Instagram Facebook Youtube Tiktok Discord

The Dominant Drivers to Watch Out for at Richmond

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA - APRIL 02: Kyle Larson, driver of the (5) Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet, waves the checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 02, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Joshua Lipowski

All Content
Royal T Grafix

Join the Conversation

Instagram Facebook Youtube Tiktok Discord
It's the second visit of the season for the Cup Series to the Richmond Raceway in Virginia. Team have a notebook from the spring race here, and it could give us a solid idea about who to watch out for this weekend. Who are the five drivers to watch out for this weekend at Richmond?

It’s the second visit of the season for the Cup Series to the Richmond Raceway in Virginia. Team have a notebook from the spring race here, and it could give us a solid idea about who to watch out for this weekend. Who are the five drivers to watch out for this weekend at Richmond?

5. Christopher Bell

By the Numbers: 0 Wins; 4 Top-5s; 5 Top-10s; 6 Races; Avg. Finish 5.7; 99 Laps Led

Spring Race Result: Started 21st, Finished 4th, 20 Laps Led; Stage 1: 8th; Stage 2: 2nd

Breakdown: In his first career race at Richmond, Christopher Bell had a respectable 15th place finish. Since then, he has never finished worse than sixth. That win has always eluded him, but it seems it is only a matter of time before Bell gets to Richmond Raceway’s victory lane.

4. William Byron

By the Numbers: 0 Wins; 1 Top-5; 2 Top-10s; 10 Races; Avg. Finish 15.4; 238 Laps Led

Spring Race Result: Started 1st; Finished 24th; 117 Laps Led (Most Laps Led); Stage 1: 1st; Stage 2: 3rd

Breakdown: William Byron’s career at Richmond has been feast or famine, especially over the last few years. He led 122 laps here in the spring after winning the pole, but he finished 24th after getting spun out late. He also led over 100 laps in April of 2022 to finish third, but he has finished outside of the top-10 in the last two late-summer races at Richmond. Regardless of that, Byron’s run in the spring makes him a threat.

3. Kyle Larson

By the Numbers: 2 Wins; 4 Top-5s; 8 Top-10s; Avg. Finish 10.8; 185 Laps Led

Spring Race Result: Started 9th; Finished 1st; 93 Laps Led; Stage 1: 2nd; Stage 2: 8th

Breakdown: Kyle Larson has an impressive 10.8 average finish at Richmond, but he has a 10.2 average finish over his last 10 races there. This includes two victories, one of which happened back in the spring. He also has two poles there coming in September of 2021 and August of 2022.

2. Denny Hamlin

By the Numbers: 4 Wins; 17 Top-5s; 21 Top-10s; Avg. Finish 8.7; 2,206 Laps Led

Spring Race Result: Started 11th; Finished 20th; 71 Laps Led; Stage 1: Outside Top-10; Stage 2: 1st

Breakdown: The spring race at Richmond was not Denny Hamlin’s best result at the track, but, given his history there and at short tracks in general, he is always someone to watch out for. Richmond is his home race track, and the spring race was the first time since 2020 and just the third time since the fall of 2015 that he finished outside of the top-6. He will be a factor on Sunday.

1. Kyle Busch

By the Numbers: 6 Wins; 18 Top-5s; 27 Top-10s; Avg. Finish 7.5; 1,530 Laps Led

Spring Race Result: Started 2nd; Finished 14th; 1 Lap Led; 0 Stage Points

Breakdown: The spring race at Richmond was a poor performance by Kyle Busch standards; as it was the first finish outside of the top-10 at the track since April of 2017. He has led laps in 23 of his 35 starts there, and he has never either failed to finish a race or finish outside of the top-25. The spring race was likely just a blip on the radar, and he should be back up front on Sunday.

Based on spring race results and historical results at the track, these drivers are all ones to watch this weekend at Richmond. Some are historically dominant, while others are just starting to hit their peak. Will this weekend be a member of the new guard or the old guard?

Share this:

Join the Conversation

Instagram Facebook Youtube Tiktok Discord
AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: SVG Wins at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The checkered flag is out for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series competitors at COTA, and it was Shane van Gisbergen who was left standing tall at the end of the race. His 5th career O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory, it was his first at the track.

  • The opening stage was dominated by the JRM duo of Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen with the No. 1 of Zilisch looking to be the stronger of the two early on. Prior to the end of the stage, both short-pitted, making a long-term play for the win. SVG still managed to end the stage in 10th.
  • Austin Hill stayed out after a disappointing showing in Atlanta last week to collect some stage points. Also running strong in the first stage were Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer, Brandon Jones, and Jesse Love.
  • Despite not being in his usual ride, Carson Kvapil was very competitive in his DGM No. 91 Chevy. Granted, the car was prepared by JR Motorsports ahead of this race, but it was DGM guys running the show. They did an admirable job, bringing the car home in the 19th position after falling off late. He’ll have 5 more starts in the car later this year to fill out the remainder of his schedule.
  • The second stage belonged to Sam Mayer. Finishing 2nd in the first stage and winning Stage 2, he had a mighty good points day today. Meanwhile, his former teammate Justin Allgaier also had a strong finish in stage 2. That’s a promising sign, considering his heartbreaks in Daytona and Atlanta, respectively.
  • Connor Zilisch had far from a perfect race today. Sure, he led a bulk of the opening stage, but mechanical issues plagued him later in the race. Extra time on pit road making repairs put him behind the 8 ball in Stage 2. This put the race firmly in the hands of SVG. He did manage to battle back to the top 5 before he was dumped by Corey Day and the controversy around that driver continues to build. Zilisch brought it home in 21st with significant damage.
  • With Connor Zilisch’s issues, it was more or less a cakewalk for Shane van Gisbergen in the JRM No. 9. He went on to win, scoring his 5th career win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. He has an opportunity to sweep the weekend. He starts tomorrow’s Cup race in the 13th position.

Race Results

Caution Tracker
  • Lap 20: End of Stage 1
  • Lap 35: Baltazar Leguizamon spins
  • Lap 40: End of Stage 2
  • Lap 57: Sage Karam

Points Standings

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #1 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

O’Reilly: Mid-Race Report, It’s the Zilisch and SVG Show!

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The first two stages are in the books for the stars of tomorrow in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA. Predictably, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen dominated the first two stages. As they short-pitted at the end of each stage, Austin Hill and Sam Mayer both went to collect stage wins, respectively. Here are the key takeaways from the race so far.

  • Austin Hill, after a disappointing finish to last week’s race in Atlanta following being sent by Ross Chastain, won the opening stage of the race. This was, of course, after Connor Zilisch and SVG short pitted, playing the long game for the win. Zilisch led a bulk of the opening stage, leading 12 of the opening 20 laps. On pit road, SVG managed to leapfrog Zilisch for the would-be race lead.
  • The only incident to note in the opening stage was when Jeremy Clements got off course. The caution did not fly, and he finished the stage in the 30th position.
  • Key drivers earning stage points in the opening stage include Austin Hill (10), Sam Mayer (9), Justin Allgaier (8), Brandon Jones (7), Jesse Love (6), Carson Kvapil (5), Corey Day (4), and Rajah Caruth (2).
  • The second stage wasn’t quite as cut and dry as the first. While battling for the lead, Connor Zilisch overdrove a corner, making an uncharacteristic mistake. He went over the radio to complain that it felt like his car was pulling to the right, an indication of a possible issue with his left side brakes.
  • There was a late caution in the stage as Baltazar Leguizamón suffered a brake failure and plowed hard into the tire barrier. He was okay but this effectively ended his day. SVG and Connor Zilisch both came down pit road during this caution. Zilisch had a slow stop as his No. 1 crew started to check out the right side of the car for potential brake problems. Sam Mayer went on to win the stage.
  • Earning stage points in the second stage were Sam Mayer (10), Justin Allgaier (9), Carson Kvapil (8), Jesse Love (7), Austin Hill (5), Sammy Smith (4), Brandon Jones (3), and Ryan Sieg (1).

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 28: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #9 Safety Culture Chevrolet, and Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, lead the field during the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on February 28, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

What to Keep an Eye on in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race at COTA

by Cody Williams

What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Saturday Double-Header continues with O’Reilly Auto Parts Series action from Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Here’s what you need to look out for and what to expect in today’s race.

  • Road course heavy hitters, Connor Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen, are in the field today. You know what that means: another slobber knocker of a race between them as everyone else struggles to keep up. And, you guessed it: they both are starting on the front row with Zilisch claiming the pole in his No. 1 JRM Chevy. SVG is driving the No. 9.
  • Since Zilisch is in the No. 1, Carson Kvapil has been demoted to the No. 91 of DGM Racing. While the car is prepared by JR Motorsports, it won’t be his usual pit crew. Rather, his crew is made up entirely of DGM employees. So, there are a lot of unknowns for him heading into today’s race. He’s starting 6th.
  • Speaking of JRM, Rajah Caruth turned some heads in the first two races of this season. How will he fare on a road course? That No. 88 team is used to winning on these types of tracks. Keep an eye on him. Caruth is rolling off 19th.
  • Austin Hill bounces back after a disappointing finish last week in Atlanta, thanks to the ruthless bumper of Ross Chastain. He’s rolling off in the 3rd position.
  • Coverage for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at COTA begins at 3 PM EST on the CW.

Starting Lineup

What do you think about this? Let us know your opinion on Discord or X. Don’t forget that you can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.