With three of its four NASCAR Cup drivers still trying to claw their way into the 16-driver playoff field, an uptick in performance was very much welcomed and it was quite noticeable on the ¾-mile short track.
Ryan Preece, Kevin Harvick, and Aric Almirola all achieved top-10 finishes. Despite facing a midrace pit road penalty, Almirola managed to secure a commendable position. Unfortunately, Chase Briscoe narrowly missed making it into the top-10, finishing in 11th place.
Throughout the race, Harvick and Preece consistently maintained positions within the top-10. Preece performed exceptionally well, earning points in both stages and ultimately achieving his best finish of the season in fifth place.
Almirola achieved his second-highest position of the year, securing eighth place. Meanwhile, Harvick finished in 10th place, earning his organization’s highest number of top-10 finishes this season with a total of 10.
Briscoe’s performance in 11th place was his second top-11 finish in the last two races. Before that, he had a streak of nine races where he finished 17th or lower.
Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Rush Truck Centers Ford Mustang
Photo by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
“I believe it was a successful day for all of our teams, showing clear progress. I sensed that we had well-performing vehicles that allowed us to take advantage of every opportunity as a collective. Today, it was crucial to have flawless performances and execute everything to the highest standard,” expressed Greg Zipadelli, the chief competition officer at SHR, in an interview with Motorsport.com.
Preece, driving the No. 41 Ford, displayed remarkable performance towards the conclusion of the race, frequently contending for third and second place. A caution towards the end of the race prompted a restart with only three laps remaining out of the 400, presenting a chance for further progress. However, he ultimately finished in fifth position.
Zipadelli expressed his optimism for a positive restart at the end, hoping for potential benefits. Although it slightly affected Ryan, the rest of the guys maintained their positions as they were running.
“I had a good day, put in a strong effort. However, it wasn’t quite enough.”
Confidence entering Richmond
Zipadelli expressed that all individuals at SHR left Richmond with a certain level of confidence. Preece concurred.
He stated that achieving success is simply a consequence of putting in effort. Engaging in idle activities will not lead to the desired outcomes.
“I am aware of this through racing experience, therefore we have been putting in a lot of effort to discover our preferences. We are striving to identify what I enjoy, what Aric enjoys, what Kevin enjoys, and what Chase enjoys. It seems that all of us are moving towards that common direction.”
Four races remain before the playoff field is set. While Harvick is likely set to advance by points if he doesn’t earn a win, a victory is the only shot Preece, Almirola and Briscoe have of moving on.
“We must remain vigilant and meticulous as we approach the upcoming race tracks, as they present unique challenges. Ensuring thorough preparation and attention to every detail is crucial for us to compete alongside the other cars,” Zipadelli acknowledged. “As a team, this has been our Achilles’ heel throughout the year.”
Leave a Reply