Richmond II: Dodge Motorsports preview

DODGE AT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

* Kasey Kahne is currently 96 points ahead of 13th place. He clinches a spot in the Chase if he finishes 21st or better or 23rd or better and leads a lap.

* Kurt Busch is currently 95 points ahead of 13th place and clinches a spot in the Chase if he finishes 20th or better or 22nd or better and leads a lap.

* Dodge has 17 wins at Richmond including three since the manufacturer returned to NASCAR's premier series in 2001.

* Kasey Kahne won from the pole in the 2005 spring event at Richmond, his first Sprint Cup victory.

* Lee Petty drove a Dodge to victory in the first NASCAR race at Richmond in1953; a 200-lap event on what was then a .5-mile dirt track.

* Dodge winners at Richmond include Lee Petty, Buck Baker, David Pearson, Cotton Owens, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Dave Marcis, Neil Bonnett, Ryan Newman, Jeremy Mayfield and Kasey Kahne.

DODGE DRIVER NOTES & ANECDOTES

* Kasey Kahne has competed in 11 races at Richmond scoring one victory (May 2005) and five top-10 finishes.

* Kurt Busch has competed in 17 races at Richmond, scoring one victory (Sept. 2005) and five top-10 finishes.

* Sam Hornish Jr. has six top 10s in his sophomore season in the Sprint Cup Series.

* Elliott Sadler's career-best RIR finish is seventh (2005)

* David Stremme made his 100th NSCS start last weekend in Atlanta.

* Reed Sorenson has an average finishing position of 21.1 at RIR.

* AJ Allmendinger is making his sixth Sprint Cup start at RIR this weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

* Kasey Kahne climbed five positions from 11th to sixth in the point standings with his win last weekend in Atlanta.

* Both Kurt Busch and Kasey Kahne have finished 15th or better in 16 of the 25 races in 2009.

* Kasey Kahne has led 249 laps at Richmond

* Kurt Busch has scored top-10 finishes in three of his last five races at RIR.

* Kurt Busch has an average finishing position of 18.71 at RIR.

* Kasey Kahne has an average finishing position of 18.55.

* Richard Petty is the youngest driver to win a Cup race at Richmond, doing so on April 21, 1961. He was 23 years, 9 months, 21 days. He totaled 13 wins in 63 Richmond starts.

* Friday's Nationwide Series event at RIR will be the second NASCAR race that's fallen on Sept. 11; the first was a Sprint Cup race at Richmond in 2004.

* Sam Hornish Jr. was the highest-finishing Dodge at the spring event at RIR. He finished sixth.

DODGE DRIVERS:

Kasey Kahne, No. 9 Budweiser Dodge

"Well I heard a lot of people say that they counted myself or the 9 team out from making the Chase. Maybe after Atlanta, we changed a few people's minds. Other than a race here or there, we have been pretty consistent so I am really not sure why that was. We missed the setup at Bristol and maybe that's why, but we will just head to Richmond and race our race. The pit stops have been awesome and the overall communication between everyone on the Budweiser Team has been great."

Kurt Busch, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge

"The overwhelming attitude for a lot of teams will be to do whatever it takes to win there on Saturday night. We're still in that group looking to clinch a Chase spot , so we'll have to continuously be looking at the points situation throughout the race. Hopefully we can put ourselves in a position up front to really go after a win at the end of the race."

Pat Tryson, Crew Chief, No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge

We're confident that this (new Penske PRS-611) car will be a stronger car and we're also confident that we'll be smarter with our setup and adjustments this time around. The bottom line is that we're doing all we can to clinch a spot in the Chase, get us a win there on Saturday night, get the bonus points and ride that wave on into the Chase."

David Stremme, No. 12 Penske Dodge Charger

"Richmond is a great track. It is a short track, but you don't have to root and gauge your way to the front. There are two racing grooves and plenty of room to pass. Richmond is a great place for the fans. It reminds me of the Saturday night races back home. You can feel the electricity and excitement from the fans.

"[Crew chief] Roy [McCauley] has been working hard on the car for Richmond. We have really improved every aspect of our program, and I credit it to all the teams at Penske Racing working collectively to make all three cars faster. We have built some momentum with the No. 12 team the last couple of weeks and we want to end the 2009 season on a strong note. We just need to continue to work every week to get the best finish we can."

Roy McCauley, Crew Chief, No. 12 Penske Dodge Charger

"Richmond International Raceway is a wide track so you can pass, unlike some of the other short tracks we go to. It is crucial to not use up the brakes early in the race as they are vital. You carry a lot of speed into the corners and you need to be able to get the car slowed, pointed and get back on the gas early to have a competitive car. It is a great track for the fans as well as the competitors and I am looking forward to Saturday night. "

Sam Hornish Jr., No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger

"I've always enjoyed racing at Richmond International Raceway and have been able to find success there in both the IndyCar Series as well as in NASCAR. Earlier this year, the Mobil 1 team earned its second top-10 finish of the season at Richmond and we are all excited to return and hopefully race for a similar result. Richmond is a multi-groove racetrack and that makes for exciting racing for drivers and fans alike. Patience is key at short tracks; you have to put yourself in position to be there at the end of race when it matters most."

Travis Geisler, Crew Chief, No. 77 Mobil 1 Dodge Charger

"Richmond International Raceway is always exciting with the constant two-wide and three-wide racing. It's always a good show and a definite fan favorite. As always, tire wear and brakes will be a key factor to having a successful race at Richmond. Track position is also very important, as is keeping your driver and team focused and patient. The goal is to have yourself in a good position to race at the end."

Elliott Sadler, No. 19 Insignia/Best Buy Dodge Charger

"The Richmond race in the fall is a huge race for everyone. Teams are all jockeying for position and trying to get in the Chase. The No. 19 Dodge is out of contention for a spot, but we're still doing everything we can to help the No. 9 team get into the Chase. The win at Atlanta was big for the RPM team and now to get a Petty car into the Chase would really be special. We'll all be sharing information and doing our part to help the No. 9 this week."

-credit: dodge motorsports