NASCAR Cup Series

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Ford Fusion, was the fastest car in final practice at Richmond International Raceway Friday afternoon after being in the top-five of the morning session. Edwards met with media members Friday to discuss his start to the weekend and more.

I had hoped to announce the NASCAR Ron Thornton series, but I came up about $200 million short. Instead, the former Busch series and soon to be former Nationwide series shall be the NASCAR Xfinity Series for the next 10 years. Oh, so close.

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 LOWE’S CHEVROLET SS met with media and discussed the teams he thinks are strong contenders to win at Richmond, the challenges of the track for him personally, his view of vying for another championship, the importance of having all four Hendrick teams in the Chase, and more.

Nationwide has expanded its three-year relationship with Hendrick Motorsports to become the majority sponsor of driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 Chevrolet SS team beginning with the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

""Not really. For the last 25 races we've known that if you win you're almost for sure into the Chase. It doesn't really change it, but I'm glad we're in because now we don't have to stress about it Saturday night. Like I said, we've known that for 25 weeks and we've been doing the best we can to try to get a win and finish as high as we can. I feel like we're gaining on our performance a little bit and we've been putting together some good races when we don't get caught up in wrecks or have problems we've been finishing pretty good. "

KYLE LARSON, NO. 42 TARGET CHEVROLET SS, met with members of the media at Richmond International Raceway and discussed making the Chase, his chances at a win Saturday night and many other topics.

NASCAR revised its national series qualifying format for Talladega Superspeedway which, in turn, should elevate the on-track competition for fans at the high speed 2.66-mile track.

We could probably name 50 activities to guarantee a memorable September 5 & 6 NASCAR race weekend at Richmond International Raceway, but we’re paring that list down to the Top 5 things every fan should do while at America’s Premier Short Track for the Federated Auto Parts 400 and Virginia529 College Savings 250 weekend.

It’s the most recognizable trophy in NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants one. The sport’s most popular driver thinks it’s time he added a Martinsville Speedway grandfather clock to his trophy collection.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie Michael Annett will climb aboard his No. 7 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet SS at Richmond International Raceway this weekend.