Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders Preview and Best Bet

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs continue this weekend and the oddsmakers have released their odds for Saturday evening's upcoming race. There are promising driver match-ups and driver futures to consider for this race that you can bet at your favorite sports betting site.

Read ahead for all the information that you'll need to know for the race and for analysis of how you should approach the race from a betting perspective.

NASCAR Cup Series: Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders

Saturday, September 11, 2021 - 7:30 PM EDT at Richmond Raceway

Playoff Update

We are still in the Round of 16. This next race will be the second race of this round. There are three total races for the Round of 16. After this round, four drivers will be eliminated.

So far, Denny Hamlin is the only one who has clinched his spot in the next round because he won the last race, which was the first race of the playoffs. Therefore, we won't be investing in Hamlin since he must have less motivation.

https://twitter.com/RichmondRaceway/status/1435590007486619649?s=20

Race Info

For Saturday's competition in Richmond, drivers must complete a total of 400 laps. As is usually the case, there will be three stages for this event.

Stage 1: First 80 laps.Stage 2: Next 235 laps.Stage 3: Last 165 laps.

An entry list has already been published for this event. There are 37 drivers/teams listed on it. So barring any unforeseen circumstances, we already know who will participate in this race.

The starting lineup gets published every Wednesday morning. NASCAR drivers are already quite familiar with the racetrack at Richmond (technically just outside of Richmond). This familiarity removes the need for qualifying or practice to take place. Instead, a predetermined formula will determine who starts in what position.

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Track Info

Richmond International Raceway has great appeal for all NASCAR fans, but it may also have more appeal to the casual observer. This appeal derives from two aspects of this track: one, it is short and, two, it is fast.

Richmond's track is unique because it is rather short but races like a superspeedway. This track, therefore, contains the best of both worlds that a casual observer will be entertained by. The reason for this unique combination -- short track and fast speeds -- is the D-shape of the track. A unique track shape creates unique results.

This track may be fun for spectators, but it can be a difficult one for drivers. Cars rather easily lose their handling ability at this track.

Aric Almirola #10 drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 on September 05, 2021. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images/AFP

Drivers need to make good use of their experience at Richmond in order to maintain traction, especially when navigating Richmond's funky corners. Handling is all the more important in view of the increased risk of tire degradation, which could prompt the need for more pit stops.

Each lap in Richmond requires .75 miles. So in completing 400 laps, drivers will have accumulated 300 miles. There is a moderate degree of banking here: the turns are banked at 14 degrees, the backstretch at a relatively solid eight degrees, and the front stretch at two degrees.

https://twitter.com/RichmondRaceway/status/1431243003763494918?s=20

Drivers To Avoid

Be sure to avoid investing in Kurt Busch. His current spot in the standings may make him seem like a strong candidate in general. However, his history at this track is awful. He has finished outside the top 10 in each of his last six tries.

Because he consistently performs poorly here, his average finishing position at Richmond is 15.25.

Consistency is an important trait to consider because it provides a historically well-supported window into the future. Busch's consistent failures in Richmond make him worth going against in match-up betting.

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My Guy

For match-ups, I like Aric Almirola over Kurt Busch because Almirola is historically more capable of finishing Top 10 here.

Richmond is one of Almirola's stronger tracks based on average finishing position.

The Pick

Almirola will also have more urgency as, based on his spot in the standings, he is really in need of a good performance -- especially after his silly effort last week.

For the above reasons, invest in Almirola to finish ahead of Kurt Busch for your NASCAR Picks.

NASCAR Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.