Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Here is a quick run down of trivial facts and statistics for this weekend’s Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, VA.
Richmond International Raceway History
- October 12, 1946: Driving an open-wheel car, Ted Horn wins the first race at Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds over 1/2-mile dirt track.
- 1955: Paul Sawyer and legendary racer Joe Weatherly buy the property. Track is known as “Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds.
- 1959: The track begins hosting two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events each season and has continued to do so since.
- 1967: Track becomes known as “Virginia State Fairgrounds.
- 1969: Track becomes known as “Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway.
- September 7, 1969: Track is re-measured at .542-mile, a distance that would remain constant until the track was rebuilt to its current .75-mile configuration in 1988. Race length is 462 laps.
- March 11, 1979: Dale Earnhardt makes his debut at Richmond.
- 1988: Track becomes known as “Richmond International Raceway.
- September 11, 1999: Future NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Tony Stewart wins his first ever NASCAR Winston Cup Series race by defeating teammate Bobby Labonte.
- Summer 2003: Improvements for the drivers are made, including SAFER wall barriers, a new infield care center, freshly concreted pit stalls, a centrally located spotter’s stand and a new perimeter racetrack fence.
- September 11, 2004: Jeremy Mayfield wins the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 in dramatic fashion, as he races his way into the top 10 and a berth in the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
- May 6, 2007: Richmond International Raceway hosts its 31st consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sellout, which coincides with the all-new Commonwealth Tower and TORQUE Club. The three-tiered grandstand addition is a hit among fans, giving them an unprecedented view of the Crown Royal Presents The Your Name Here 400 race, which ran a day later than scheduled because of inclement weather.
Track Numbers
- NASCAR Cup Series Races: 104
- Race Winners: 45
- Richard Petty has the most wins of any driver with 13.
Track Records
- Track qualifying record: Dale Earnhardt Jr (129.983 mph, 5-15-04)
- Track race record: Dale Jarrett (109.047 mph, 9-6-97)
Qualifying/Race Data
- 2007 pole winner: Jimmie Johnson (126.298 mph, 21.378 seconds)
- 2007 race winner: Jimmie Johnson (91.813 mph, 9-8-07)
Richmond Race Day Data
- # 26 of 36 (9-6-08)
- Track Size: .75 miles
- Race Length: 400 laps/300 miles
- Banking/Corners: 14 degrees
- Banking/Frontstretch: 8 degrees
- Banking/Backstretch: 2 degrees