Chesterfield native Denny Hamlin has his car serviced during an early pit stop in the Russ Friedman 400. A disastrous pit stop later dropped him from first to seventh. Denny Hamlin did what 100,000 fans were unable to accomplish last night - he made a quick exit from Richmond International Raceway. The Chesterfield native went another race without winning at his hometown track. This time, it was a pit stop disaster on the 274th lap, when a crew member fumbled the lugnuts on the right-front tire, costing Hamlin seven positions on the restart.

2009 Schedule and 2008 Results for the Sprint Cup Series.

Former Formula One driver Scott Speed is looking to build on his success at Talladega Superspeedway, where he finished fifth last week. Scott Speed lives on the proverbial bubble. The former Formula One driver can count on one hand the number of times he’s entered the weekend knowing he’ll start a Sprint Cup event. Speed is enjoying one of those rare weekends at Richmond International Raceway. The California native cemented the last and 36th locked-in position on the strength of his impressive fifth-place showing in the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway last Sunday.

We ended up surviving Richmond with a 21st-place finish; that isn’t too bad. We seriously thought we had a better car than that and really started to figure it out toward the end of the race. We got a lap down early when we were on pit lane and could just never make it back up to the front until late in the race. It wasn’t for lack of trying. We struggled tonight trying to get the handling of the PVA.org “Kings Cup Karting for a Cause” Dodge.

The week did not go well for Chrysler. A deal to keep the auto manufacturer solvent fell through at the last minute. Instead, bankruptcy is looming. The company can use all the good news it can get. For a few moments last night in the Crown Royal Presents Russ Friedman 400 at Richmond International Raceway, it appeared that Kurt Busch, driving his No.2 Dodge, a Chrysler product, was going to give the company and his fans quite a bit of good news.

Note: Money not available at press time. RACE STATISTICS
  Average speed: 90.627 mph Time: 3 hours, 18 minutes, 37 seconds Margin of victory: 2.751 seconds Caution flags: 15 for 79 laps Lead changes: 21 among 8 drivers
  Lap leaders: B.Vickers 1-6; J.Gordon 7; B.Vickers 8-22; J.Gordon 23-72; D.Hamlin 73-95; Ku.Busch 96; J.Gordon 97-98; R.Newman 99-100; D.Hamlin 101-116; C.Bowyer 117-123; D.Hamlin 124-144; Ku.Busch 145-151; D.Hamlin 152-213; M.Truex Jr. 214-235; R.Newman 236-248; D.Hamlin 249-274; R.Newman 275-299; Ky.Busch 300-302; R.Newman 303-307; Ky.Busch 308; J.Gordon 309-351; Ky.Busch 352-400

In an effort to dry the racetrack after afternoon showers, NASCAR officials ran several laps to improve track conditions at Richmond International Raceway before the start of the Crown Royal Presents the Russ Friedman 400. After nearly a 20-minute delay, track officials opted for a green-yellow start. The competition caution lasted six laps before the green flag dropped. Pole winner Brian Vickers benefited from the green-yellow start, earning five bonus points for leading under the yellow.

Kyle Busch celebrated his 24th birthday by winning the Crown Royal Presents Russ Friedman 400 tonight.

Jeff Gordon regained first place and led after 350 laps at RIR.

Kyle Busch is your leader after 300 laps at RIR.

Denny Hamlin retook his lead by winning the race off pit road following Kasey Kahne’s spin.

Former Chesterfield resident Denny Hamlin passed Jeff Gordon for the lead and was leading after 100 laps at RIR.

The Crown Royal Presents Russ Friedman 400 began at 7:54 p.m. with a green-yellow start.

Trucks with mounted dryers are working on the Richmond International Raceway track, attempting to dry it after a recent rain shower.

Jeff Gordon pulling away early at RIR.