NASCAR 2017 Race 26: Richmond Fed. Auto Parts 400 Schedule, Starting Order and Picks

[dara]

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 begins Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on NBC Sports Network and the NBC Sports app.

The 16-driver playoff field for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be set following this race. If there is no new winner, Chase Elliott, Kenseth and Jamie McMurray would all make the playoffs on points. But if there’s a fresh face in victory lane, one of the three will miss the postseason. Elliott sits 14th on the playoff grid, a mere two points ahead of Kenseth and three points ahead of McMurray.

Here’s how the playoff grid shakes out heading into Saturday night's race:
Martin Truex Jr. (four wins, 52 playoff points),
Kyle Busch (2, 20),
Kyle Larson (3, 18),
Jimmie Johnson (3, 16),
Brad Keselowski (2, 14),
Denny Hamlin (2, 12),
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2, 10),
Kevin Harvick (1, 8),
Ryan Blaney (1, 8),
Kurt Busch (1, 5),
Ryan Newman (1, 5),
Kasey Kahne (1, 5),
Austin Dillon (1, 5),
Chase Elliott (94 points ahead of Clint Bowyer on the cutoff line, 2 playoff points),
Matt Kenseth (+92, 3),
Jamie McMurray (+91, 0).

[dara]

Starting Order:

1. Matt Kenseth
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Kurt Busch
4. Kyle Larson
5. Martin Truex Jr.
6. Kevin Harvick
7. Kyle Busch
8. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
9. Chase Elliott
10. Erik Jones
11. Jamie McMurray
12. Joey Logano
13. Clint Bowyer
14. Ryan Blaney
15. Brad Keselowski
16. Daniel Suarez
17. Kasey Kahne
18. Trevor Bayne
19. Danica Patrick
20. Jimmie Johnson
21. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
22. AJ Allmendinger
23. Aric Almirola
24. Chris Buescher
25. Matt DiBenedetto
26. Paul Menard
27. Ryan Newman
28. Michael McDowell
29. David Ragan
30. Landon Cassill
31. Austin Dillon
32. Ty Dillon
33. Corey LaJoie
34. Gray Gaulding
35. Cole Whitt
36. Reed Sorenson
37. Jeffrey Earnhardt
38. Derrike Cope
39. B.J. McLeod

[dara]

Clint Bowyer is too far behind to sneak in on points. Outside Matt Kenseth who is a good pick to win (but should get in via points) look out for these guys

Erik Jones
Joey Logano
Clint Bowyer

My sentimental hope is that Dale Jr wins.

[crazed 9.6]

nice call dara

Gonna be a good race with these guys needing a win to be in

I gonna give Bowyer a vote for this win :)

[dara]

Overtime... late caution with Truex, Jr far ahead. Erik Jones has a chance.

In the pits, Larson wins the race to the line.

[dara]

Kyle Larson wins under caution after Truex crashes, followed by Joey Logano and Ryan Newman.

Kyle Busch, and Truex, Jr win stages, but #78 already had the regular season wrapped up.

The playoff field didn't change, only the final order at the tail end.