Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Richmond Raceway – Richmond, Virginia
Track Type: 0.75-mile D-shaped short track
Race Distance: 400 laps / 300 miles
Broadcast: USA Network | Stream: fubo, HBO Max, NBCSports.com
The Cook Out 400 marks the penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, and with only one Richmond date on the calendar this year, the stakes are sky-high. Drivers on the playoff bubble—like Tyler Reddick, Alex Bowman, and Chris Buescher—are desperate for a win before the chaos of Daytona next weekend.
Track Breakdown & Tire Strategy
Richmond Raceway is known for:
Heavy tire wear and falloff
Strategic pit cycles
Multi-groove racing with late-race comers
Goodyear is bringing its soft short-track compound, previously used at Martinsville, Bowman Gray, and North Wilkesboro. Expect tire management to be critical, especially with the left-side compound slightly softer than last year’s “Option” tire.
Top Contenders & Driver Analysis
Denny Hamlin (+400)
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Richmond Stats: 5 wins, 20 Top-5s, 24 Top-10s, 2,367 laps led
Recent Form: Wins at Dover and Martinsville; 6 Top-2s in last 8 Richmond starts
Analysis: The hometown hero and short-track master. Hamlin has led laps in 9 straight Richmond races and is the betting favorite.
Christopher Bell (+450)
Team: Joe Gibbs Racing
Richmond Stats: 7 Top-6s in 9 starts; led 122 laps last summer
Analysis: Bell’s consistency and ability to manage tire wear make him a serious threat.
Kyle Larson (+800)
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
Richmond Stats: Winner in 2023 spring race; 5 Top-7s in last 7 starts
Short Track Form: 1st at Bristol, 3rd at Phoenix, 4th at Dover
Analysis: Larson’s aggressive style suits Richmond’s rhythm. He’s a dark horse with upside.
Value Picks & Sleepers
| Driver | Odds | Notes |
| Joey Logano | +1000 | 11 Top-7s in last 15 Richmond starts; nearly won last year |
| Brad Keselowski | +1600 | Former winner; in must-win playoff mode |
| Chris Buescher | +2200 | Strong short-track form; playoff bubble pressure |
| Tyler Reddick | +2500 | Needs a win to lock in playoff spot |
| Chase Briscoe | +1200 | Fastest car in recent weeks; JGR momentum |
| Alex Bowman | +4000 | Past Richmond winner; playoff hopes on the line |
Win Bet: Denny Hamlin
Top-5 Finish: Christopher Bell
Longshot Play: Chris Buescher
Exacta Box: Hamlin / Bell / Larson
DRIVER ODDS
Denny Hamlin + 225
Brad Keselowski + 450
Christopher Bell + 650
Chase Elliott + 800
Ryan Preece + 900
Kyle Larson + 1100
Ryan Blaney + 1300
Kyle Busch + 1400
Chase Briscoe + 1400
William Byron + 1600
Tyler Reddick + 1600
Bubba Wallace + 2500
Alex Bowman + 2500
Joey Logano + 2800
Austin Dillon + 3500
Josh Berry + 4000
Chris Buescher + 4000
Carson Hocevar + 4000
AJ Allmendinger + 5000
Ty Gibbs + 6500
Ross Chastain + 7000
Austin Cindric + 10000
Erik Jones + 11000
John Hunter Nemechek + 15000
Michael McDowell + 17000
Daniel Suarez + 17000
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. + 20000
Ty Dillon + 25000
Corey Heim + 25000
Shane Van Gisbergen + 30000
Noah Gragson + 30000
Jesse Love + 35000
Todd Gilliland + 40000
Zane Smith + 50000
Justin Haley + 50000
Cole Custer + 50000
Cody Ware + 50000
Riley Herbst + 60000
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, August 15, 2025
