With all the rain and delays in Atlanta I am writing this weeks blog before the race actually starts this Tuesday morning at 11am . I don’t think I remember a Tuesday race but I’m sure they have happened in NASCAR’s long History. So right now I’m not sure who will need what to make the Chase but no matter what it always comes down to Richmond to be “The Last Race to Make the Chase”.
So this week we’ll at RIR for the “Wonderful Pistachio 400″ in the former Capital of the South in Richmond Virginia. Richmond is near and dear to me because it’s the closest track and I conciser it to be my Home Track and also where I saw my very first NASCAR races years back. It’s also because of it’s length and shaped to be the best of both Short Track and Super Speedways. The 3/4 mile D shaped Oval allows for 2,3 and even 4 wide racing at high speeds like much larger tracks. Driver skills get maxed out with great “Rub’n is Racing” style we NASCAR fans just love.
Here are the Track Facts folks so jot them down for NASCAR Trivia with yer buddies down at the bar or friends and family at home. The Track was completed in 1946 but NASCAR didn’t become Official until 1948 and it’s was 5 years later they raced at Richmond in 1953. It’s a great 3/4 mile D-Shaped Oval with 14 degree Banking in the Turns while the 1,290′ Frontstretch is 8 degrees and the 860′ Backstretch is a flat 2 degrees. They just added New Safer Barriers along the entire inside of the Backstretch this year which helps keep things safer for Drivers on the 60′ Wide Track with 10′ Apron. Most people don’t know this but RIR holds about 14,000 LESS Fans then it did just a few years ago. The wider seats and removing of obstructed view seats has taken RIR from roughly 112,000 to just under 98,000 of some of the best fans in NASCAR. Richmond International Raceway is the Only Track in NASCAR to hold all of it’s Major Events under Lights.
Racing Facts go like this folks. Denny Hamlin won here last Fall on what looked like a Chase Championship that didn’t pan out for him. Can you guess who has the Most Wins at RIR? You guessed it the King himself Richard Petty with 13 Wins at Richmond. [3] seems to be the most of any Active Drivers with Dale Jr, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson & Terry Labonte filling those shoes. They have had a few as Zero Cautions in 1976 to as many as [15] twice back in 2003 and 2009. You have to Qualify good at RIR to have the best chance of winning too. Half of the Races have been won from the Top 5 Qualifying spots and 3/4 of them from the Top 10. Here is a fact that stuck out at me. In 1953 ONLY ONE CAR was Running at the Finish of the Race. WOW!
The www.RIR.com web site is loaded with great fan friendly information and maps to make going to the race more easy. Ticket Prices are affordable at between $45 & $90 for Grandstand seating and the Green Zone Hospitality Package with Pit Pass and Food and Drinks and Q & A with Brad K is just $90 per person. The Track provides a Family Friendly Section with no alcohol and also plenty of Accessible Seating for those challenged in that way. There’s lots of Camping near and the only down side is Traffic is always very tough after the race.
While down there in Richmond take some time to get some Award Winning BBQ from a good friend and fellow competitor Tuffy Stone. Trust me you will love the place, the Q and will most likely buy yerself some BBQ Sauce to take home too. Check him out with this link. http://www.qbarbeque.com/
As for me look for me and my good friends at Bubba Burger the Official Burger of Richmond International Raceway. They will be selling those great Bubba Burgers around the Track and I will be Guest Chefing and who knows what all we’ll come up with for you Race fans. You’ll Never Bite a Better Burger than a Bubba! See YOU at RIR!
First perky Jerky fan to come up to me at RIR and mention this Blog [in a kind way] gets some FREE Perky Jerky! How’s that?!
peace
Pit Boss Mike Hedrick
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