NASCAR at Richmond results: Brad Keselowski makes playoff statement in Federated Auto Parts 400

Dan Bernstein

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NASCAR at Richmond results: Brad Keselowski makes playoff statement in Federated Auto Parts 400 image

The second race of the NASCAR playoffs arrived Saturday afternoon with five drivers within 10 points of each other around the postseason elimination line.

That intense backdrop, however, didn't lead to particularly intense racing down the stretch. Brad Keselowski sped to victory in a crash-free Federated Auto Parts 400 — the third race of the 2020 season without a non-competition caution.

With his win, Keselowski clinched advancement to the Round of 12, joining Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin as drivers who have secured a bid before the final race of the Round of 16. The rest of the field will be cut down next weekend at Bristol.

Outside of Keselowski, Austin Dillon garnered attention with his second straight strong postseason outing. He finished in fourth place and picked up valuable points from being the runner-up in Stage 1 and Stage 2. If not for a pit mishap with 60 laps remaining, it's possible Dillon would have challenged Keselowski.

Martin Truex Jr. came in second place and Joey Logano came in third. William Byron had the worst showing among playoff drivers with a 21st-place effort that puts him on the brink of elimination.

Sporting News tracked live updates and lap-by-lap highlights from Saturday's NASCAR race at Richmond. Check out the complete results from the Federated Auto Parts 400:

Finishing positions at Richmond for playoff drivers

DriverPos.
Brad Keselowski1
Martin Truex Jr.2
Joey Logano3
Austin Dillon4
Chase Elliott5
Kyle Busch6
Kevin Harvick7
Aric Almirola8
Alex Bowman9
Clint Bowyer10
Denny Hamlin12
Kurt Busch13
Cole Custer14
Matt DiBenedetto17
Ryan Blaney19
William Byron21

Lead changes: 19
Leaders: 9
Cautions: 3

NASCAR at Richmond results, highlights from Federated Auto Parts 400

(All times Eastern)

10:45 p.m.: Brad Keselowski wins at Richmond. He has clinched a spot in the Round of 12 with the victory.

10:41 p.m.: Dillon and Logano are fighting hard for third as we enter the final 10 laps.

10:36 p.m.: Twenty more laps remaining at Richmond. Keselowski holds a 2.6 second advantage over Truex Jr.

10:27 p.m.: It's Keselowski, Truex Jr. and Dillon in front with about 40 laps to go.

10:19 p.m.: Austin Dillon misses pit road with 60 laps remaining in the race. That'll cost him some time but won't eliminate him from contention.

10:07 p.m.: Logano moves into first. Top 5: Logano, Keselowski, Truex Jr., Austin Dillon, Chase Elliott.

9:58 p.m.: Hamlin still hasn't found his groove after being penalized at the start of Stage 1.

9:44 p.m.: Austin Dillon falls to eighth after Stage 3 goes green.

9:32 p.m.: Keselowski wins Stage 2. Dillon finishes second, equaling his feat from Stage 1.

9:24 p.m.: Keselowski takes the lead from Austin Dillon.

9:17 p.m.: A penalty against Harvick for a commitment line violation puts last week's winner far from contention here at Richmond.

9:09 p.m.: Austin Dillon takes the lead. He's gone from first to worst to first this race.

9:07 p.m.: Austin Dillon is in second place and cutting into Harvick's lead.

9:03 p.m. Harvick comes out of pit road with a lead of more than 10 seconds.

9 p.m.: Byron entered the night in relative safety, but at this pace, he will be facing potential elimination next weekend.

8:54 p.m.: Austin Dillon's team is in one of the best moods they've ever been in given his strong start and recovery from penalty to begin Stage 2.

8:51 p.m.: William Byron has gotten worse as the race has progressed and is down to 22nd place. Blaney, who was forced into a frustrating double pit in Stage 1, has rebounded somewhat to 18th place.

8:44 p.m.: Brad Keselowski passes Logano for first place.

8:42 p.m.: Austin Dillon is already back in the top 15.

8:33 p.m.: Joey Logano is the new leader after the penalties on Hamlin and Austin Dillon.

8:28 p.m.: Well this is a huge shift in the competition. The top two cars are forced to the back.

8:22 p.m.: Hamlin wins Stage 1. Austin Dillon finishes a close second.

8:13 p.m. Kyle Busch has moved his way to 15th, an impressive placement after starting last due to two inspection failures. There are 22 laps remaining in Stage 1.

8:07 p.m.: Denny Hamlin passes Austin Dillon for first place.

8:05 p.m.: Ryan Blaney is in serious trouble having entered Saturday tied for the lowest points total among playoff drivers.

7:59 p.m.: Austin Dillon's crew tells him he has the fastest car on the track right now. He's surprising some people here after performing well last weekend.

7:56 p.m.: Austin Dillon is now in first place.

Dan Bernstein