Clint Bowyer has one victory at Richmond International Raceway, but he holds the top spot early on in the Crown Royal 400. Kasey Kahne lurks close for the top spot, while Jeff Gordon, polesitter Juan Pablo Montoya, and Regan Smith hold the top-five.
Denny Hamlin, the hometown hero who won his own charity race Thursday and took last night's Nationwide race, has climbed to sixth place after starting 11th. Teammate Kyle Busch, who started 20th, has broken into the top-ten in his Toyota.
Point leader Carl Edwards holds down the 10th position.
Montoya led the opening 25 laps of the race from the pole but has dropped steadilly since losing the lead to Bowyer.
Perennial series champion Jimmie Johnson has only climbed to 27th after starting 30th. Much better is Matt Kenseth, who started 33rd and has driven his Ford - which shares Crown Royal sponsorship with the race - into the 21st position.