The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 got off to a clean start at Richmond International Raceway and stayed caution-free until NASCAR waved a pre-planned "competition caution" after 36 laps.

The caution period, announced to teams before the race, was to allow teams to check tire wear and make any adjustments necessitated by having the race start during the day when the track is warmer than it would have been with an evening start.

A race with few caution laps would be helpful for NASCAR, track officials and area law enforcement officers who will be faced with managing a two-way traffic flow between the end of the Sprint Cup race and the 7 p.m. start of the Nationwide Series 250-lapper.

Much of the Sprint Cup event crowd will be leaving. Some of those who have tickets for only the Nationwide race will be coming in.

-- Randy Hallman