Langley Speedway's influence felt at Richmond International Raceway
With NASCAR heading to Richmond International Raceway for two nights this week, highlighted by the Toyota Owners 400 on Saturday, local track Langley Speedway will go dark for a weekend. That doesn't mean Langley will be out of sight or mind: The track cuts too wide a swath in the racing community for that.
Start with former Langley Speedway TV host Kaitlyn Vincie. Now a NASCAR reporter for Fox Sports 1, she's been busy preparing for segments that will air on television throughout the weekend, as well as her new gig as a K&N Series pit reporter.
C.E. Falk, Langley's Late Model champ in four of the past five seasons, has been working on the car he'll race at South Boston on Thursday in the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown, which he memorably won by holding off Hamlin and Tony Stewart on the final lap several years ago. That is, when he's not tending to his job in Charlotte maintaining suspension equipment for two Cup drivers - Landon Cassill and David Stremme - who will drive in Saturday's race.
Former Nationwide Series driver Greg Edwards and Matt Waltz - the Late Model winners at Langley this season - also are readying for the Hamlin charity event. That race has moved for the first time in years from RIR, where Edwards placed second.
Current track owner Bill Mullis and former owner Wayne Wyatt are catching up on their businesses this week, but as always, they're keeping a close eye on NASCAR. With the roar of engines days away, we felt it fitting to check with those Langley Speedway-affiliated folks for their opinions about this weekend at RIR.
Below, they offer their contributions to our biannual 'Five Storylines at RIR' segment.
Clint Bowyer returns to RIR
Kaitlyn Vincie: The last time he raced at Richmond, he had the famous spin that was so controversial for so many weeks (and led to former Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex being booted from the Chase). He comes to Richmond this season without a win and not yet being in the Chase, but he does well there.
Plus, he got married this past week to his longtime girlfriend, Laura, in the Bahamas, so I think he'll have some pep in his step and is my pick to win. Richmond is one of only three tracks he has multiple wins at.
Chase Elliotton the rise
Greg Edwards: In my mind, Chase Elliott winning the past two Nationwide Series races is the biggest thing (he will run in the Toyota Care 250 on Friday). We've been seeing him beat the best in (Sprint) Cup, and we'll see if he can do that Friday.
At Darlington, (Cup regulars) Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick were all over him and he held his own. I think the writing is on the wall that he's going to be a Sprint Cup star.
Young guns blazing
Bill Mullis: I think a big storyline is these Rev Racing drivers who came to the (NASCAR Drive for Diversity) combine at Langley Speedway. Kyle Larson (with four top-10s in his last five Cup races) is driving great in Cup, Darrell Wallace is racing trucks, and Daniel Suarez just got called up (by Joe Gibbs Racing) to run in the Nationwide Series at Richmond. I think those up-and-coming drivers like them and Chase Elliott will bring a resurgence of NASCAR.
Wayne Wyatt: You look at all of the young drivers coming on, like Ryan Blaney and Ryan Truex in Nationwide, and I think a lot of veterans in that series who moved down from Cup are looking over their shoulders.
Qualifying change
C.E. Falk: I think the new qualifying format (all of the drivers compete against each other for 30 minutes, before the fastest 12 settle the top spot over 10 minutes) is bringing fun to Fridays because everybody is essentially racing the clock at the same time.
The Penske drivers ( Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski) have done well qualifying, and I expect Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to do well qualifying at Richmond. As for our ( Hillman Racing) team, both drivers run good on short tracks, where aerodynamics and horsepower aren't as big a player. It would be a big win for us to get both in the (Cup) race.
Denny Hamlin seeks lift
Matt Waltz: They're probably just a little off (only one top-five in seven Cup races), but they're a good team and he's a good driver. He comes from the place I'm from (Langley Speedway) and that's motivation for me. It kind of gives you hope.
I think Richmond is really important for him. If he wins or drives well, I think it will be a turnaround for his season and give him a boost of confidence.
O'Brien can be reached by phone at 757-247-4963.
Post a Comment for "Langley Speedway's influence felt at Richmond International Raceway"