Richmond Groovy Gauge Presented by Lectric eBikes

What’s Happening?

Austin Dillon stunned the NASCAR world at Richmond, scoring his first win of the season, snapping a long drought, and locking himself into the playoffs. The RCR driver held off Ryan Blaney in the closing laps, while Kyle Busch struggled, Chase Elliott’s momentum took another hit, and William Byron clinched the regular season championship. Richmond’s short track stage set the tone for chaos as the playoff picture tightened and storylines erupted heading into Daytona. Check out Eric Estepp’s full breakdown in this week’s Out of the Groove, featuring the Groovy Gauge, powered by Lectric eBikes.

Groovy Gauge Score: 90%

• Eric left Richmond energized, calling it one of the best races of the season and a refreshing change of pace for NASCAR’s short track product. Yes, it was still a strategy race, but this time tire wear—not fuel mileage—was the deciding factor, and Goodyear’s aggressive compound delivered action throughout the night. Fans saw comers and goers on equal tires, side-by-side battles, and a thrilling duel between Austin Dillon and Ryan Blaney that highlighted just how good Richmond can be when the cars and tires click.
• The event itself carried a vibe NASCAR has sorely needed: a Saturday night short track sellout with a raucous crowd and genuine on-track drama. Multiple restarts, three and four-wide chaos, a big wreck, and a surprising winner kept the energy high from start to finish.
• For Eric, Richmond’s return to form was a major win. After weeks of tedious strategy races, this one felt like a throwback to what fans expect from the “Action Track.” His 90% Groovy Gauge score reflected not just Dillon’s upset victory but the overall quality of racing, a race to remember for all the right reasons this time.

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