Travel Tips: Richmond International Raceway – Sept. 6-7, 2013

Richmond International Raceway is where all the drama will be this weekend, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6-7, as the last race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup takes place. The Federated Auto Parts 400 is on the schedule for Saturday night, Sept. 7, preceded by the Nationwide Series Virginia 529 College Savings 250 on Friday night, Sept. 6.

On Thursday, Sept. 5, RIR will host the RVA’s Stars of NASCAR Festival, a free fan festival kicking off at 4:30 p.m. ET. The event features a question-and-answer session with Cup Series drivers who are eligible to race their way into or capture a Wild Card spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, but who have not locked in their positions prior to this weekend’s race. The event will also feature live music from The Killing Daylights and a number of RVA food trucks, which begin serving at 5 p.m. ET. Find out more here.

This year, the Miller Lite Party Zone will be open to all fans free of charge on Friday and Saturday. The Party Zone will feature live music, games, a mechanical bull, the Miller Lite showcar, a full-service cash bar and food for purchase. The Party Zone is open Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. ET and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Key on-track times:

Friday, Sept. 6 –

• Nationwide Series practice – 9 a.m. ET
• Sprint Cup Series practice – 12:10 and 2:45 p.m. ET
• Nationwide Series qualifying – 4:05 p.m. ET
• Sprint Cup Series qualifying – 5:35 p.m. ET
• Nationwide Series Virginia 529 College Savings 250 – 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, Sept. 7 –

• Sprint Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 – 7:30 p.m. ET

Find schedules, tips, directions and more at the “Fan Corner” tab.

For updated information for race weekend and to purchase tickets visit http://www.rir.com/.