{"id":36788,"date":"2025-08-14T20:05:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T00:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=36788"},"modified":"2025-08-14T20:05:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T00:05:43","slug":"nascar-cup-series-at-richmond-raceway-preview-and-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/08\/14\/nascar-cup-series-at-richmond-raceway-preview-and-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR Cup Series at Richmond Raceway Preview and Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Richmond Raceway hosts the penultimate race of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the Cook Out 400. Here is everything you need to know for Saturday’s short track action.<\/p>\n

NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway Preview<\/h2>\n

Last time we were at Richmond Raceway, we saw what someone would do to win a race. Austin Dillon, on an overtime restart, wrecked both Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin for the win. While Dillon kept the win, it did not grant him playoff eligibility, and he lost 25 points<\/a>, dropping him significantly in the standings. Will we see another chaotic finish at ‘The Action Track’? Or will Virginia’s own Denny Hamlin break the tie for the most wins on the season?<\/p>\n

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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – AUGUST 11: Austin Dillon, driver of the #3 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet, takes the checkered flag under caution to win the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway on August 11, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Logan Whitton\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Read More:\u00a0Controversy Overshadows Austin Dillon’s Win at Richmond<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Race Preview:<\/h3>\n

The Cook Out 400 is a 400-lap, 300-mile race around the 3\/4 mile Richmond Raceway. The stage cautions will be on 70 and 230, with a 170-lap run to the checkered flag on lap 400. The prize purse for this race is 9,797,935 dollars. The teams will have 10 sets of Goodyear tires for this weekend, 8 for the race, 1 for qualifying, and 1 for practice. In case of weather, teams will have 4 sets of wet tires.<\/p>\n

The Track-Richmond Raceway:<\/h3>\n

The Richmond Raceway, located in Richmond, Virginia, first hosted a NASCAR race when it was a half-mile dirt oval in 1953. Paved in 1968 and then lengthened in 1988 into a D-Shaped 1988, it truly became its nickname, \u2018The Action Track\u2019. The Cup Series has raced at Richmond 136 times in the past.<\/p>\n

Lee Petty won the first race at Richmond on April 19th, 1953, driving a Dodge. Richard Petty holds the all-time wins record at Richmond, with an astonishing 13 victories. Kyle Busch holds the record amongst active drivers with 6 wins. Kevin Harvick set the lap record, running a 21.849-second lap in 2019.<\/p>\n

Cup Series Point Standings:<\/h3>\n

Here is the current battle for the regular-season champion:<\/p>\n

1. William Byron: 812
\n2. Chase Elliott: 770
\n3. Denny Hamlin: 731
\n4. Christopher Bell: 727
\n5. Kyle Larson: 727
\n6. Ryan Blaney: 710<\/p>\n

And here is the battle to make the playoffs:<\/p>\n

14th. Tyler Reddick: +117<\/p>\n

15th. Alex Bowman: +60<\/p>\n

16th. Chris Buescher: +34<\/p>\n

——– Cut-Off Line———–<\/p>\n

17th. Ryan Preece: -34<\/p>\n

18th. Kyle Busch: -102<\/p>\n

19th. Ty Gibbs: -125<\/p>\n

Drivers To Watch:<\/h3>\n

Only two drivers are joining the 40 car field for this weekend. Jesse Love continues to make select Cup Series starts, driving the #33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress. Corey Heim joins him, driving the #67 Toyota for 23XI Racing.<\/p>\n

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Ready to bring the energy to Richmond.@jesselovejr1<\/a> | @c4energy<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BJFpIo2BTD<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 RCR (@RCRracing) August 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n