The Richmond International Raceway is drying nicely and driver intros the Federated Auto Parts 400 are underway. NASCAR is hopeful that they can get the race started shortly after 9 p.m.
With 400 laps remaining in the regular season, most of the lead up for tonight's race has focused on the battle for the wild card. The drivers already set in the top-10 can not be ignored, however, as they go for three more bonus points for the start of the Chase.
Four-time winner Denny Hamlin will start no worse than in a tie for the top seed next Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway. A fifth win tonight will give him 15 bonus points to open the 10-race playoff, while if he holds stagnant and none of the three-time race winners - Jimmie Johnson, Brad Keselowski, and Tony Stewart - get into victory lane, he'll have 12.
In addition to those drivers looking for the top seed, Kevin Harvick and Martin Truex Jr. will be looking for their first wins of the season to make sure they don't open the Chase with zero points like the two wild card drivers.