Toyota Owners 400 2016: 5 takeaways from Richmond

Here are five takeaways from the 2016 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

After a week of rain, there were clear skies and plenty of open racing at the 2016 Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on Sunday. It was also an unusually clean day of racing, which hasn’t seemed to be the norm for short-track racing lately.

To start the race, Kevin Harvick took his turn at the front of the pack and it looked like he was going to run a dominant race overall. While he was good, Harvick along with many others shifted turns at running at the front.

Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson would each spend a moment up front, but the race eventually shifted into a battle of brothers, between Kurt and Kyle Busch. The two wouldn’t let up on the other and they would race each other for the lead.

Kurt would eventually give way, as Edwards and Johnson both rose again to battle Busch late in the race.

1. Tony Stewart didn’t get a warm welcome back

After being involved in an ATV incident before the season began, Tony Stewart missed the start of the season. On Sunday, he made his return to NASCAR at the 2016 Toyota Owners 400. However, it was a rough return for Stewart.

He blew a tire on the track and struggled to race competitively.

It’s not the start to the final season of his career that he wanted.

2. The Busch Brothers battled it out for the lead

Kyle and Kurt Busch are two of the best drivers in NASCAR, but it’s been a while since they have battled for the lead. On Sunday, the two drivers battled each other for the lead late in the race at Richmond.

Kyle would hold ground, while Kurt would have issues with his car and fall way back.

It was cool seeing both brothers race each other hard.

3. Kevin Harvick is the model of consistency

Harvick started on the pole to begin the 2016 Toyota Owners 400 and he ran a great race. He didn’t win, but it was a consistent race and yet another great run for Harvick. He’s been great at racing in the top-10 this season and with a win already in his pocket, Harvick can keep racking up the points.

4. Joe Gibbs Racing was strong again

If the race is named the Toyota Owners 400, then a Toyota has to win the race right? While Kyle Busch was the big winner at Richmond, him and his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Carl Edwards dominated most of the day. Denny Hamlin and Matt Kenseth would also run in the top-10.

The Toyotas have been the most dominant team over the last couple of seasons and they continue to dominate a field that is trying to catch up to what they have.

5. Carl Edwards bumps Kyle Busch for win

For the second week in a row, Carl Edwards is the winner of the race. However, it looked like Kyle Busch was going to win the Toyota Owners 400. With less than a lap to go, Kyle Busch tried to block Edwards and hold him off for the win.

That’s when Edwards bumped him, much like he tried to do to Kevin Harvick at Phoenix, and this time he was able to move Busch enough to blow past him and take the win at Richmond. Edwards wins his second race of the season and Busch had to watch his teammate steal a win from him.

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