The NASCAR Cup Series returns after a three week break to race at Richmond Raceway. The Cup Series raced at Richmond on Easter and the race was dominated by Martin Truex Jr. and won by Denny Hamlin. Will Joe Gibbs Racing win another race at Richmond, or will another team find their way to Victory Lane? It will be fun to see how it all plays out on this short, flat track. The Cook Out 400 can be seen Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
The Cup Series had a 45-minute practice session Saturday to test out a new softer tire to improve the short track racing. Richmond Raceway is a .75-mile, flat track. Most of the drivers were able to make some long runs in practice so we have plenty of data to use to help predict which drivers will run up front Sunday night.
Here is my starting lineup for the Cook Out 400 …
MARTIN TRUEX JR. (8): The Cup Series has completed 22 races and Truex has yet to find Victory Lane. That could change Sunday night. Truex lead 228 laps, scored 17 Stage Points and finished fourth at Richmond in March. His average finishing position at Richmond since joining Joe Gibbs Racing is 4.3. I know Denny Hamlin won the pole, but I am running out of allocations with Hamlin. I will save the No. 11 car for the playoffs and use Truex (who needs points or a win) Sunday night.
JOSH BERRY (9): Berry and Crew Chief Rodney Childers will not be together next year, but I do not think this team is ready to give up (that will happen once they are eliminated from the playoffs). Childers was really good at giving Kevin Harvick a fast car at Richmond and it looks like he did the same with Berry this weekend. The No. 4 car looked like it had the fastest speed in qualifying, but Berry had an extra lap on his tires. This is a crew chief’s race so I will trust Childers Sunday night.
CHRIS BUESCHER (7): Buescher currently sits 15th in the Playoff Standings. He really needs a win to take the pressure off in these final four races. Buescher won this race last year and he looks fast again this weekend. Buescher posted the seventh-fastest speed in practice and qualified seventh for the race. I will take my chances with the No. 17 car at Richmond.
CHASE BRISCOE (3): Briscoe has been at his best on the short, flat tracks this year. He finished ninth at Phoenix, 10th at Martinsville and second at New Hampshire. Briscoe posted the 12th-fastest speed and he said he liked his car. Briscoe sits 18th in the Point Standings and only 16 drivers make the playoffs. I expect this team to gamble to try and steal a win Sunday night. I am willing to gamble too with Briscoe in my lineup.
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