"A three-quarter-mile short track in Virginia's capital, where NASCAR's top series has raced since 1953 and where the Chase, NASCAR's playoff, begins in 2027."
Location: Richmond, Virginia Track Type: Paved D-shaped oval Length: 0.75 miles Surface: Paved Current Layout: Since 1988 (a half-mile track before that) First NASCAR Cup Series Race: April 1953
Quick Answers
How big is Richmond Raceway? It is a 0.75-mile oval shaped like a capital D, a size NASCAR calls a short track. It has had that shape since 1988; before then it was a half-mile track.
Where is Richmond Raceway? In Richmond, Virginia.
When did NASCAR first race at Richmond? In April 1953, when Lee Petty won the first Cup race there, on what was then a half-mile dirt track at the fairgrounds then called the Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds.
Who won at Richmond in 2026? Kaden Honeycutt won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, and Joey Logano won the NASCAR Cup Series race on August 15. The NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series did not race at Richmond in 2026.
When does NASCAR race at Richmond in 2027? September 10 and 11. The Cup race on Saturday night, September 11, opens the Chase, NASCAR's playoff. Full dates are below.
Richmond Raceway Schedule: 2027 NASCAR Dates
| Date | Day | Series |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | Friday | NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series |
| Sep 11 | Saturday | NASCAR Cup Series |
Dates are from NASCAR's 2027 national series schedule. The Truck Series is not scheduled at Richmond in 2027. Race names and start times have not been announced. Confirm at richmondraceway.com before you travel.
Overview
Richmond Raceway is a 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval in Virginia's capital, and one of the short tracks on NASCAR's schedule. NASCAR's top series has raced in Richmond since 1953, first on a half-mile dirt track and, since 1988, on the current three-quarter-mile layout.
The Cup Series raced there once in 2026, on Saturday night, August 15, under the lights, with three races left before the 16-driver Chase field was set. In 2027 the track moves to the front of the postseason: its Cup race on September 11 opens the Chase, the first of 10 playoff races.
The weekend's lineup changes too. The O'Reilly Series, which did not race at Richmond in 2026, is back in 2027, while the Truck Series, which raced there in 2026, is not on the 2027 Richmond schedule.
History
Richmond's NASCAR history began in April 1953, when Lee Petty won the first NASCAR Grand National race there, the series now called the Cup Series. The track was then a half-mile dirt oval at the fairgrounds then called the Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds.
In 1988 the track was rebuilt into the D-shaped, three-quarter-mile layout it uses today.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Lee Petty wins the first Cup race at Richmond, on a half-mile dirt track |
| 1988 | Track rebuilt as a 0.75-mile D-shaped oval |
| 2024 | Austin Dillon wins the August Cup race |
| 2025 | Dillon wins the August Cup race again |
| 2026 | Joey Logano wins the Cup race; the O'Reilly Series does not race at Richmond |
| 2027 | Richmond's Cup race opens the Chase, September 11 |
Key Drivers
Denny Hamlin, five Cup wins at Richmond, his home track. Hamlin is a Virginia native.
The late Kyle Busch, six Cup wins at Richmond.
Austin Dillon, back-to-back Cup wins in August 2024 and August 2025.
Joey Logano, winner of the 2026 Cup race.
Kaden Honeycutt, winner of the 2026 Truck Series race.
2026 at Richmond Raceway
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Black's Tire 250 presented by BTS Rewards (August race weekend): Kaden Honeycutt started second, led 225 of 250 laps and won the first two stages, the segments the race is divided into. He beat Corey Heim by 1.313 seconds in the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota for his second career Truck Series win. Christian Eckes was third.
NASCAR Cup Series, Cook Out 400 (Saturday, August 15): Joey Logano started 10th and won in the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, 0.392 seconds ahead of Chase Briscoe, for his 39th career Cup win and his second of the season. Logano led 95 of 400 laps; Briscoe led the most, 171. Austin Cindric was third, Denny Hamlin fourth and Chase Elliott fifth. Ryan Blaney started first, on the pole, led 88 laps and won the first stage, but finished 13th.