Federated Auto Parts 400

The regular season comes to close and we already know we have 11 drivers locked into The Chase for Sprint Cup Series Championship. This weekend, the battle ends at Richmond, but there is a war within between the six drivers who want that final spot and between the drivers inside the top ten battling it out for a win and more bonus points heading into the first race of The Chase next week. Also, tonight will be a chance for drivers not in the hunt to try some different setups and start gaining momentum heading into The Chase and into next year. It all goes down tonight in the Federated Auto Parts 400.

The Race and The Place: Richmond International Speedway will host their annual Federated Auto Parts 400 in what has become a must see race for NASCAR fans. It's the final race before The Chase for The Sprint Cup that has produced some great moments over the past eight years. Last year, Kevin Harvick won the race that saw Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin, and eventual 2011 champion, Tony Stewart, clinch spots for The Chase.

Drivers I'm Watching
  • Kyle Busch  If The Chase started today, Kyle would be the 12th and final driver to make The Chase but there is still 400 miles to go. Will the pressure be to much for shrub?
  • Jeff Gordon  Four Time is gonna need to drive like he did in his youth if he wants a shot to become Five Time.
  • Marcos Ambrose  The Aussi is just excited that their is a remote chance for him to make the playoffs. He will need to drive the race of his life to get his first oval win.
  • Ryan Newman  Newman finalized his contract for Stewart-Haas next year. He is gonna try to finalized his Chase birth tonight.
  • Joey Lagano  If Joey Lagano won tonight and got into The Chase, do you think Joe Gibbs will feel a little regret?
  • Carl Edwards  Chances of last years championship runner up making The Chase are slim but if he drives like a pissed off teenager, you never know what might happen.
My Pick
  • Jeff Gordon   Jeff Gordon will win this race and make The Chase for The Sprint Cup Series Title.
Why TheNASCARTER Like's RIR
Since NASCAR's Chase era started back in 2004, this race has always produced some great moments that left fans and drivers celebrating and others just shaking their heads in disbelief. And with the tempers we saw at Bristol two weeks ago, it could be time for drivers to cash in on their paybacks. I look forward to watching it all unfold.

Make sure to follow me on twitter and interact during tonights race or though out week. @The_NASCARTER.

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