Which track is the favorite among NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series insiders according to a NASCAR.com survey?  It's America's Premiere Short Track, Richmond International Raceway. 

A groundswell of support has steadily grown among many drivers, fans and industry insiders who say that the best track is Richmond International Raceway.  The ¾-mile, semi-banked layout features the perfect blend of short track "beating and banging" to go along with speeds and passing normally seen at some larger tracks.

Richmond International Raceway received 26% of the vote for the "What is your favorite track" question, followed by Daytona International Speedway, Darlington Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway, all of which received 13%.

"It's the perfect track," said six-time Richmond International Raceway winner, Rusty Wallace.  "It's just the perfect size. It offers super competition, great side-by-side racing and there's plenty of room for everybody. I know even Roger Penske really loves the place.  He'll be up there in the spotters' stand before the race starts and say how great it would be to have a bunch of Richmond tracks scattered out across the country."

Despite hosting 26 consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series sellouts spanning 13 season, track officials have continued to make improvements.   In recent seasons, the track has moved all of its events "under the lights," has continued to add seats, has integrated creative, successful themes with its Chevrolet-sponsored NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events like the Looney Tunes and Rock & Roll, and has spent more than $40 million in projects aimed at improving the experience for fans, drivers, race officials and the media.

"Our new tagline, 'Racing Perfection' really resonates with the many different groups of people involved in the sport," said track president Doug Fritz.  "The drivers obviously love racing at Richmond and they put on a tremendous show.  We want our fans' experience to be as perfect as possible as well, from the time they pick up the phone to renew their tickets, to the product they see on the track to the time they arrive home after the race."

The NASCAR.com survey also featured a question about the "Chase" format and by nearly a nine to one margin, those surveyed were in favor of the system, which essentially calls for drivers in contention to have their points reset after the 26th race of the season.  Last season Richmond International Raceway landed that prestigious 26th spot on the schedule and the result was one of the most exciting and dramatic races in years.

"It would be hard for us to find a place that would be any better than this place right here," said Dale Jarrett leading up to the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, the 26th event on last year's schedule.  "If you go around as competitors, you talk about wondering why there aren't more racetracks built like this. Why somebody hasn't built another one of these ¾-mile tracks like this, I don't know, because it'll be a great show, as it always is at Richmond."

Jarrett was prophetic, as Jeremy Mayfield raced his way into the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup by scoring a stunning victory in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400.

The entire survey, which included 18 other questions such as "Does your team 'bend' the rules?" and "If you weren't a racer, what would you be doing?" can be viewed at www.nascar.com.