It was Brain Scott’s race to lose. The Virginia 529 College Savings 250 (NASCAR Nationwide Series) started off at Richmond International Raceway with Scott on the pole and off to lead it against all challengers.
He did. Up to the last 10 laps. He held off challenges and restarts. Each time, Brian Scott managed to take the #2 Shore Lodge Chevy away from the front into clean air, through lap traffic and even out of the pits.
Sometimes, Richmond throws a curve from left field and shakes things up. Keselowski grabbed an edge on the lead on a restart with 10 to go and before Scott had even a change at racing the inside another spin back in the pack brought out another caution. Keselowski now had the inside groove on the final restart and shot out front leaving Scott to fall in the line behind him.
At the Checkers, it was Brad Keselowski on the win with Scott, Regan Smith, Kyle Busch and Trevor Bayne following as second through fifth.
Was it top tier experience or luck of circumstance that switched the race? Likely, you’ll get two answers from two drivers.
The points still have Sam Hornish, Jr. on top with Austin Dillon 16 points back. The top 4 are separated by only 28 points with Regan Smith and Elliott Sadler holding third and fourth. At fifth is Justin Allgaier at 52 points back and Brian Vickers is just one point behind him.
Tough and close racing is still to come in the eight remaining races. Will Sam Hornish, Jr. hold it or can one of the others hit a rush of good runs and pull ahead? That’s the question and that’s why time, and racing, will tell.
FULL PHOTOS – VIRGINIA 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS 250 from RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY