NASCAR at Richmond 2014: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule and More
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Richmond International Raceway under the Saturday night lights in the final race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup officially begins.
The teams and drivers on the cusp of making the Chase will be looking at this race as "win or go home," and the resulting on-track action could be explosive. Richmond is a track known for its beating and banging, and it will only be amplified by the frenzy of the Chase.
Here is all the vital viewing information for this week’s race and a preview of the festivities.
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Where: Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, Virginia
When: Saturday, September 6
Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Watch: ABC
Live Stream: ABC.Go.com
Breaking Down the Race and Predicting a Winner
Watching NASCAR races is always a great experience, but following 43 cars racing around a track as tough as Richmond under the lights on a Saturday night makes this one of the most anticipated events of the year.
For many fans, the Richmond night race is the official end of summer.
After Kasey Kahne won at Atlanta Motor Speedway, 14 positions in the Chase were cemented. With two spots remaining, the quest to become one of the two drivers who make the Chase will be the focus of the race.
A win and a top-30 spot in the rankings gets any driver into the Chase, but stars like Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson can get in on points if everything shakes out in their favor.
Unfortunately for the drivers looking to win their way into the Chase, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be looking for a big win as well. Earnhardt has already won three races this season and finished seventh the last time the Sprint Cup Series came to Richmond.
The No. 88 car has a new sponsor in Nationwide for the week, and the team would like nothing more than to put the company in Victory Lane. Nationwide chief marketing officer Matt Jauchius spoke about the relationship and the new paint scheme:
"Dale is having a season to remember, and Nationwide is excited to launch our new long-term relationship as a primary sponsor this season as he pursues the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. We think fans will like the new look of the No. 88 car when they see it hit the track next week in Richmond.
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In 30 career races at Richmond, Earnhardt has racked up three wins, nine top-five finishes and 24 top-20 finishes. His consistency at the track has made him a perennial contender to win, and his previous success this season has given him the confidence needed to grab yet another victory.
Earnhardt has been the picture of consistency throughout the season as well.
With an average finish of 11th through 25 races and wins at Daytona and Pocono—he won both races at the tricky triangle—there is no question Junior will be in contention for the win on Saturday night.
If the No. 88 car can stay out of trouble—something he was unable to do at Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks ago—the Hendrick Motorsports power under the hood for Earnhardt should be enough to guide him to another victory and give him even more momentum heading into the Chase.
Predicted Winner: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Stats via NASCAR.com.
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