Alex Bowman steals Richmond win from dominant Hamlin: An emotional Alex Bowman could only shake his head and give kudos to the crew of his No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet following a dramatic victory over Denny Hamlin Sunday in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway. Bowman took the lead for the first time all race on a restart with 10 laps remaining and easily pulled away from Hamlin, who had been the day’s most dominant driver. Bowman’s .381-second winning margin earned the 27-year old his first victory of the season, third of his career and first ever on a short track. He is the eighth different race winner in nine NASCAR Cup Series races this season.[Read More](4-18-2021)
#48-Alex Bowman won the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway. The win is his 1st win of the year, 1st win at Richmond and 3rd career win.
#11-Hamlin finished 2nd followed by #22-Logano, #20-Bell, pole sitter #19-Truex, Jr., #10-Almirola, #24-Byron, #18-Busch, #21-DiBenedetto, and #3-Dillon.
Logano led Hamlin late in the race but the caution came out with 20 laps remaining when Kevin Harvick wrecked. The leaders pitted and Hamlin won the race off pit road. The race went green with 12 laps remaining. Bowman passed Hamlin for the lead with 9 to go and held off the #11 to win by .3 second.
Stage 1 and 2 were both won by #11-Hamlin.
There were 20 lead changes among 7 drivers and 5 cautions for 39 yellow flag laps.
The average speed of the race was: 96.282mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Drivers Points Standings, Owners Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Richmond:
Alex Bowman won the 66th Annual TOYOTA OWNERS 400, his third victory in 199 Cup Series races.
This is his first victory and fourth top-10 finish in 2021.
This is his first victory and second top-10 finish in 11 races at Richmond Raceway.
Denny Hamlin (second) posted his 18th top-10 finish in 30 races at Richmond Raceway. It is his eighth top-10 finish in 2021.
Joey Logano (third) posted his 14th top-10 finish in 25 races at Richmond Raceway.
Chase Briscoe (22nd) was the highest finishing rookie.
Denny Hamlin leads the point standings by 81 points over Martin Truex Jr.
(NASCAR)(4-18-2021)
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Richmond:
(race 9 of 26 in the regular season)
1) #19-Martin Truex, Jr. [2 wins], 353
2) #22-Joey Logano [1 win], 352
3) #24-William Byron [1 win], 310
4) #12-Ryan Blaney [1 win], 304
5) #5-Kyle Larson [1 win], 299
6) #20-Christopher Bell [1 win], 257
7) #48-Alex Bowman [1 win], 236
8) #34-Michael McDowell [1 win], 199
9) #11-Denny Hamlin, 434 [point leader]
10) #9-Chase Elliott, 285
11) #4-Kevin Harvick, 273
12) #2-Brad Keselowski, 269
13) #18-Kyle Busch, 245
14) #3-Austin Dillon, 239
15) #47-Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., 222
16) #1-Kurt Busch, 214
See the Driver Points Standings and Owners Point Standings.
Cars to the rear: none
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway have been made.
Pole winner #19-Truex, Jr., chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #11-Hamlin took the sixth stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on Pit Stall chart.(4-14-2021)
#19-Martin Truex, Jr. will start from the pole for the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.
#11-Hamlin will start second, followed by #9-Elliott, #24-Byron, #22-Logano, #5-Larson, #12-Blaney, #20-Bell, #4-Harvick, #18-Busch.
The lineup was set by the qualifying metrics, based on race finish, points position, and fastest race lap.
See the complete starting order on the Toyota Owners 400 Starting Lineup page.(4-14-2021)
Crew Rosters
Goodyear Tire Notes
The Entry List for the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway is posted, 38 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Some of the drivers entered include: #15-Davison, #33-Cindric, #53-Smithley, #77-Haley.
Not entered: #66-Hill.
See the full entry list on the Toyota Owners 400 Entry List page.
There will not be practice or qualifying at Richmond.
2021 Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway TandemDraft Stats