A Short‑Track Spectacle in Richmond
Grant Enfinger will pilot the No. 9 Chevrolet for CR7 Motorsports in the upcoming NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond Raceway, an event bolstered by a coalition of regional sponsors eager to showcase the Mountain State’s spirit on a national stage.
The partnership also includes West Virginia University Athletics and Grant County Mulch, organizations that will help attract WVU fans to the track. The West Virginia State Police even participated in a ceremonial ride through Morgantown as part of the promotional push.
Partnerships that Power the Event
West Virginia University Athletics, a long‑standing collegiate program, brings its extensive alumni network and fan base to the weekend, while Grant County Mulch contributes its local expertise and community connections. Together, they aim to blend national racing excitement with hometown pride.
Race Format and Technical Challenges
The competition will consist of 250 laps split into three stages, covering approximately 187 miles of short‑track action. Qualifying speeds are expected to hover between 115 and 118 mph, whereas race speeds will settle around 90 to 100 mph, making tire management a critical factor.
Practice begins at 1 p.m. on Friday, qualifying follows at 2:05 p.m. on FS2, and the green flag drops at 7:30 p.m. on FS1, creating a night‑time spectacle under the lights of Richmond’s historic venue.
Enfinger’s recent form adds intrigue: he finished 13th in last year’s event but captured a victory in 2020, and earlier this season he celebrated a win at Lime Rock in July driving the same No. 9 Chevrolet now entered for Richmond.
Track officials emphasize that tire wear will be decisive, as the super‑worn asphalt can degrade dramatically after just 50 to 65 laps, forcing teams to balance a fuel window of up to 110 laps with the need to preserve rubber. The combination of local enthusiasm, competitive stakes, and technical nuance promises a memorable weekend for drivers and fans alike.