewart is a three time winner at the track, but his last victory was spring, 2002. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also a three time winner with his last triumph, spring 2006. Other recent winners include Kasey Kahne – spring, 2005, Kurt Busch – fall 2005, Kevin Harvick – fall 2006, Clint Bowyer – spring 2008, and Kyle Busch – 2009. The old Richmond track served three generations of Petty’s with Lee Petty achieving two victories and Kyle Petty winning in 1986. Since being enlarged for fall of 1988, Rusty Wallace is the big winner with six trophies.
Interesting historical note, prior to its being rebuilt to its ¾ length during the 1988 season, Richard Petty “owned” Richmond from 1967 to the first race of 1975 his last victory at the track. The “King” won 12 out of 17 races during that stretch including seven consecutive races from fall 1970 to fall 1973.
Perhaps foreshadowed by other bigger tracks, the unique giant of the little ones deserves its recognition for its significant historical role in Sprint Cup racing. Located a leisurely Sunday morning drive from the Nation’s Capitol and Crab City, the stands will be packed with fans ready for prime time racing. On the heels of perhaps the hottest Talladega race ever, teams are getting anxious to move with in striking distance of the top 12 so that when they return to historic Virginia in September, they can go home as competitors in the Chase for the series last ten races.
No comments:
Post a Comment