NASCAR Cup Series

Martin Truex Jr. topped the chart in first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice at Richmond International Raceway.

Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion, enters Sundays race at Richmond International Raceway in the top-10 for driver points and as one of the hot young names in the sport. Blaney spoke about increased expectations, especially in the light of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement announcement this week.

RYAN BLANEY (No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion) -- Qualified 2nd "This year we are improving round to round. It is just communication and knowing what we need to change in our car. That is something to be proud of."

RYAN BLANEY (No. 21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Ford Fusion) -- This year has been a big jump for us as a whole team as far as getting along well together and communicating and having fast cars. That has definitely been a lot of fun. It is fun regardless to be with the Wood Brothers but when you are fast it makes it a little extra.

While Earnhardt's statistics at Richmond are noteworthy, his impact on NASCAR has been immeasurable. His humble and genuine demeanor has endeared him to a nation of fans who have watched him emerge from his father's shadow to become an icon in the sport.

Will the retirement mark the end of NASCAR? Of course not. We may see a shift of loyalties (mostly to another driver at Hendrick Motorsports, maybe Chase Elliott) and some fans staying away, but just as was the case when other drivers retired, I don’t think this change will really change the landscape of the sport.

NASCAR travels to Richmond International Raceway this weekend for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 and the NASCAR XFINITY Series ToyotaCare 250. The XFINITY race will be broadcast on FS1 at 1 p.m. and the Cup Series event will be televised on FOX at 2 p.m.

One day they are going to make that movie. It will feature a young Dale Earnhardt Jr. growing up in the shadow of his legendary father. We will see his daddy’s pride as his namesake begins his racing career. That first Tier II win at Texas in 1998. The two Tier II titles that came that year, and the next.

Roush Fenway Racing returns to Richmond International Raceway for the first time in the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) season, a track that has seen a Roush Fenway Ford visit victory lane on 15 previous occasions across NASCAR’s three major touring series.

A track where the No. 43 Smithfield Ford team found success in the past, Aric Almirola and his team look to turn the season around at Richmond International Raceway. Last weekend, they battled the short track at Bristol and on-track contact relegated the team to a 22nd-place finish. This weekend, they look to finish up front and move back up in the Championship Point Standings. They are currently 19th.