Country music singer to kick-off Saturday night’s pre-race festivities
Want to get your Saturday night started on the right note? Come see rising country music singer Tim Dugger perform on the pre-race stage prior to the Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday, September 12th. With songs like “Way Past My Beer Time” and “You Know Who We Are,” it’s sure to be a good time.

Making his first appearance at RIR, the Alabama native is no stranger to the sport. A lifelong NASCAR fan, Dugger has performed at several tracks across the NASCAR circuit ever since a chance meeting with Richard Childress at an Alabama nightclub got his foot in the door.

From his debut single “(I Called Her) Tennessee” to his latest hit “Beer on a Boat,” Dugger’s music has been charming NASCAR and country music fans across the country. The unique twang in his voice reminds fans of country music stars such as George Jones, Merle Haggard, or Waylon Jennings, and fans can hear even more of it with a new EP dropping on iTunes later this month.

Catch the show from the track’s surface with a Driver Introduction Pass, and stick around to see NASCAR’s stars up close and personal! Passes are still available online, or you can call 1-866-455-RACE to get yours today.

And remember, fans are invited back out on the track for the Second Annual Post-Race Party presented by Outback. Join host Rutledge Wood for the party on the pavement, and celebrate into the night with the 16 drivers who’ve raced their way into The Chase!
12:05 PM
Ten years after his breakout season, Biffle finds himself on the outside looking in. 
A decade ago Greg Biffle was on top of the NASCAR world. A six win campaign led him to his first Chase berth and an eventual second place finish in the final standings (just 35 points behind 2005 champ Tony Stewart). Fast forward ten years and "The Biff" is on the verge of missing the Chase for the first time since 2011.

Two races out and 48 points behind the No. 16 slot in the standings, a trip to the track thats "Too Tough to Tame," might be just what Biffle needs to right the ship. With two wins and a Top-10 finish in nearly half his races at Darlington, there are few tracks on Biffle's resume at which he has a better record.

While his last win at the Lady in Black might have come in 2006, maybe Biff can recapture some of his old school magic on Darlington's throwback weekend. And with nary a win in 26 starts at Richmond, this could be his last real chance to lock into the 2015 Chase.


11:01 AM
We’ve done a lot of talking about drivers on the outside looking in, but with one race to go until the Last Race to Make The Chase, now might be a good time to recap the drivers who have already secured their spots. While these drivers can relax a little more than the rest, they’re still after a good finish at RIR – and the points that come with it. 

 As Kurt Busch said, "It a perfect cut off scenario to make the Chase. If you're in or you're out, Richmond's a short track where you've gotta let it all hang out."

Four-time winners
Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch seem to have tag-teamed the majority of the wins this season; Jimmie’s came in the first half of the year (Atlanta, Texas, Kansas, and Dover) and Kyle has been dominating the second half (Sonoma, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Indianapolis). With several of these tracks back on deck in The Chase, the stars are surely lining up for both Johnson and Busch.

Thee-time winners
18 Top Tens (out of 24 total races) and three wins say Joey Logano has big-time plans for his 2015 post-season. Matt Kenseth has a Sprint Cup Series win at almost every track in The Chase (excluding only Martinsville), so he’ll be well-prepared to add another W or two.

Two-time winners
We’re surprised we haven’t seen reigning champ Kevin Harvick in Victory Lane more this season. With a whopping 21 Top Tens – 17 of those being Top Fives – he is blowing most of his competition out of the water. With a little less momentum, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is undoubtedly looking forward to two of his better tracks in The Chase – Talladega and Martinsville. Kurt Busch may have a shot at the Championship, too, if he can boost his average performance at tracks like Kansas and Charlotte.

One-time winners
Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex. Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Carl Edwards are all going to be digging in hard for a Richmond win to boost their Chase position. With the exception of Truex, these guys have a proven track record at RIR that may come in handy during the final regular season event.
9:10 AM


NASCAR on NBC reporter and Top Gear host Rutledge Wood brings his talents to the RIR Stage for the Second Annual Post-Race Party presented by Outback
From Top Gear, to NBC and now to the RIR stage; entertaining and engaging NASCAR reporter Rutledge Wood will join Richmond International Raceway on September 12th as host of the Second Annual Post-Race Party, presented by Outback.

After the “Last Race to Make The Chase” sets the field for the 2015 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, fans are invited down on the track to celebrate with the 16 elite drivers who’s championship dreams are still alive. Be there as Wood brings the sports stars out one by one to the party on the pavement.

With new presenting sponsor, Outback Steakhouse, on board, RIR plans to ignite the night with all of the things that create the best party in NASCAR.

It’s hype. It’s loud. It’s NASCAR America meets Miami nightclub. It’s the first time fans will see all 16 drivers who get onto the Chase Grid. And it’s going to be bigger than last year.

Who will race their way into one of those final spots in the Chase, and who will be left on the outside looking in? Be there to make your allegiance known as they cross the Post-Race Party stage following the Federated Auto Parts 400 on Saturday September 12.


The desperation of the Last Race to Make the Chase, and the glory of the Post-Race Party. You’ve got to see it, so tune into the on track action and the post-race excitement on NBCSN; coverage starts at 7:00 p.m.!

12:34 PM
We're often asked "so where can I run into a driver or two when they're in town for the race?" Well we won't make any guarantees, but we've put together a short list of local hot spots where you might be able to catch a glimpse of a driver or two on race week.

The Tobacco Company
In the heart of Richmond's Shockoe Slip, The Tobacco Company is where Victorian era elegance meets hopping Richmond nightlife (and a sweet happy hour). Located across from the Omni Richmond, visiting teams and drivers have this spot at the top of their dining to-do lists when visiting Virginia’s capital.

T-Millers Sports Bar & Grill
After a long day at the track, you can sometimes find industry folks winding down at T-Millers Sports Bar & Grill.  With its prime location at the foot of the Richmond Marriot, it’s the perfect spot for a nightcap before heading upstairs to rest up.

Rappahannock Restaurant 
Known for a massive raw bar with some killer oysters, this farm-to-fork joint has quickly become a favorite for locals and out-of-towners alike. When NASCAR rolls into RVA, some of the guys and gals can't resist throwing back a dozen or so oysters washed down with a local craft beer.
Dot’s Back Inn
Located just a couple miles from the track, Dot’s has been a Northside anchor for years. Guy Fieri even stopped by the local joint on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives in 2009. While the whole menu is excellent, Dot’s is the perfect brunch spot for Sunday morning before heading home.

RIR Lot F
Known to be an at-track hotspot, Lot F campers sure know how to throw a party in their home away from home. Friday night’s karaoke tradition brings over drivers and team members looking for a party. Michael Waltrip has stopped by a few times to throw back a beverage (or two) with some of the track’s friendliest fans. One thing's for sure, Lot F is always good for a good time. 


Where is your must-visit spot when you’re in Richmond? Leave it for us in the comments below!

10:09 AM
Clint Bowyer has a lot at stake two with just races before the Chase. 
Racing for a spot in the Chase is one thing, it’s an entirely different thing to be racing for a job. With the absolution of MWR’s full-time team beginning in 2016, Clint Bowyer has more on the line than anyone else.

Clint’s numbers on the Road to Richmond aren’t pretty. In nine starts at Darlington, Bowyer’s found himself inside the Top 10 just once, and only at Atlanta (21.3) does he have a worse average finish than his 20.1 showing at the Lady in Black. 

Richmond has been a little kinder to ol’ Shifty. With two wins and the second-most Top 10 showings at any track, his odds of celebrating in RIR’s Victory Lane are certainly better than his odds in the Southern 500.

With only two weeks left until the 2015 Chase field is set, Richmond may be one of Clint’s last chances to impress next year’s boss. Pile on missing last year’s Chase by just six points, and you’ve got an even more determined (desperate?) driver hunting down that W.
12:21 PM
A look at the current Chase Grid as we head into NASCAR's last off-week before the Chase:



With his win at Bristol, Joey Logano vaulted over Matt Kenseth and reigning Sprint Cup Champion Kevin Harvick in the Chase Grid Standings. Ryan Newman and Paul Menard flipped spots in the points after 10th and 24th place finishes in Thunder Valley, respectively. 
1:24 PM
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