2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 – Post-Practice Predictions

2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 Post-Practice Predictions, Picks, Tips and Preview – Favorites and Sleepers to Win Wonderful Pistachios 400: While practice times are generally important at Richmond, this weekend’s race is going to be the most unique in track history. For the first time ever, NASCAR’s playoff format features two wildcard spots that are awarded to the drivers outside the top 10 in points that have the most wins. As a result, there are technically 14 drivers still trying for the final four spots in the playoffs in Saturday’s regular season finale. Expect these drivers to gamble and do whatever it takes to try to win.

2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 – Post-Practice Top 5

1. Jeff Gordon: Gordon put down the fastest lap in the opening session and followed it up with the eighth-fastest lap in Happy Hour. He also put down the top 10-lap average speed in the final session. Coming off a win at Atlanta last weekend, Gordon is in the middle of a serious hot streak. Based on practice, it looks like that should continue this weekend.

2. Jimmie Johnson: Johnson ranked second in the opening session Friday and seventh in the second session. He also posted the second-best 10-lap average speed in Happy Hour. Johnson finished second to his teammate Gordon last weekend, but the three-time Richmond winner would like to reverse that order this weekend.

3. Kyle Busch: The three-time Richmond winner posted the 12th-fastest lap in the first practice, along with the fifth-best average speed. He followed it up with the fourth-fastest lap in Happy Hour, along with the ninth-best average speed. With 11 top-five finishes in 13 starts at RIR and a series-leading 4.9 average finish, Busch should definitely be a contender this weekend.

4. Carl Edwards: After posting the sixth-fastest lap in the first practice, Edwards climbed to the top of the charts in Happy Hour. He is still searching for his first career win at Richmond, but he does have three straight top-10 finishes at the track. Earlier this season, Edwards finished fifth at RIR, and he could improve on that result Saturday night.

5. Clint Bowyer: Bowyer ranked fifth and fourth in the two practice sessions Friday, and he appears primed to add to an already impressive Richmond resume. He has finished outside the top 12 only once at the track, and he has finished sixth in his last two starts. Bowyer is a former winner at RIR, and he could end up sneaking into the playoffs if he returns to Victory Lane this weekend

2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 – Post-Practice Top Sleeper

1. Joey Logano: He didn’t have a fast overall lap, but Logano did show some muscle on long runs. In fact, he posted the best 10-lap average speed in the opening session. Logano has never finished outside the top 20 at Richmond, and he finished a career-best fourth at the track last September. The Joe Gibbs Racing organization has won the last five races at the track, and Logano could extend the streak this weekend.

View the most current vegas betting odds to win the 2011 Wonderful Pistachios 400 for this Saturday, September 10th at Richmond International Speedway.