NASCAR Cup Series 2021 Toyota Owners 400 Race at Richmond: Preview and Prediction

Martin Truex Jr. became the first driver to win his second race in the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season, last weekend at Martinsville Speedway. The Joe Gibbs Racing star has a big chance to make it three wins in the first nine races in 2021, as the Cup field visits Richmond Raceway for the Toyota Owners 400 on Sunday.

Last week’s win already propels Martin Truex Jr. to pole position at a track where he has a supreme record off late. Truex Jr. has four consecutive top-3 finishes at Richmond, with two of those being victories. That sets things up very nicely for a driver carrying great confidence this season.

Denny Hamlin once again has front-row honors as he continued his staggering consistency this season, at Martinsville. Another top-5 finish, though, meant Hamlin extended his points lead but is still winless.

The home-town hero has two wins at Richmond and has a host of top-5 finishes since the 2016 win. With the kind of form he is in, Hamlin will look to get the playoff-securing win at his home track.

Can Kyle Busch keep up his fantastic NASCAR Cup Series record at Richmond?

Kyle Busch has won just a single race since the start of the 2020 season. However, the two-time champ has done enough over the years to be a regular contender and there is no doubt about the same, especially at Richmond.

Busch has as many as six wins at Richmond, with two back-to-back wins in 2018. ‘Rowdy’ has six straight finishes inside the top-10 there, which includes two wins and another top-3 finish.

One driver who will certainly fancy his chances at Richmond is Brad Keselowski. The Team Penske former Cup champ won the 2020 playoff race there and has four straight top-10s. While Keselowski starts lower in the starting order (20th), he can certainly pick up the spots quickly at Richmond.

One of the biggest surprises so far in 2021 has been Kevin Harvick’s form. Harvick has been way off his pace and Richmond comes at the right time for him. Harvick has six top-5s in his nine races there, but more importantly, has three wins overall. He also starts Sunday’s race inside the top-10.

Can Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott give Hendrick the win?

On the other hand, Kyle Larson has been brilliant this season. Larson has really picked up the race at Richmond in recent years and one of his six wins in the no. 42 car came there. Now stronger in the Hendrick no. 5 car, Larson will look to get his second win in 2021 on Sunday.

His teammate Chase Elliott is a contender wherever he goes, being the reigning Cup champ. However, Richmond hasn’t been his best tracks, despite three top-5s in his last five races.

Joey Logano has an up and down record at Richmond, but with two wins there and already a winner in 2021, Logano will be upbeat about Sunday’s race.

Who will win the 2021 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond?

Richmond is a track where you can never really have an outright favorite and things can change very quickly. However, based on current form and momentum, and how things have gone so far, we might just see Martin Truex Jr. win yet again.

Prediction: Martin Truex Jr. to win the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway.

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