Richmond International Raceway

With his eyes focusing on the upcoming “One Last Race to Make the Chase” at Richmond International Raceway, current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader Kevin Harvick said, “You can do whatever you want in the first part of the season. The main objective is to get your cars situated and your team situated and get to where you think you are the most competitive by the last 10 (races).”

The checkered flag flies in the 26^th race of the season at Richmond International Raceway, setting the field for the 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Strong finishes and wins on the “Road to Richmond” place drivers in a position to compete for the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship.

Watch these drivers in this week’s “Race to The Chase”:

Tony Stewart The defending race winner, Stewart sits atop the driver rating (104.5) list this weekend.  Currently ninth in the points standings, Stewart won from the pole last July.  He has a total of three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins at Daytona International Speedway, along with seven top-five and 12 top-10 finishes.

Kyle Busch Not typically a fan favorite, the younger Busch brother has shown much success at Daytona International Speedway.  With one win, four top-fives and four top-10s, you can see why Busch is the second-highest rated driver (100.6); however, his average finish is only 17.6.

Matt Kenseth While Kenseth may be the sixth pick by NASCAR on the “who to watch” list this weekend; he has the third highest driver rating at 93.4. Obviously not as big of a standout as Stewart or Busch, but he does have one win, three top-fives and two top-10 finishes at the Superspeedway.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. When you think Superspeedway, you typically think of the Earnhardts, and this weekend is no different.  With a strong eighth-place finish last weekend in New Hampshire, Earnhardt Jr. jumped to within three points of the cut-off spot for The Chase. With an average finish of 14.9, a good showing this Saturday could vault the fan favorite into the top 12 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings.

When NASCAR returns to Richmond for the doubleheader weekend September 10-11, drivers will have one last shot to be one of the top 12 in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Anything can happen on the “Road to Richmond.” Get your tickets now to see the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers battle “under the lights” in “One Last Race to Make the Chase.” Tickets for the Saturday, September 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race start at $40 and can be purchased by calling the Richmond International Raceway ticket office at 866-455-RACE (7223) or by logging on to www.rir.com. Tickets are also available for Friday night’s Virginia 529 College Savings 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.  Tickets start at $30 and include WRIC-TV8 Pole Qualifying and practice for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, as well as Fas Mart Pole Qualifying and practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Family seating, presented by Virginia 529, is also available.  Designated Family Sections will feature a special price on NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tickets for kids 12 and under.  Kids 12 and under will be admitted at half price in the Family Sections presented by Virginia 529 when accompanied by a paying adult. In addition to the special kids pricing for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and continuing to prohibit alcohol in Family Sections presented by Virginia 529, smoking is also prohibited in those sections.

*** Driver Rating Formula combines the following categories: Wins, Finishes, Top-15 Finishes, Average Running Position While on Lead Lap, Average Speed Under Green, Fastest Lap, Led Most Laps, Lead-Lap Finish. Maximum: 150 points per race.

About Richmond International Raceway:

Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers exciting night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events—two NASCAR Doubleheader weekends, featuring the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series—under the lights on its ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout consistently produces the thrill of side-by-side racing, coupled with high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities (including the new-for-2010 Video Scoring Tower) and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is. For tickets to events at Richmond International Raceway, call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RIRInsider.

- Richmond International Raceway, Press Release

newhampshiremotorspeedway

A variety of grandstand seats, starting at just $39, are available for the first event in “The Race to the Chase 2010,” the LENOX Industrial Tools 301.

“Our 20th anniversary season will be a celebration for the fans,” said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “With a weekend that features four NASCAR races, amazing entertainment, displays, and special events, we offer the best value in sports and entertainment anywhere.”

These seats have been released in time for fans to purchase the perfect holiday gift for family and friends.

To purchase tickets to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway LENOX Industrial Tools 301 weekend, please call our Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931 or visit the speedway online at www.nhms.com.

- New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Press Release