NASCAR at Richmond: Playoff scenarios, TV schedule, qualifying drivers for final regular-season race

While NASCAR and its fans are still coming to terms with Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving the sport, there's still one final chance he goes out on top and it all comes down to winning at Richmond Saturday night to qualify for the playoffs.

Luckily for NASCAR's most popular driver, he's won at Richmond three times, most recently in 2015.

Richmond is 0.25 miles longer than Bristol and Martinsville, but NASCAR still categorizes it as a short track. It's actually most similar to Phoenix's one-mile flat track and it's no surprise drivers who've had success at Phoenix — including Earnhardt — have been contenders at Richmond.

The 16-driver playoff field for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be set following this race. Just three points separate the trio of drivers currently holding on to the final postseason slots.

If there is no new winner, Chase Elliott, Matt Kenseth and Jamie McMurray would all make the playoffs on points. But if there’s a fresh face in victory lane, one of the three will miss the postseason. Elliott sits 14th on the playoff grid, a mere two points ahead of Kenseth and three points ahead of McMurray.

Here’s how the playoff grid shakes out now after Denny Hamlin's win at Darlington:

Martin Truex Jr. (four wins, 52 playoff points), Kyle Busch (2, 20), Kyle Larson (3, 18), Jimmie Johnson (3, 16), Brad Keselowski (2, 14), Hamlin (2, 12), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (2, 10), Kevin Harvick (1, 8), Ryan Blaney (1, 8), Kurt Busch (1, 5), Ryan Newman (1, 5), Kasey Kahne (1, 5), Austin Dillon (1, 5), Chase Elliott (94 points ahead of Clint Bowyer on the cutoff line, 2 playoff points), Matt Kenseth (+92, 3), Jamie McMurray (+91, 0).

NASCAR at Richmond schedule, TV channel info

(All times ET)

Friday, Sept. 8

8-9:55 a.m.: Xfinity Series practice, NBC Sports App 10-10:55 a.m.: Cup Series practice, NBCSN 12-1:25 p.m.: Cup Series final practice, NBCSN 4:15 p.m.: Xfinity Series qualifying, NBCSN 5:45 p.m.: Cup Series qualifying, NBCSN 7:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Virginia529 College Savings 250 (250 laps, 187.5 miles), NBCSN

What time does the NASCAR race at Richmond start?

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 begins Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC Sports Network and the NBC Sports app.

What are the stage lengths for NASCAR at Richmond?

The Federated Auto Parts 400, which is 400 laps (300 miles) will be broken into three stages. Stage 1 ends on Lap 100, Stage 2 ends on Lap 200 and the final stage ends on Lap 400.

The Xfinity Series race at Richmond will be broken into three stages: Lap 75, Lap 150 and Lap 250.

Which NASCAR drivers are racing at Richmond?

Only 39 Cup drivers will be racing in the Federated Auto Parts 400, meaning all drivers will make the race with their starting position determined in qualifying Friday.

Here is the list of participating Cup drivers in alphabetical order:

AJ Allmendinger Aric Almirola Austin Dillon Brad Keselowski Chase Elliott Chris Buescher Clint Bowyer Cole Whitt Corey LaJoie Dale Earnhardt Jr. Danica Patrick Daniel Suarez David Ragan Denny Hamlin Derrike Cope Erik Jones Gray Gaulding Jamie McMurray Jeffrey Earnhardt Jimmie Johnson Joey Logano Kasey Kahne Kevin Harvick Kurt Busch Kyle Busch Kyle Larson Landon Cassill Martin Truex Jr. Matt DiBenedetto Matt Kenseth Michael McDowell Paul Menard Reed Sorenson Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Ryan Blaney Ryan Newman TBA Trevor Bayne Ty Dillon