NASCAR – Heath Calhoun Preview
The May 1st NASCAR Sprint Cup, Crown Royal Heath Calhoun 400, at Richmond, VA is going to be a toss up for a favorite this year.
The race, named this year in honor of Heath Calhoun, a distinguished US Army veteran who is a double amputee because of wounds to his legs, is one of NASCAR’s oldest, having been on the race schedule since 1953. The under the lights race on the .75 mile D-shaped oval is also a favorite with many drivers and also attracts of money through betting online websites.
Denny Hamlin, from near by Chesterfield, VA, will be coming off a April 19th win at Texas and won the 2009 September race at Richmond.
Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson, the Sprint Cup points leader and second at Texas, all have three previous wins at Richmond. Each of them would like nothing better than to become the current NASCAR driver with the most wins at Richmond by adding number four.
Kyle Busch with a strong third place finish at Texas and, last years winner in the May race at Richmond, can never be counted out of contention.
You can also never rule out Jeff Gordon who appeared to be capable of winning at Texas before being taken out of the race in a nine-car sheet metal bender in the closing laps.
Richmond is a short track but a very fast track and is wide open to welcome a first time winner every time the checkered flag is waved.
