NASCAR at Richmond results: Martin Truex Jr. advances in playoffs with win at Federated Auto Parts 400

Denny Hamlin has been right up with Kyle Larson for the top spot in the NASCAR Cup Series all season long, despite having no race wins to his name.

He finally picked up that elusive first-place finish at the perfect time, claiming the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway in the first playoff race to immediately vault himself to the top of the playoff standings and ensure he makes the next round.

But after Darlington, the stakes rose up for Alex Bowman, Kyle Busch, William Byron and Michael McDowell. After the Cook Out Southern 500, those four moved below the cutline. Saturday's Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders race at the Richmond Raceway could go a long way toward deciding who is really in the driver's seat heading into the final race in the Round of 16 next week at Bristol.

Sporting News will track live updates and sharing highlights all race from the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at the Richmond Raceway.

MORE: Watch today's NASCAR race live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

NASCAR at Richmond live updates, highlights from Federated Auto Parts 400

7 p.m.: Kyle Larson will start in the rear of tonight's race after his car failed pre-race inspection.

NEWS: The No. 5 car of @KyleLarsonRacin will start at the rear of the field tonight at @RichmondRaceway following multiple pre-race inspection failures. pic.twitter.com/uU1hlCr3sm

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 11, 2021

NASCAR start time today

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (TV time)
• TV channel: NBCSN (TSN5 in Canada)
• Live stream: NBCSports.com | NBC Sports App | fuboTV (7-day free trial)

The green flag for Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Richmond Raceway's 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval is scheduled to drop at 7:45 p.m. ET.

Weather is not expected to be a concern. The National Weather Service's forecast for Richmond, Va., calls for clear skies, light winds and the temperature falling into the low 60s on Saturday night, after a sunny afternoon with a high temperature in the low 80s.

NASCAR Cup playoff standings

Denny Hamlin became the first driver this year to clinch a second-round when he won at Darlington. Runner-up driver Kyle Larson increased his playoff points lead and four playoff drivers suffered big hits in the standings after crashing out at the track that's "Too Tough to Tame."

x-Clinched berth in Round of 12.

NASCAR starting lineup at Richmond

Here is the complete NASCAR strating lineup for Saturday's playoff race at Richmond Raceway, the Federated Auto Parts 400.