The action was fast and furious during Fan Appreciation Weekend at Richmond International Raceway. The energy from the track to the crowd was electric as sparks flew, tempers flared and 40 of the world’s most talented athletes roared around America’s Premier Short Track in one of the more memorable NASCAR regular season finales.

From the dramatic four-wide salute to furious four-wide racing, it was some of the best racing of the NASCAR season. The consensus from fans, drivers, and media was the action is truly back at “The Action Track!”

Credit: SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

40 #NASCAR drivers drove their guts out last night - leaving must to say "fricken #awesome" Thank you @RIRInsider pic.twitter.com/CbQ8VsvZxn

— Jeff Striegle (@JeffStriegle) September 11, 2016

This 4-wide salute deserves a standing ovation. Bravo @RIRInsider and @RIRprez pic.twitter.com/fJfDWTAQbd

— NASCAR Memes (@NascarMemes) September 11, 2016

Great race at @RIRInsider! And congrats to @dennyhamlin!!Happy for @Chris_Buescher too! But live tweeting @DaleJr 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/xFIEWxVjDS

— Daryl Motte (@DarylMotte) September 11, 2016

Honestly can't say I've ever seen better racing then I saw tonight at @RIRInsider. Bring on the Chase!

— Dave Moody (@DGodfatherMoody) September 11, 2016

middle and top groove action. I'm jealous.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) September 11, 2016

@RIRInsider this was easily the best race that I have been to at RIR in 24 years. Can not wait until 2017!! #ThanksFans #ThanksRIR

— JJ Wilson (@jjwilson18) September 11, 2016

Incredible night watching @keselowski scream around the turns at @RIRInsider. Love night racing! pic.twitter.com/LobUKNJumy

— Darren Murph (@darrenmurph) September 11, 2016

Action Track Chase for the Sprint Cup Federated Auto Parts 400 Jimmie Johnson Kevin Harvick Kurt Busch NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR

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Just Goin' HAMlin

 He started from the pole and was competitive all night long. After a couple hiccups mid-season, Denny Hamlin is cruising into his latest Chase appearance by rattling off eight straight Top-10 finishes punctuated by a victory in the regular season finale at his hometown track in Richmond. “That's what's so special about it...you get to do it at home, and there's just all the extra Denny Hamlin shirts and hats and everything, and [it] fires me up every time I get here," said Hamlin. "And man, this is a great car. Hopefully we can use it in the Chase.”

Video Game Larson

If Hamlin is one of the hottest drivers heading into the Chase, Kyle Larson isn't too far behind. Larson was able to recover from an early loose wheel to secure his best finish (2nd) ever at Richmond. The Chip Ganassi driver weaved his way through the field off the final restart, and had a car capable of running down Hamlin with a few more laps. “It felt like a video game on rookie mode, having fresh tires like that,” Larson told NBCSN. “It was a fun last restart and to get all the way to second. I felt I could get to fourth, but I got to second, so that was great.”

Junior Chimes In

Since he couldn't actually be on the track at Richmond, Dale Earnhardt Jr. chose to spend his Saturday night live-tweeting the Federated Auto Parts 400 action. From jealousy pangs to color commentary to driver insights and more - Junior's Twitter game was on point. 

Lets Go Crown A Champion

26 races down. 10 to go. 16 drivers in the hunt. After a spectacular regular season finale at Richmond, the field is down to Ready. Set. Chase. beginning this weekend in Chicagoland. We've got the entire Joe Gibbs Racing machine gunning for a repeat title, four newcomers, a couple of future Hall of Famers and several former Champions in the field. Who's your pick to win the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup? Let us know in the comments below!

Chase for the Sprint Cup Dale Earnhardt Junior Denny Hamlin Fan Appreciation Weekend Federated Auto Parts 400 Kyle Larson Richmond International Raceway RIR Victory Lap

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Chase for the Sprint Cup Denny Hamlin Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR

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The Presidents Own, The National United States Marine Band, made their RIR debut with ONE National Anthem performance for the record books.

Military and service member appreciation was everywhere tonight, including the veteran jump team who flew into the RIR Infield with TWO American Flags in tow.

The Air Force was BACK! And their flyover during the National Anthem, combined with the passovers by the Bandit Flight Team during God Bless America and the Command, gave our Pre-Race Show THREE flyovers.

The penultimate moment for Fan Appreciation Weekend happened right before the green flag waved. The entire Sprint Cup field went FOUR-wide for the first time in Series history, saluting the fans for a fantastic 2016 season.

Fan Appreciation Weekend Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR

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TICKETS  |  MAPS  |  FAMILY FUN  |  WEEKEND SCHEDULE  |  FAN APPRECIATION

We’re adding more appearances to this list daily so you can plan your weekend schedule accordingly. (Pssst… this doesn’t even include the surprises we have up our sleeves!)

Don't forget, NASCAR’s future stars will be signing autographs from 2-2:45 pm on Friday afternoon. Show your Virginia529 College Savings 250 ticket at the Virginia529 midway display starting at 10:00 am to get a wristband for access. (Limited to the first 350 fans.)

20 RIDE will be kicking off the pre-race festivities with a concert on the track on Saturday night. From southern rock, to Caribbean rhythm and sultry bedroom ballads, these good ol' boys from upstate Carolina definitely know how to entertain. Pick up a Driver Intro pass to see ‘em up close!

Follow us on social media to keep up with all of the appearances, surprise giveaways, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the weekend. Plus, #ThanksFans will have all your Fan Appreciation news from around the sport (think: NASCAR, partners, media, and other fans).

Make sure you’ve got those grills and coolers packed! With acres of free parking and an entire day to prepare for the race, tailgating at Richmond is some of the best on the circuit. See more info here and tweet us when you’re cooking up something delicious…we’re probably hungry.

What could make race weekend even better? How about: garage access, fan hospitality, pit passes, or seeing your favorite drivers up close! If you're looking for a mix of everything, check out 3-Wide Hospitality. It includes a Saturday pre-race pit pass, plus access to a climate-controlled fan hospitality area where you can enjoy food, festivities and special Q&A's with Sprint Cup drivers Kasey Kahne and Kurt Busch.

The midway, a fan-favorite every race weekend, will be chock full of fun displays. Show your Toyota, Lexus, or Scion key at the Toyota Owners Hub to grab a quick bite and relax before heading back out to see the Monster Jump Team, Miller Lite Party Zone, or riding the Toyota Ferris Wheel. Bookmark the Midway map here and plan your route.

Whether you’re at the track or at home, our goal is to make sure you feel appreciated. Keep your eyes peeled for signage everywhere – although we don’t think you’re going to have any trouble spotting these:
- Fan Appreciation Restart Zone
- Painted apron
- Car decals
- Miss Sprint Cup’s firesuit
- Pit road 

Our friends at Sprint couldn’t be more excited to say #ThanksFans for years of support and lifelong memories. Visit the Sprint display in the Midway to see the Sprint Cup trophy up close and appearances by Miss Sprint Cup. They will also be giving away $5 concessions vouchers AND randomly choosing fans to join them in the Sprint Fan Suite for the race! (While supplies last.)

M&M’S is literally rolling out the red carpet on Friday and Saturday. Snag FREE M&M’S, see Kyle’s No. 18 showcar, meet the M&M’S characters, and more! Don’t miss the gate giveaways and more #ThanksFans opportunities all weekend long.

The flagship event of Fan Appreciation Weekend, Gridside Live! will give you unprecedented access to your favorite drivers – FREE for all ticket holders, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm on the frontstretch. (RICHMOND NATION members can get in early at 1:00 pm and get a free gift.) Check out the schedule here to see when your favorites are appearing.

Fan Appreciation Weekend Federated Auto Parts 400 NASCAR Richmond International Raceway RIR Top 10

8:00 AM

Kick-off your Saturday night NASCAR party on a high-note with 20 RIDE! Making their first appearance at RIR, 20 RIDE will get the show started on the Pre-Race stage prior to the Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday, September 12th at 5:50 p.m.

From southern rock, to Caribbean rhythm and sultry bedroom ballads, 20 RIDE talents offer something for everyone, and these good ol' boys from upstate Carolina definitely know how to entertain. We can't wait to see these guys hit the stage and get the fans ready before their favorite drivers walk across the Pre-Race stage.

> JOIN IN THE FESTIVITIES WITH A DRIVER INTRO PASS <

20 Ride Fan Appreciation Weekend Federated Auto Parts 400 Richmond International Raceway RIR

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September 7, 1991: Harry Gant shines “under the lights” at Richmond International Raceway, winning the first scheduled night race at the Action Track. It was the second of four consecutive trips to Victory Lane that month - earning him the nickname “Mr. September.”

September 12, 1998: Jeff Burton and Jeff Gordon hook up for the closest finish in NASCAR action at Richmond. Burton edges Gordon by just 0.051 second for the win after starting third. His winnings top $100,000 for the first time at Richmond.

September 11, 1999: Future champion Tony Stewart wins his first ever Cup race by edging teammate Bobby Labonte. Richmond remains close to Stewart’s heart; he’s had nothing but praise for the track: "It's not one of my favorite tracks; it is my favorite track," Stewart says. "It is literally the favorite track of mine on the circuit."

September 8, 2001: Virginia native Ricky Rudd loses the lead after being bumped by Kevin Harvick in the waning laps of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo 400. With just six laps to go, Rudd retaliates with a push from behind to re-take the lead en route to his second win at Richmond. Finishing third in that battle? Dale Earnhardt Jr.

September 12, 2009: “One Last Race to Make The Chase” again lives up to its billing. The Chase field is unsettled until the final lap, as Brian Vickers edges Kyle Busch by just eight points for the 12th spot in NASCAR’s playoffs. Denny Hamlin finally takes the checkered flag in a Cup Series race at his hometown track for the first time.

September 8, 2012: Jeff Gordon rallies from a lap down to race his way into The Chase with a second place finish to Clint Bowyer. Bowyer edged out Gordon by 1.198 seconds in one of the tightest finishes in RIR history. To this day, Gordon considers it one of his favorite moments at Richmond, commenting after the fact, "... It was amazing. I still can't believe we actually did it."

September 10, 2016: For the Federated Auto Parts 400 this September, we celebrate the RIR tradition of racing under the lights with the "25th Anniversary of The Night Race." To get ready, we're offering TWO tickets on the fronstretch for just $91 total.

Click Here To Get Yours And Join In On The Celebration

Clint Bowyer Denny Hamlin Federated Auto Parts 400 Harry Gant Jeff Burton Jeff Gordon NASCAR Richmond International Raceway Ricky Rudd RIR Tony Stewart

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