2017 Federated Auto Parts 400

The 2017 Federated Auto Parts 400, was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on September 9, 2017 at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Contested over 403 laps -- extended from 400 laps due to an overtime finish, on the .75 mi D-shaped short track, it was the 26th race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, and the final race of the regular season before the playoffs.

Background
Richmond Raceway (RR), formerly known as Richmond International Raceway (RIR), is a 3/4-mile (1.2 km), D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Xfinity Series. Known as "America's premier short track", it formerly hosted a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, an IndyCar Series race and two USAC sprint car races.

First practice
Matt Kenseth was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 22.333 seconds and a speed of 120.897 mph.

Final practice
Kyle Larson was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 22.456 seconds and a speed of 120.235 mph.

Qualifying
Matt Kenseth scored the pole for the race with a time of 22.055 and a speed of 122.421 mph.

Start
Matt Kenseth started a race from the pole position, The night began with a four wide parade lap salute to the fans at Richmond Raceway. Pre-race anticipation reached new heights for the drivers without a qualifying win to lock up a playoff spot, Landon Cassill brought out the first caution when his right rear tire went down and he careened into the outside wall between Turns 1 and 2 on Lap 34. Cassill was treated and released from the infield care center, One of the strangest incidents of the year occurred as the field came to pit road. An ambulance exiting the infield suddenly stopped just before the entrance to the pits. Driver’s running on the apron of the track to enter the pits suddenly had to swerve to dodge the emergency vehicle. The line of cars stacked up and several were forced outside of the legal commitment zone.

NASCAR levied a questionable caution flag on Lap 87 as smoke started to come out of Kenseth's No. 20 Toyota. But Kenseth just appeared to lock up his breaks, and he reported no issue over his radio. NASCAR may have been worried about fluid on the race track

Kyle Busch won the opening stage after taking the lead on a late restart. Kyle Larson was second, followed by Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, Erik Jones, Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott and Kurt Busch. Kenseth, who started on the pole, led 89 laps in the stage until losing the lead on pit stops. The third caution flag flew on lap 102 for conclusion of the first stage.

When the race returned to green, the drivers who stayed out fell back, and Kyle Busch moved into the lead. Busch momentarily gave up the lead when Ryan Newman elected to stay out during the caution between the first two stages, but when the race restarted, Busch retook the top spot.

Kyle Busch won the opening stage after taking the lead on a late restart. Larson was second, followed by Clint Bowyer, Matt Kenseth, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano, Erik Jones, Kevin Harvick, Chase Elliott and Kurt Busch. Kenseth, who started on the pole, led 89 laps in the stage until losing the lead on pit stops.

Stage 2
Martin Truex Jr. led the final 46 laps in Stage 2 after overtaking Kyle Busch, the Stage 1 winner, on Lap 154.

Other drivers searching for a last-minute win to make the playoffs moved up in Stage 2, including Joey Logano, who finished fourth, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in seventh.

Matt Kenseth, the pole-sitter for Saturday’s regular-season finale, finished second, followed by Truex’s teammate Erik Jones in the No. 77 Toyota. Kenseth entered Saturday night with a playoff cushion, but a new winner like Jones would be among the scenarios that could put Kenseth’s spot in jeopardy.

Martin Truex Jr. won his 17th stage this season, pulling away on the long green flag run. Matt Kenseth finished second, Erik Jones third, Joey Logano fourth and Brad Keselowski fifth. Kyle Larson was sixth, Dale Earnhardt Jr. seventh, Kurt Busch eighth, Ryan Newman ninth and Kyle Busch 10th.

Final stage
Others were not so fortunate, including Matt Kenseth, who slammed into the rear of Clint Bowyer coming down pit road. Kenseth, who was just inside the playoff bubble, suffered possible radiator damage and was forced to bring his car behind the wall. His No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing crew worked furiously to repair the car, but he was forced to retire from the race with 132 laps remaining. "We were all just kind of coming to pit road and I saw an ambulance sitting there," Kenseth said. "And there was an accordion effect, and I just couldn't get stopped. I don't know why that ambulance was just sitting there."

NASCAR waived any penalties that would have been issued as a result of the commitment violations. The ambulance driver had not followed NASCAR race control instructions and should not have been in a position to impact the race. Unfortunately, the incident had a significant bearing on Matt Kenseth’s night. Kenseth led for most of Stage One and remained near the front all night. His strategy to at least finish ahead of the other two points contender would put him in the playoffs.

Danica Patrick brought out the fifth caution on Lap 255 when she spun out after Austin Dillon made contact with her rear tire. Then, chaos reigned on the ensuing pit stop when a safety vehicle stopped on the apron near the entrance to pit road, forcing some cars to go outside the commitment line to avoid the ambulance.

Finish
Erik Jones, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Joey Logano all challenged at the front of the field coming to the final laps. But, Truex’s dominance snuffed out every potential contender. Until three laps from the finish Derrike Cope brushed the wall and brought out the caution.

Overtime
Everyone on the lead lap came to pit road for tires. Exiting the pits three driver’s needing a win lined up in the top 10. Erik Jones restarted fifth, Daniel Suárez seventh, and Logano 10th. Jones had driven into the top 5 repeatedly and looked to have the best chance at grabbing a win if trouble struck the leaders. As the final green flag dropped Jones missed a gear and jumbled the front of the pack.

Kyle Larson, first out of the pits, jumped to the lead. Denny Hamlin tangled with Truex, sending the 78 into the wall and securing the win for Kyle Larson. Joey Logano weaved his way through traffic and finished second. But still out of the playoffs. Kurt Busch finished in fourth. the Fords of Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick finished 11th and 15th.

Playoff standings
With all 16 playoff positions locked in, here is what the standings will look like heading into Chicagoland Speedway for the first race in the round of 16.

Stage results
Stage 1 Laps: 100

Stage 2 Laps: 100

Final stage results
Stage 3 Laps: 204

Race statistics

 * Lead changes: 7 among different drivers
 * Cautions/Laps: 7 for 38
 * Red flags: 0
 * Time of race: 3 hours, 2 minutes and 52 seconds
 * Average speed: 99.417 mph

Television
NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race.

Radio
The Motor Racing Network had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

Standings after the race

 * Drivers' Championship standings after Playoffs reset


 * Manufacturers' Championship standings
 * Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.