This weekend the NASCAR Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series will converge on Richmond Raceway in Virginia for the 24th round of the 26‑race regular season. The doubleheader marks a pivotal stretch as teams jockey for position before the playoffs.
Austin Dillon has turned Richmond into his personal hunting ground, winning the last two Cup races there and chasing a third straight victory that would echo Bobby Allison’s 1983 feat. His recent form has put him in the conversation for the championship despite sitting outside the playoff cut.
Championship Standings and Playoff Implications
Ty Gibbs, fresh off a win at Iowa Speedway, currently sits second in the championship standings behind Denny Hamlin, who enjoys a lead of more than 100 points. Hamlin’s consistency has made him the man to beat as the season winds down.
The official entry list features 37 drivers, including an open entry for the No. 66 driven by Josh Bilicki. Among the names to watch are Dillon, Hamlin and Gibbs, as well as Austin Cindric, who sits 16th in the Chase, and Ryan Preece, who trails Cindric by 29 points.
Broadcast coverage will be anchored by USA in the United States, with TSN handling the Canadian feed. The Sunday Cup race is slated to start at 6:30 p.m. Eastern, with the green flag waving at 7:10 p.m. after 400 laps of intense competition. Practice and qualifying sessions are scheduled for Friday, giving fans a full slate of on‑track action.
Recent storylines add extra intrigue: M&Ms is returning with a Kyle Busch tribute, while Josh Berry’s contract situation remains under discussion. Meanwhile, Corey Heim is poised to contend for the 2027 Rookie of the Year award, a prospect that has the series’ leadership excited.