# @richmondraceway on YouTube - **Type:** Video - **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=XjcRYvWAe8M - **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/25979770-richmondraceway-youtube - **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/65c592527a.jpg - **Posted:** 2018-09-17T12:43:45.000+00:00 - **Account Owner:** Richmond Raceway (@richmondraceway) — https://gondola.cc/richmondraceway ## Caption Richmond Raceway (Richmond) plays host to its first-ever NASCAR Playoff Race Weekend, presented by Who’s Your Driver, with the Go Bowling 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) Playoff race, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Pole Qualifying, and Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sept. 21-22. The Monster Energy Series race will be the second race of the playoffs and the NXS race will be the first race of their playoffs, and the only playoff race in either series “under the lights.” As the 16 Monster Energy Series Playoff drivers come to the first of two short tracks in the playoffs, Richmond’s ¾-mile D-shaped oval is expected to be as action-packed as ever for the Federated Auto Parts 400. With Toyota drivers winning four of the last six Cup races at the track, including 2018 Monster Energy Series Regular Season Champion Kyle Busch’s TOYOTA OWNERS 400 victory in April, the tandem of Busch, Martin Truex, Jr., Denny Hamlin, and Erik Jones will be contenders to watch. Kyle Larson will also look to defend his 2017 Federated Auto Parts 400 win with a repeat that would take him to the next round of the Playoffs. The NXS will wave the green flag for the first race of their playoffs in the Go Bowling 250 at Richmond. As the top drivers in the NXS compete for the championship, all eyes in Racing Virginia will be on Elliott Sadler of Emporia, Va., who announced his retirement from full-time racing at the end of the NASCAR season. He looks to finish his final season bringing home a NXS championship for JR Motorsports after finishing second each of the last two seasons. Sadler also hopes his final race at Richmond will be his first trip to Gatorade Victory Lane at his home track. Return of Dale Earnhardt Jr. The Go Bowling 250 will also welcome back one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers as Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaves the NBC broadcast booth to return to the track and compete. This will be Earnhardt’s first race since his retirement in 2017, and it could be his last. In an interview last weekend in Indianapolis, Ind., Earnhardt said, “It’s the only time I’m going to race a car this year. And it may be the last time I race a car.” Earnhardt has won seven races at Richmond in his career. Earnhardt has won four NASCAR Xfinity Series races at Richmond with his most recent victory coming in the ToyotaCare 250 in 2016. He is also a three-time Monster Energy Series race winner at Richmond with victories in the Crown Royal 400 in 2006, Chevy American Revolution 400 in 2004, and Pontiac Excitement 400 in 2000. Grand Opening of DC Solar FanGrounds The DC Solar FanGrounds, part of Richmond Raceway Reimagined’s $30 million infield redevelopment project, will host its grand opening over the first-ever NASCAR Playoff Race Weekend. With the official ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Sept. 19, the modernized infield will bring new attractions and enhanced amenities for fans to the modernized infield. New attractions in the DC Solar FanGrounds previously announced, include the Markel Entertainment Plaza, M&M’s Neighborhood, Virginia Tourism Visitor Center, Eternal Fan Pedestrian Tunnel and Fan Memories program, and the all-new Gatorade Victory Lane, which will provide fans the opportunity to be a part of the post-race celebrations. A DC Solar FanGrounds pass also includes Saturday pit access from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., all-new pre-race introductions, and activities before the race with driver appearances including Denny Hamlin, Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez, Clint Bowyer, Ricky Steinhouse Jr., and other interactive programming. One-day ($70) and two-day ($125) tickets are available. For more information on the DC Solar FanGrounds, visit richmondraceway.com/fangrounds. For the full NASCAR Playoff Race Weekend schedule, visit richmondraceway.com/schedule. CLIMAX CORNER Party Deck in Turn 4 The CLIMAX CORNER Party Deck in Turn 4 returns for the Federated Auto Parts 400 race. Tim Smith, CLIMAX SPIRITS founder and personality from the Discovery Channel television series “Moonshiners”, will be back as the race night host in the party deck along with the brand’s Fire Engine No. 32. CLIMAX CORNER is an exclusive experience with tiered viewing, drink rail, and specific benefits to provide the lowest priced ticket at Richmond. Tickets are available exclusively for fans 21 years or older. A ticket includes a non-transferrable commemorative lanyard that will be a fan’s pass to additional benefits in the party deck. Benefits include exclusive access to purchase signature cocktails with CLIMAX SPIRITS as well as rollback concession prices offering between 25% and 50% off of regularly priced menu items. No coolers or outside food and drinks are allowed in the smoke free party deck. Richmond and CLIMAX SPIRITS will continue to donate $1 from each CLIMAX CORNER ticket sold to first responder causes in the greater Richmond region. For more information on CLIMAX CORNER in Turn 4, visit richmondraceway.com/climaxcorner. ## Stats - **Views:** 551 - **Likes:** 5 - **Shares:** 0 - **Comments:** 0 ## Credits These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete. A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator. | Name | Username | Profile | Role | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Richmond Raceway | @richmondraceway | https://gondola.cc/richmondraceway | Venue | | Vaughan Crittenden | @VaughanCrittenden | https://gondola.cc/VaughanCrittenden | Content Producer | | Vaughan Crittenden | @VaughanCrittenden | https://gondola.cc/VaughanCrittenden | Videographer | | Vaughan Crittenden | @VaughanCrittenden | https://gondola.cc/VaughanCrittenden | Video Editor | | Vaughan Crittenden | @VaughanCrittenden | https://gondola.cc/VaughanCrittenden | Digital Creator | --- Copyright (c) Gondola