Over the past decade, Richmond Raceway has been tabbed as a lackluster track. The circuit is often been cited as a venue for subpar contests, a lack of excitement leading up to the races from fans and competitors alike, and a dwindling importance on the NASCAR calendar.
But the how question is HOW?
As NASCAR heads to Richmond this weekend, it’s almost an unfair categorization to suggest the racing at this 0.75-mile short track deep in the heart of the racing-rich south is lackluster.
Just look at its history. For years, Richmond played host to the cutoff race before the start of the playoffs. Combined with a robust track record of nail-biting finishes, intense fights and some downright wacky events, there has been plenty of action in the 77-year history of the track
Think about arguably the greatest moment in Richmond’s history: the 1986 Miller High Life 400, when the top four drivers all crashed on the final lap, allowing a young Kyle Petty to score his first career win, charging from fifth on the final lap.
Or more recently, who can forget when Carl Edwards bumped his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Kyle Busch from the lead on the final lap in 2016?
There is also Tony Stewart‘s first career victory in 1999, Jeremy Mayfield‘s walk-off win in 2004 and Kyle Busch wrecking Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2008 only to have the favor returned at the track later that year.
Drivers not in contention for a win are also prone to putting on a show, like when Greg Biffle hopped out of his wrecked NASCAR Xfinity Series car and ran over to punch a still-strapped-in Jay Sauter right in front of the cheering crowd. Or how about Marcos Ambrose clocking Casey Mears after both finished outside the top 15 in a 2014 Cup race? And of course we can’t forget about Ricky Rudd and Kevin Havick‘s epic pit road brawl in 2003.
Even events that have had a lackluster feel have produced some compelling storylines. Take for example my first NASCAR race weekend in more than eight years.
After witnessing a massive pit road fire in the Xfinity race a few days before, I was greeted with an exceptional strategy battle in the Cup race. Underdog Justin Allgaier and his little HScott Motorsports team tried using a wild pit strategy that put him out in front for dozens of laps. Although the strategy ultimately failed as Kurt Busch came out the victor, it was nonetheless compelling watching a…
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