- As the race title attests, the fans and drivers are in for a rockin' great time. The atmosphere is that of a gigantic party.
- Since 2003, the race has been known as the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. In 2006, Kevin Harvick became the first Chevrolet driver to take the checkered flag since the race was renamed in 2003. (He carried the Barenaked Ladies on his hood to Victory Lane that year.)
- Jeremy Mayfield won this race in 2004 to make the Chase after starting the race in 12th place in the points. (At the time, only the top 10 in points made the Chase.) Now a driver that races his way into the Chase after starting outside the Chase zone is known as "pulling a Mayfield."
- Richmond is a 0.75 mile short track that is frequently referred to as "Bristol on steroids." In one phrase: Expect the Unexpected.
- Jimmie Johnson has won the last two summer races and three of the last four RIR races. Johnson and Tony Stewart both lead all active drivers with three Richmond wins.
- Thinking of you: Ricky Rudd (Summer 2001 race winner).
- Look for the usual suspects to run well: Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kurt Busch. Darkhorses include Sam Hornish Jr. and Marcos Ambrose.
- RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!
Predicted Race Winner: Kevin Harvick. He's still smarting from coming so close, yet so far to that first win in nearly three years. You can bet he'll have his head on a swivel looking for Clint Bowyer and making sure he's FAR away from him. The #29 crew may well have hit on something at Atlanta and that momentum will carry them to Harvick's first win in nearly three years.
6 comments:
Excellent read.
Saw a picture of the trophy on another website. It's a guitar on a base(but it's not attached), so we could possible see another "smashing" performance by Kyle Busch.
Off topic- can you send date trees in Farmville, yet. If so, send one my way. I want my blue ribbon!
Haven't heard much about special paint schemes for this race like in years past.
Should be rockin' too bad I will miss it live. =(
Nice GAG as usual.
I remember Harvick's Sugar Ray paint scheme for this race in 2003. It was pretty sweet...
Like how optimistic you are about Happy, but I think he still has some work to do before that win comes.
I'm going with Denny Hamlin as this week's winner. His dream of winning at Richmond may finally come true...
Hey, Jon....I don't know if I can watch another race with you! Please remember to take any medications you're on for high blood pressure, anxiety, panic attacks, post traumatic stress syndrome or the like, before the green flag waves!LOL
SB, it's quite possible that Kyle can win. He's excellent at that track. As for Farmville, I'm not at that level yet.
Kristen, I think the special paint schemes have stopped. When the race was presented by Warner Brothers, Dale Jr. had a Gossamer paint scheme, Kevin had a Tasmanian Devil scheme.
Gonger, thanks. Kevin's Sugar Ray scheme WAS sweet. And I think one year he had an Elvis scheme. I wouldn't count out Hamlin, as he's so determined to bring it home in front of the home fans. It was as recently as 2004 he was in the stands watching the race.
Beverly, I'm calmed down now! LOL! I'm going to try to watch as much of the race as possible, but it's my mother's birthday, so it will be difficult.
Good stuff.
Shouldn't the last winner at this track be listed as a possible winner this go around? Especially since he's gonna be driving hard to make the Chase.
I'll say Kyle, Martin, and Harvick will contend for the win.
Remember Rudd and Harvick's big confrontation at RIR a few years back?
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