Richmond Raceway, the track where the race was held.
Richmond Raceway (RR) is a 0.75 miles (1.21 km), D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in unincorporated Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.[9] Known as "America's premier short track", it has formerly hosted events such as the International Race of Champions, Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, and the USAC sprint car series. Due to Richmond Raceway's unique "D" shape which allows drivers to reach high speeds, Richmond has long been known as a short track that races like a superspeedway. With its multiple racing grooves, and proclivity for contact Richmond is a favorite among NASCAR drivers and fans.[10]
On July 16, NASCAR announced the rules used in the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway will be in effect. Teams will have six sets of yellow-lettered primary tires (it will generally require six sets of tires during the race, excluding safety car sessions, where teams often change tires on pit stops), and two sets of red-lettered option tires during the race, and teams will use one set of each in practice sessions. The eight sets of tires is the same as was the case in the March race, although two sets each will be of the softer option tires for this race. Teams will qualify on the primary tire, and must use both the primary and option tire during the race. Teams may not mix red and yellow letter tires on the car at the same time during the race.[11]
Entry list
(R) denotes rookie driver.
(i) denotes driver who is ineligible for series driver points.
Having taken the lead from Denny Hamlin with 28 laps to go, Austin Dillon, who entered the race 32nd in points, drove out to a two and a half second lead over the next twenty five laps. However, a crash right in front of him involving Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Ryan Preece sent the race into overtime. When the race resumed, Joey Logano, using the high line to his advantage, took the lead on the restart and led coming to turn three on the final lap. Dillon, realizing what was at stake, and despite being four car lengths back of Logano entering the corner, sent it in, and got into the back of Logano, sending him into a spin. Hamlin went through on the bottom but Dillon also got into the 11 car, sending Hamlin into the outside wall as Dillon took the win under caution. Logano and Hamlin later criticized Dillon for his actions.[14][15]
Three days later, NASCAR stripped Dillon of his playoff eligibility, whilst allowing the win to stand, whilst also fining Logano $50,000 for showing his frustrating with the RCR crew by spinning his tires in front of Dillon’s pit stall. In addition, Dillon’s spotter Brandon Benesch was suspended for three races after audio surfaced of him telling Dillon to “wreck him” (Hamlin) on the team radio.[16] RCR later announced they would appeal the penalties.[17] An independent appeals panel upheld all but the Benesch penalty on August 21. Benesch, who had served the first of his three race suspension at Michigan, had his penalty reduced to time served (one race).[18]
Average speed: 100.155 miles per hour (161.184 km/h)
Media
Television
USA covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton, and Steve Letarte called the race from the broadcast booth. Kim Coon, Marty Snider, and Dillon Welch handled the pit road duties from pit lane.
The Motor Racing Network had the radio call for the race, which was also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Alex Hayden, Jeff Striegle and Todd Gordon called the race from the broadcast booth for MRN when the field races through the front straightaway. Mike Bagley called the race from a platform when the field races down the backstraightaway. Jason Toy, Chris Wilner, and Winston Kelley called the action for MRN from pit lane.
