RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart both seemed to be on edge Friday at Richmond International Raceway.
The two drivers are ranked ninth and 10th in the standings, and need decent runs Saturday night to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
Denny Hamlin was a direct contrast.
Hamlin is ranked 12th in points, but in position to claim a wild-card berth into the Chase. He’s totally at ease because he loves Richmond, which is his home track.
Hamlin is the two-time defending race winner, and has an average finish of 7.45. He’s also led 1,188 laps in his 11 career starts at Richmond.