 Some clinch scenarios at Richmond: Only #31-Ryan Newman controls his own destiny,
no matter who wins at Richmond. If there is a repeat 2014 winner (or a Kenseth victory),
Newman is guaranteed a spot in the Chase if he finishes 41st or better; or 42nd with at least
one lap led; or 43rd and the most laps led. If there is a new winner (that is not Kenseth),
Newman is guaranteed a Chase spot with a finish of 18th or better; 19th and at least one lap
led; or 20th and the most laps led.
#16-Greg Biffle controls his own destiny if there is a repeat winner. If there is a repeat 2014
winner (or if Kenseth or Newman win), Biffle is guaranteed a spot in the Chase if he finishes
22nd or better; or 23rd with at least one lap led; or 24th and the most laps led. If there is a
new winner (that is not Kenseth or Newman), Biffle needs to out-point Newman by 19 points
and stay ahead of #15-Clint Bowyer and #42-Kyle Larson. Clint Bowyer and Kyle Larson are
the only other two drivers who can clinch a spot in the Chase without a victory.
The following drivers can only make the Chase with a win at Richmond (and a top-30 spot in
the standings): Paul Menard, Austin Dillon, Jamie McMurray, Brian Vickers, Marcos
Ambrose, Casey Mears, Martin Truex Jr., Tony Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Danica Patrick,
Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, David Gilliland, David Ragan and Cole Whitt
 NASCAR Numbers:
950: The number of laps led by Tony Stewart in 30 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at
Richmond International Raceway. That's far and away the most among drivers who enter the
Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400 without a victory this season.
19: The number of winless drivers who have not already clinched a spot in the Chase for the
NASCAR Sprint Cup but still have a mathematical chance to do so. Ryan Newman and Greg
Biffle are the two drivers likely to earn a spot on points. Realistically, the other 17 must win
at Richmond to have a shot.
195: The number of laps led on Sunday night at Atlanta by pole winner Kevin Harvick,
whose winning chances were wiped out in a multi-car wreck on the first attempt at a greenwhite-checkered-flag finish. Harvick finished 19th after dominating much of the race.
36.158: In seconds, the average time on pit road for Denny Hamlin, best among NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series drivers in Sunday night's race at Atlanta. Hamlin and teammate Matt
Kenseth (second best at 36.505 seconds on average) consistently beat Kevin Harvick out of
the pits, forcing Harvick to start in the outside lane where grip was in short supply.
Ultimately, that proved to be Harvick's undoing.
18: The finish Ryan Newman needs to achieve at Richmond in order to clinch a spot in the
Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. If he leads a lap, Newman can lock himself in with a
finish of 19th. If he leads the most laps, he can run 20th. Newman's average finish at the .75mile short track is 11.3
 Friedman Law Firm Joins the #66 at Richmond: The #66 JRR Team announced that the
Friedman Law Firm, based in Richmond, VA, has signed on as primary sponsor for the
Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway. Company founder, Rick
Friedman says, "Friedman Law Firm is built on passion and competitiveness. It's part of who
we are as a firm. We are thrilled to partner with IVR and Joe Nemechek for the Sprint Cup
Series race at RIR. Many of our current and potential clients are enthusiastic and loyal
NASCAR fans, and this sponsorship provides us a special opportunity to connect with the
massive NASCAR audience here in Virginia."
Joe Nemechek says, "I am very excited to be representing the Friedman Law Firm at
Richmond, it is one of my favorite tracks and I think we can run really well there."
"I am very happy to have Rick Friedman and The Friedman Law Firm partner with us for the
Richmond Race. It is very important that the #66 Team continues to show progress over the
last 11 races of the season and Mr. Friedman's support could not come at a better time," says
Jay Robinson, Team Manager
 Trouble with #66/#87 Ownership? UPDATE: The former managing partner of a large
Atlanta real estate firm faces a lawsuit that claims he stole millions of dollars from the firm.
The lawsuit, obtained from a source by Channel 2's Mike Petchenik, was filed Monday at
Fulton County Superior court, and alleges that Nat Hardwick, a partner in Morris, Hardwick
and Schneider, had taken at least $30 million from firm accounts and from escrow accounts
belonging to Landcastle Title. The lawsuit alleged that Hardwick took "approximately a
$1,000,000 to pay providers of private jet services," and made "$4,000,000 in wire transfers
to casinos." The lawsuit also alleges that Hardwick covered up his actions until they were
discovered by auditors.
Ed Garland, an attorney for Hardwick, called the allegations "false," and said "Nat looks
forward to clearing his name."
"Nat became aware of a problem with the accounting earlier this summer and immediately
alerted his partners and initiated a review by outside auditors," Garland said in a
statement."...Anybody who knows Nat knows that he loves the law firm, its employees, the
attorneys and the firm's many loyal clients. He would never knowingly or intentionally take
money he was not entitled to or harm the firm or its clients in any way," Garland said. "The
law firm was profitable, and Nat believed that all of the money he received was properly
distributed to him as his share of the profits of the firm."
What does this have to do with NASCAR and the #66 / #87 Jay Robinson Racing / /
Michael Waltrip Racing team?
LandCastle Title, Smart Ben and or Morris-Hardwick-Schneider have been on the #66
Toyota and on the #87 Toyota as a sponsor in many races during the 2014 season The last
two races Brett Moffitt has driven the #66 Toyota with Royal Teak Collection as the sponsor
at Bristol and no sponsor on the car at Atlanta.
From the PR announced on January 30, 2014: Veteran NASCAR team owners Jay Robinson
and Joe Nemechek of NEMCO-JRR have partnered with a group of five business leaders
including Atlanta based, Nat Hardwick, managing partner of Morris|Hardwick|Schneider and
CEO and Chairman of The Board of LandCastle Title, to form Identity Ventures Racing.
Identity Ventures Racing will be led by managing partner, Jay Robinson, crew chief, Scott
Eggleston and driver, Joe Nemechek. And it was announced the same day: Michael Waltrip
Racing announced a partnership with Jay Robinson Racing enabling the #66 Toyota Camry
to race in all 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup events.
The #66 Toyota has attempted to make all the races in 2014 and the #87 has made 2 of 5
attempted races in 2014.
No word on how or if this will affect either team.
UPDATE: There is no trouble with the ownership of the #66 team which is owned by
Michael Waltrip and Jay Robinson. The Nat Hardwick situation will have no effect on the
plans of the #87 Team either as Nat Hardwick's shares totaled less than 25% of Identity
Ventures Racing. "The only remaining race scheduled for the #87 is Talladega in the Fall and
the #87 will certainly be there," said team owner Jay Robinson
 Clay Rogers to attempt Richmond: Beard Motorsports plans to attempt to qualify the
#75 Chevy at Richmond, Clay Rogers will be the driver.Hess Racing Products Facebook and
on Clay Rogers Twitter: right now the plan is Richmond.
AND Beard Motorsports will attempt to qualify for their first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
race next week at Richmond International Speedway. Beard Motorsports will field the No. 75
Chevrolet. Clay Rogers, a veteran of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, will drive
the car and will also be bidding to qualify for his Sprint Cup debut. The team plans on
running an in-house sponsor, Beard Oil, a company team owner Mark Beard owns, and will
feature Darren Shaw calling shots as crew chief and Jason Reiner as spotter. The single-car
operation, based out of Mooresville, North Carolina, was on the official entry list for the July
New Hampshire Motor Speedway race, but withdrew their car before the race weekend