2014 Toyota Owners 400
Race details[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Race 9 of 36 in the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Date April 26, 2014 (2014-04-26)
Location Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia
Course Permanent racing facility
0.75 mi (1.2 km)
Distance 400 laps, 300 mi (482.803 km)
Weather Sunny, 78 °F (26 °C), 13 mph (21 km/h) winds WSW
Average speed 93.369 mph (150.263 km/h)[10]
Pole position
Driver Chip Ganassi Racing
Time 21.280 (set by first practice)
Most laps led
Driver Jeff Gordon Hendrick Motorsports
Laps 173
Winner
No. 22 Joey Logano Team Penske
Television in the United States
Network Fox & MRN
Announcers Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip and Larry McReynolds (Television)
Joe Moore and Jeff Striegle (Booth)
Mike Bagley (Backstretch) (Radio)
Nielsen Ratings 3.3/7 (Final)
3.0/7 (Overnight)
5.573 Million viewers[11]

The 2014 Toyota Owners 400 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on April 26, 2014, at Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Contested over 400 laps on the 0.75 miles (1.21 km) D-shaped short track, it was the ninth race of the 2014 Sprint Cup Series championship. Joey Logano recorded his fifth career win in this race. Jeff Gordon finished second, while Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Matt Kenseth rounded out the top five. The top rookies of the race were Kyle Larson (16th), Justin Allgaier (21st), and Austin Dillon (27th).

Previous race

On the final restart of the Bojangles' Southern 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. got an excellent start to get ahead of Kevin Harvick, but Harvick with four tires passed Dale on two and took the victory at Darlington Raceway.[12] “This is the one race I told Rodney (Childers, crew chief) I wanted to win,” said Harvick. “We were able to put it all together, but this is the Southern 500, this is as big as it gets in NASCAR racing. It feels great. It’s allowed us with the way the points system is to go for wins and not have to worry about the bad weeks too much,” he said. “Really proud for these guys and looking forward to the last 10."[12] “It's a little disappointing to come that close because I know I don't really run that well here and the opportunities to win are going to be very few compared to other tracks,” said Earnhardt Jr. “It hurts a little bit to come that close because we worked so hard to try to win races. Running second is great but nobody is going to really remember that. But we're proud of it.”[12] “Yeah, just very happy to finish there in the top three,” said Johnson. “I thought we had a shot at a win. I think if things stayed green after our last pit stop, we had a good chance at it, good shot at it. I'm happy with (crew chief) Chad's (Knaus) decision to go with two, and there were enough cars that took two that it gave us a little bit of a cushion, maybe enough of a cushion to make it four or five laps there.”[12]

Report

Background

Richmond International Raceway, the race track where the race was held.

Richmond International Raceway is a four-turn short track that is 0.75 miles (1.21 km) long. The turns are banked at fourteen degrees. The front stretch is banked at eight degrees and the back stretch is banked at two degrees. Richmond can seat 97,912 people. Kevin Harvick was the defending race winner after winning the event in 2013.

During the time between Darlington and Richmond, Swan Racing announced, on April 17, 2014, that they were closing shop and reevaluating their financial situation and put the team's prospects of competing at Richmond in doubt.[13] "The team has been unable to secure the kind of sponsorship required to effectively operate the team," the team said in a statement. "As a result, the team management is exploring every available option. We hope to be in a position to provide a detailed update in the near future."[14]

On April 23, Swan Racing sold both of its teams to different shops.[15] Anthony Marlowe merged his ownership of the number 26 car with BK Racing and the number 30 car was sold to Xxxtreme Motorsports. Cole Whitt stayed in the number 26 car for Richmond, but Parker Kligerman was not in the number 30 car and was without a ride for the foreseeable future. J. J. Yeley took his place.[16] "I am very relieved to know that the Nos. 26 and 30 teams will be in good hands, and will continue to compete for the remainder of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season," Davis said in a statement. "Most importantly, most of the team members have the opportunity to continue their employment in the sport and to support their families. This was critically important to me."[17]

Entry list

The entry list for the Toyota Owners 400 was released on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 4:16 p.m. Eastern time. Forty-five drivers were entered for the race.

No. Driver Team Manufacturer
1Jamie McMurrayChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
2Brad Keselowski (PC2)Team PenskeFord
3Austin Dillon (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
5Kasey KahneHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
7Michael Annett (R)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
9Marcos AmbroseRichard Petty MotorsportsFord
10Danica PatrickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
13Casey MearsGermain RacingChevrolet
14Tony Stewart (PC3)Stewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
15Clint BowyerMichael Waltrip RacingToyota
16Greg BiffleRoush-Fenway RacingFord
17Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Roush-Fenway RacingFord
18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
20Matt Kenseth (PC5)Joe Gibbs RacingToyota
22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord
23Alex Bowman (R)BK RacingToyota
24Jeff Gordon (PC6)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
26Cole Whitt (R)BK RacingToyota
27Paul MenardRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
30J. J. Yeley (i)Xxxtreme MotorsportsChevrolet
31Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
32Travis KvapilGo FAS RacingFord
33David StremmeCircle SportChevrolet
34David RaganFront Row MotorsportsFord
35David ReutimannFront Row MotorsportsFord
36Reed SorensonTommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
38David GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord
40Landon Cassill (i)Circle SportChevrolet
41Kurt Busch (PC4)Stewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
42Kyle Larson (R)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
43Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord
47A. J. AllmendingerJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
48Jimmie Johnson (PC1)Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
51Justin Allgaier (R)HScott MotorsportsChevrolet
55Brian VickersMichael Waltrip RacingToyota
66Joe Nemechek (i)Michael Waltrip RacingToyota
77Dave BlaneyRandy Humphrey RacingFord
78Martin Truex Jr.Furniture Row RacingChevrolet
83Ryan Truex (R)BK RacingToyota
88Dale Earnhardt Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
95Michael McDowellLeavine Family RacingFord
98Josh WisePhil Parsons RacingChevrolet
99Carl EdwardsRoush-Fenway RacingFord
Official entry list
Key Meaning
(R) Rookie
(i) Ineligible for points
(PC#) Past champions provisional

Practice

First practice

Kyle Larson was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 21.280 and a speed of 126.880 mph (204.194 km/h).

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 42Kyle Larson (R)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet21.280126.880
2 2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord21.396126.192
3 15Clint BowyerMichael Waltrip RacingToyota21.444125.909
Official first practice results

Final practice

Ryan Newman was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 21.733 and a speed of 124.235 mph (199.937 km/h).

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer Time Speed
1 31Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet21.733124.235
2 14Tony StewartStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet21.868123.468
3 88Dale Earnhardt Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet21.875123.429
Official final practice results

Qualifying

Qualifying was rained out so the starting lineup was set by first practice results. Kyle Larson earned his first career pole as a result.[18] “We came here and tested last year for Goodyear and had a good baseline and was pretty confident with our qualifying trim without getting used to the car yet,’’ Larson said. “Then we switched over to race trim and we were good in that, so excited about that.’’[18] Dave Blaney and Michael McDowell failed to qualify for the race.[18]

Starting lineup

Pos No. Driver Team Manufacturer
1 42Kyle Larson (R)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
2 2Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord
3 15Clint BowyerMichael Waltrip RacingToyota
4 5Kasey KahneHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
5 4Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
6 55Brian VickersMichael Waltrip RacingToyota
7 1Jamie McMurrayChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet
8 83Ryan Truex (R)BK RacingToyota
9 27Paul MenardRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
10 48Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
11 9Marcos AmbroseRichard Petty MotorsportsFord
12 20Matt KensethJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
13 88Dale Earnhardt Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
14 47A. J. AllmendingerJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet
15 43Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord
16 99Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway RacingFord
17 22Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord
18 31Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet
19 18Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
20 14Tony StewartStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
21 41Kurt BuschStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
22 78Martin Truex Jr.Furniture Row RacingChevrolet
23 7Michael Annett (R)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
24 23Alex Bowman (R)BK RacingToyota
25 24Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet
26 16Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord
27 3Austin Dillon (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet
28 11Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota
29 17Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Roush Fenway RacingFord
30 35David ReutimannFront Row MotorsportsFord
31 51Justin Allgaier (R)HScott MotorsportsChevrolet
32 32Travis KvapilGo FAS RacingFord
33 38David GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord
34 13Casey MearsGermain RacingChevrolet
35 10Danica PatrickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet
36 36Reed SorensonTommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet
37 34David RaganFront Row MotorsportsFord
38 33David StremmeCircle SportChevrolet
39 98Josh WisePhil Parsons RacingChevrolet
40 26Cole Whitt (R)BK RacingToyota
41 66Joe NemechekMichael Waltrip RacingToyota
42 30J. J. YeleyXxxtreme MotorsportsChevrolet
43 40Landon CassillCircle SportChevrolet
Failed to make the race
95Michael McDowellLeavine Family RacingFord
77Dave BlaneyRandy Humphrey RacingFord
Official starting lineup

Race

Joey Logano won the race.

Kyle Larson led the field to the green at 7:14 p.m., but the field didn't make it to turn 1 before the caution flew on the first lap when Larson drifted down in front of Clint Bowyer before he cleared him and got turned around. To make matters worse, Larson caught the tail end of the field exiting pit road and hit the rear of Landon Cassill but only suffered a minor denting in of the faux grill. While Richmond International Raceway, like Bristol Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, isn't very aero-sensitive, the damage was close enough to the actual grill to cause concern. Brad Keselowski took over the lead as a result.

The race restarted on lap eight and the field made it through the lap with no accident.

Kevin Harvick took the lead on lap 32.

A scheduled competition caution (second of the race) flew on lap 41 because of overnight downpours. Travis Kvapil stayed out to lead a lap before making his stop the next lap and handing the lead back to Harvick.

The race restarted on lap 47.

Keselowski retook the lead on lap 56.

Debris in turn 4 brought out the third caution on lap 99. Landon Cassill stayed out to lead a lap before pitting. Jeff Gordon took over the lead.

The race restarted on lap 107.

Cole Whitt had a right-front tire failure on lap 157 and chunks of burning rubber from his car scattered onto the racing surface past the exit of pit road. This brought out the fourth caution of the race on lap 161. Clint Bowyer had a similar tire failure that caught fire and melted the right-front fender of the car. Gordon and Brad Keselowski swapped the lead with the former being pitted behind the start/finish line. He beat Brad off to resume leading the field.

The race restarted on lap 171.

Brad Keselowski took back the lead on lap 173.

Jeff Gordon reclaimed the top spot on lap 209.

The fifth caution of the race flew on lap 226 after Reed Sorenson cut down his right-front tire and missed the entrance to pit road. Gordon swapped the lead on pit road with Joey Logano, but came out the leader.

The race restarted on lap 239.

Joey Logano took back the lead on lap 243.

Jeff Gordon took back the lead on lap 252.

The sixth caution of the race flew on lap 296 after Ricky Stenhouse Jr. had a right-front tire failure that caught fire after hitting the wall in turn 4. Gordon swapped the lead on pit road with his teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr., but this time, Jeff Gordon got beat off pit road.

The race restarted with 96 laps to go.

Joey Logano retook the lead with 95 laps to go.

As is the case with short track races, drivers start becoming agitated and more aggressive in the closing stages of the race. Marcos Ambrose found himself being hit from behind on multiple occasions.

Jeff Gordon took back the lead with 63 laps to go.

Matt Kenseth took the lead with 39 laps to go.

Debris in turn 3 brought out the seventh caution of the race with 33 laps to go.

The race restarted with 24 laps to go and the caution flew for the eighth time after Kyle Busch turned into Justin Allgaier and then into his teammate Denny Hamlin to send him spinning in turn 3.

The race restarted with 18 laps to go and Joey Logano got a terrible restart that caused him to hold up the inside line.

The ninth caution of the race flew with 16 laps to go after J. J. Yeley blew his engine in turn 1.

The race restarted with nine laps to go. Matt Kenseth couldn't stave off the two car challenge for the lead with Jeff Gordon and Brad Keselowski. Gordon got into the rear of Keselowski and this allowed Joey Logano to get back to the lead. He built an insurmountable lead with three laps to go over Jeff Gordon to score the victory.[19] "It feels great,” said Logano. “I want to start winning some races in the Chase now. These cars right now are so good and (Team) Penske is doing such a great job with these cars right now. I am just the lucky guy that gets to drive these things."[19] "I had a blast tonight," said Gordon, who remained on top of the point standings. "Great short-track racing here at Richmond. And to have a race car like that to drive from 25th up to the front was so much fun."[19]

Post-race

Brad Keselowski was not happy with Matt Kenseth and showed his displeasure during the cool down lap when he brake-checked Matt.[20] Dale Earnhardt Jr. tried to rundown Keselowski after he ran into Kenseth because of Brad, but was stopped by an official and directed to the garage area while Brad continued to the top five impound area on pit road.[20] “Yeah it was a wild finish,” said Keselowski, who confronted Kenseth on pit road after the race. “It just came down to really a four way battle between the 2 (Keselowski), the 20 (Kenseth), the 24 (Gordon) and 22 (Logano) and we had a great car for the short runs and we got up there challenging for the lead. The 20 car ran me off the race track so I made sure to give him a bump and that was what Joey needed to win the race. I had a shot at winning the race and he ran me off the track. It was just a mind-boggling move to me. ... I thought it was uncalled for."[20]

The tempers didn't end on pit road. In the garage area, Casey Mears had got in a scuffle with Marcos Ambrose which ended with the latter appearing to punch the former in the face; Ambrose was fined $25,000 and Mears $15,000 (and put into probation until May 28) for the fight.[21]

Race results

Pos Grid No. Driver Team Manufacturer Laps Points
1 1722Joey LoganoTeam PenskeFord40047
2 2524Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet40044
3 1918Kyle BuschJoe Gibbs RacingToyota40041
4 22Brad KeselowskiTeam PenskeFord40041
5 1220Matt KensethJoe Gibbs RacingToyota40040
6 1447A. J. AllmendingerJTG Daugherty RacingChevrolet40038
7 1388Dale Earnhardt Jr.Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet40038
8 1831Ryan NewmanRichard Childress RacingChevrolet40036
9 1699Carl EdwardsRoush Fenway RacingFord40035
10 2278Martin Truex Jr.Furniture Row RacingChevrolet40034
11 54Kevin HarvickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet40034
12 655Brian VickersMichael Waltrip RacingToyota40032
13 71Jamie McMurrayChip Ganassi RacingChevrolet40031
14 45Kasey KahneHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet40030
15 2616Greg BiffleRoush Fenway RacingFord40029
16 142Kyle Larson (R)Chip Ganassi RacingChevrolet40028
17 1543Aric AlmirolaRichard Petty MotorsportsFord40027
18 119Marcos AmbroseRichard Petty MotorsportsFord40026
19 3413Casey MearsGermain RacingChevrolet40025
20 3338David GillilandFront Row MotorsportsFord40024
21 3151Justin Allgaier (R)HScott MotorsportsChevrolet40023
22 2811Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingToyota40022
23 2141Kurt BuschStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet40021
24 927Paul MenardRichard Childress RacingChevrolet40020
25 2014Tony StewartStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet39919
26 4340Landon CassillCircle SportChevrolet3980
27 273Austin Dillon (R)Richard Childress RacingChevrolet39817
28 2423Alex Bowman (R)BK RacingToyota39816
29 3035David ReutimannFront Row MotorsportsFord39715
30 3734David RaganFront Row MotorsportsFord39614
31 883Ryan Truex (R)BK RacingToyota39613
32 1048Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet39612
33 277Michael Annett (R)Tommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet39611
34 3510Danica PatrickStewart-Haas RacingChevrolet39510
35 3833David StremmeCircle SportChevrolet3959
36 3232Travis KvapilGo FAS RacingFord3949
37 4166Joe NemechekMichael Waltrip RacingToyota3910
38 2917Ricky Stenhouse Jr.Roush Fenway RacingFord3906
39 3998Josh WisePhil Parsons RacingChevrolet3905
40 4230J. J. YeleyXxxtreme MotorsportsChevrolet3800
41 4026Cole Whitt (R)BK RacingToyota3673
42 3636Reed SorensonTommy Baldwin RacingChevrolet2552
43 315Clint BowyerMichael Waltrip RacingToyota1591

Race statistics

  • Lead changes: 20 among different drivers
  • Cautions/Laps: 9 for 66
  • Red flags: 0
  • Time of race: 3 hours, 12 minutes and 47 seconds
  • Average speed: 93.369 miles per hour (150.263 km/h)

Media

Television

Fox Sports
Booth announcersPit reporters
Lap-by-lap: Mike Joy
Color-commentator: Larry McReynolds
Color commentator: Darrell Waltrip
Matt Yocum
Steve Byrnes
Krista Voda
Jeff Hammond

Radio

MRN Radio
Booth announcersTurn announcersPit reporters
Lead announcer: Joe Moore
Announcer: Jeff Striegle
Backstretch: Mike BagleyWinston Kelly
Steve Post
Alex Hayden
Woody Cain

Standings after the race

References

  1. "Richmond International Raceway (NASCAR)". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. 2013. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  2. "Richmond International Raceway (MRN)". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  3. "Entry List" (PDF). jayski.com. NASCAR Statistics. April 21, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  4. "First Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  5. "Final Practice Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  6. "Starting Lineup". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. April 25, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. "Toyota Owners 400 Results". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. April 26, 2014. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  8. "Points Standings" (PDF). jayski.com. NASCAR Statistics. April 26, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 14, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  9. "Manufacturer Standings" (PDF). jayski.com. NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications. April 26, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  10. "Race Statistics". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. April 26, 2014. Archived from the original on April 27, 2014. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
  11. Karp, Austin (May 2, 2014). "Final Ratings: "Sunday Night Baseball" Up Early, While MLB Net Has Record April". SportsBusinessDaily.com. American City Business Journals. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Pistone, Pete (April 12, 2014). "Harvick Doubles Up at Darlington". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  13. Pistone, Pete (April 17, 2014). "Swan Racing's Future Uncertain". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on April 21, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  14. Bruce, Kenny (April 17, 2014). "Swan Racing 'reviewing its current situation'". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  15. "Swan keeps Parker Kligerman". ESPN.com. The Associated Press. April 23, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  16. Pistone, Pete (April 23, 2014). "Swan Racing Restructures". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  17. Caraviello, David (April 23, 2014). "Swan breakup leaves Kligerman without ride". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group, LLC. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  18. 1 2 3 Long, Dustin (April 25, 2014). "Richmond Qualifying Washed Out". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2014.
  19. 1 2 3 Pistone, Pete (April 26, 2014). "Logano Wins Richmond Battle". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on May 14, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 Long, Dustin (April 27, 2014). "Kenseth, Keselowski Not Happy With Each Other". MRN.com. Motor Racing Network. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  21. Gluck, Jeff (April 29, 2014). "NASCAR fines Ambrose, Mears for Richmond altercation". USA Today Sports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
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