Update: Richmond (Spring)

Matt Kenseth posted a lap of 121.076 mph in the final round of qualification for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway and will lead the field to green. The race is made up of 400 trips around the track, however, and Kenseth’s 10-lap average in Saturday morning’s session told a different story. He was only eighth on that chart. Kenseth also failed to impress in regard to his fastest laps in each session. Kenseth is going to be a challenging pick in games that offer place-differential points.

Ryan Blaney came up one position short of the pole for the third time this season. That has not been a good omen for him as he slipped to 23rd at Phoenix International Raceway and 12th at Texas Motor Speedway in the two previous outings. He had good speed over the duration, however, and that could positively impact his results. In that Texas race, Blaney was dominant for the first half of the 500-miler. He won both segments, but he has to learn to stay out of trouble and make it to the end.

Erik Jones qualified 20th, but again that is not the complete story. His slip in time trials could be a gift to players, however, because it practically guarantees he will have a positive place-differential. Jones was fast in every practice. He posted the quickest 10-lap average in the morning session. Look for him to finish in the top 10 at least. Players will want to bank those points.

Kevin Harvick posted the second-quickest time in final practice with a speed of 118.670 mph during his first 10 laps on the track. He was also second on the fastest-lap chart that period. Conditions in the morning are not the same as what they will experience on race day, however. Those are mirrored more closely in the afternoon and Harvick was well down the order in 26th.  

Kyle Larson complained throughout the weekend. He was loose in the corners and never seemed to exorcise the car of that problem. With 10 laps remaining, he was still sloughing through the corners and by his numbers in combined practices, he should be avoided. Larson qualified 18th. If this were some other season, he would not get noticed and probably be skipped on most rosters. Larson has found a way to excel in race trim, however. In games that limit allocations, it will be safest to give him the weekend off. Hang onto him in keeper leagues.

Martin Truex Jr. posted the quickest 10-lap average in Happy Hour with a 117.521 and had the second-fastest single lap. Conditions in this practice are more indicative of how a driver will run in the race. Truex qualified third for the Toyota Owners 400 and has the perfect combination of factors to lead a lot of laps early. That could be the difference-maker for fantasy owners.

Richmond is prone to long green flag periods. According to televised coverage, Kyle Busch, Blaney, and Jamie McMurray sat one-two-three on this chart with a difference of one-100th of a second separating each car.