Last weekend: The Hartford native started 32nd (based on owners’ points when qualifying was

Last weekend: The Hartford native started 32nd (based on owners’ points when qualifying was rained out) and finished 22nd at the Rock ’n Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. It was the first time in four races that Blaney was still running at the end.

Season to date: The strong finish by Blaney moved him up to 31st place in the Sprint Cup Series standings, jumping ahead of Robby Gordon. He’s just 11 points behind Michael Waltrip in 30th place and 24 behind No. 29 Reed Sorenson.

This weekend: NASCAR’s top series begins the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with the Sylvania 300. Television coverage begins today on ESPN2 with qualifying at 3 p.m. Sunday’s coverage on WYTV (33) is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., with the green flag scheduled to drop shortly after 2.

Vindicator, nascarmedia.com