This race is called the Virginia 529 College Savings 250. That's a bit confusing for some. Here's what the Virginia 529 is:
COT Round 3: The Richmond Nationwide Preview
The number 529 is the section of the Internal Revenue Code that governs the operation of state sponsored, tax advantaged college savings plans.
A 529 College Savings Plan allows you to put aside money for future higher education expenses. Most states offer them. The money grows tax deferred and is tax-free when withdrawn if used to pay qualified higher education expenses. And because of their easy eligibility and contribution requirements, many families have found that 529 plans offer the best opportunity to save for college.
It’s a sponsor geared entirely towards Virginia residents. These types of things happen when normal sponsors don’t step up and sponsor a race. It’s good for the state of Virginia to help get the word out. As I stated above, this is the 3rd COT race of 4. This will be the short track test for the Nationwide Car of 2011. I’m not sure why we’ve had a Super Speedway test, an Intermediate test, and a Short Track test, but no Road Course test. The last race for the COT this year will be at a 1.5 mile track. Either way, we have some great short track action lined up for this week.
Entry list and more after the JUMP!
| Ent. | Car # | Driver | Sponsor | Manu. | Owner |
| 1 | 00 | Ryan Truex | NAPA | 10 Toyota | Michael Waltrip |
| 2 | 1 | Ryan Newman | Phoenix Construction | 10 Chevy | James Finch |
| 3 | 01 | Mike Wallace | JD Motorsports | 10 Chevy | Lori Davis |
| 4 | 04 | Jeremy Clements | Boudreaux's Butt Paste | 10 Chevy | Gene Vess |
| 5 | 05 | Willie Allen | 31-W Insulation | 10 Chevy | Wayne Day |
| 6 | 6 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr | Citifinancial | 10 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 7 | 7 | Aric Almirola | JR Motorsports | 10 Chevy | Bryan Mullet |
| 8 | 07 | Danny Efland | TBA | 10 Chevy | Thomas Efland Jr |
| 9 | 09 | John Wes Townley | Zaxby's | 10 Ford | Robby Benton |
| 10 | 10 | Tayler Malsam | Iron Horse Jeans | 10 Toyota | Todd Braun |
| 11 | 11 | Brian Scott | BigSpot.com | 10 Toyota | Harry Scott Jr |
| 12 | 12 | Justin Allgaier | Verizon Wireless | 10 Dodge | Roger Penske |
| 13 | 15 | Michael Annett | Germain.com | 10 Toyota | Bob Germain |
| 14 | 16 | Erik Darnell | 3M | 10 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 15 | 18 | Kyle Busch | Toyota Kimmy-Z Line | 10 Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 16 | 20 | Denny Hamlin | Z Line | 10 Toyota | Joe Gibbs |
| 17 | 21 | Clint Bowyer | ZAXBY'S | 10 Chevy | Richard Childress |
| 18 | 22 | Brad Keselowski | Ruby Tuesday | 10 Dodge | Jodi Geschickter |
| 19 | 23 | Coleman Pressley | R3 Motorsports | 09 Chevy | Robert Richardson |
| 20 | 24 | Eric McClure | Hefty Odor Block-Food City | 09 Ford | Ed Rensi |
| 21 | 25 | Kelly Bires | N/A | 10 Ford | Gary Weisbaum |
| 22 | 26 | Parker Kligerman | K-Automotive Motorsports | 10 Dodge | Bob Keselowski |
| 23 | 27 | Hermie Sadler III | Baker Curb Racing | 10 Ford | Mike Curb |
| 24 | 28 | Kenny Wallace | Federated Auto Parts | 10 Chevy | Jay Robinson |
| 25 | 32 | Reed Sorenson | Dollar General | 10 Toyota | Todd Braun |
| 26 | 33 | Kevin Harvick | Armour Vienna Sausage/Kroger | 10 Chevy | Delana Harvick |
| 27 | 34 | Tony Raines | Long John Silvers | 10 Chevy | Bob Jenkins |
| 28 | 35 | Jason Keller | TBA | 10 Chevy | Mark Smith |
| 29 | 38 | Jason Leffler | Great Clips | 10 Toyota | Ralph Braun |
| 30 | 40 | Mike Bliss | TBA | 10 Chevy | Curtis Key Sr |
| 31 | 49 | Mark Green | FX Networks | 10 Chevy | Jay Robinson |
| 32 | 56 | Kevin Lepage | Hyatt Place Richmond Airport | 10 Toyota | John McNelly |
| 33 | 60 | Carl Edwards | COPART | 10 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 34 | 62 | Brendan Gaughan | South Point Casino and Hotel | 10 Toyota | Rusty Wallace |
| 35 | 66 | Steve Wallace | 5 Hour Energy | 10 Toyota | Rusty Wallace |
| 36 | 68 | Carl Long | FleurDeLis Construction | 10 Chevy | Craig Partee |
| 37 | 70 | Shelby Howard | InternationalTrucks.com | 10 Chevy | Mary Louise Miller |
| 38 | 73 | Derrike Cope | Charter Dodge | 10 Dodge | Derrike Cope |
| 39 | 81 | Michael McDowell | Camrett Logistics | 10 Dodge | Pat MacDonald |
| 40 | 87 | Joe Nemechek | Hostgator.com | 09 Chevy | Andrea Nemechek |
| 41 | 88 | Elliott Sadler | GT Vodka | 10 Chevy | Dale Earnhardt Jr |
| 42 | 89 | Morgan Shepherd | Victory in Jesus Racing | 10 Chevy | Cindy Shepherd |
| 43 | 98 | Paul Menard | RICHMOND/MENARDS | 10 Ford | Jack Roush |
| 44 | 99 | Trevor Bayne | Out! Pet Care | 10 Toyota | Michael Waltrip |
There are 44 entries this week, so only one car will go home. Here are some points to ponder:
Ryan Truex returns this week to the #00. There is a good chance that Truex will run for Rookie of the Year next season in this ride.
Ryan Newman returns again.
Aric Almirola will drive the #7 Chevy this week. Almirola will run the #88 all next season.
Erik Darnell makes his 2010 debut in the #16 Ford this week. Darnell is set to make 2 more starts this year in that car.
Denny Hamlin is back in the #20 this week.
Coleman Pressley returns to the #23 this week. It was announced that R3 Motorsports plans on having two teams next year with Pressley and Richardson as full time drivers.
Kelly Bires will make an attempt this week in a second Rensi Ford.
Parker Kligerman returns this week. He will be in Brian Keselowski’s #26 ride. No plans have been finalized for Kligerman for next year.
Hermie Sadler will be behind the wheel of the #27 Ford this week.
Elliott Sadler will be back in the #88 this week. That means we have two sets of brother in this race. The Sadlers and the Wallaces.
Join us Friday at 7 eastern on ESPN 2 for the Virginia 529 College Savings 250 from Richmond! Enjoy!
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