After spending the last two weeks on break for Olympic broadcasting, NASCAR returns to racing. The Cup Series heads to Richmond for the 2024 Cook Out 400 kicking off the mad dash to the post-season as just four races remain ahead of the playoffs.
Kyle Larson’s victory at Indy didn’t come without controversy but he’ll look to continue to build momentum ahead of the postseason. Meanwhile, those on the outside looking in hope to win their way into the playoffs while those currently on the bubble hope to maintain their position.
This weekend holds plenty to cover – we kick things off here by diving into the post-season picture.
Playoff Picture Ahead of the 2024 Cook Out 400
- Kyle Larson – Four Wins
- Denny Hamlin – Three Wins
- William Byron – Three Wins
- Christopher Bell – Three Wins
- Ryan Blaney – Two Wins
- Chase Elliott – One Win
- Tyler Reddick – One Win
- Brad Keselowski – One Win
- Alex Bowman – One Win
- Joey Logano – One Win
- Daniel Suarez – One Win
- Austin Cindric – One Win
- Martin Truex Jr. +108
- Ty Gibbs +42
- Chris Buescher +17
- Ross Chastain +7
- Bubba Wallace -7
- Chase Briscoe -83
- Kyle Busch -112
12 drivers locked their way into the NASCAR playoffs with wins. As the points currently stand, Martin Truex Jr. has a comfortable cushion over the cut line. A new winner in each of the four remaining regular season races seems exceedingly unlikely so I’m penciling in the #19 for the postseason.
Ty Gibbs is next on the list but the #54 also seems likely to advance, though in a precarious position. Further down, Chris Buescher and Ross Chastain both need flawless runs to the postseason to maintain their position. With a wild card race at Daytona where surprise winners are always a threat, neither can feel comfortable with their current situation. I think we see at least one fall out of the postseason.
We’re just having some fun😁 P5 in Indy 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/4UsvhqhTRp
— Bubba Wallace (@BubbaWallace) July 22, 2024
Bubba Wallace remains below the cut line but of the tracks remaining, he has a chance to claim victory at Daytona and at Michigan where he nearly claimed victory in 2022. He also ran well at both Richmond and Darlington in the spring. I think Wallace has a strong chance to make the playoffs even without a victory in the closing stages of the regular season.
I also don’t want to rule out the possibility of Kyle Busch somehow finding a victory. Keep an eye on the #8 these next few weeks in spite of the lack of speed.
2024 Cook Out 400 Entry List
Our entry list for the 2024 Cook Out 400 doesn’t hold many surprises but we do see Xfinity Regular Parker Retzlaff make his Cup Series debut in the #66 for MBM Motorsports. Ty Dillon mans the #16 for Kaulig Racing this week while Riley Herbst sits behind the wheel of the #15 for Rick Ware Racing.
Richmond Raceway has sadly not produced great racing in recent times with a strong push from fans to move one of their two dates on the NASCAR Schedule. The Cup Series looks to add a bit of an exciting element this week with the addition of option tires for Sunday’s race. One tire compound will be softer, theoretically allowing for more grip at the start and more fall-off as the race goes on, while the “prime” tires will have more endurance.
Great racing relies on great tires.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 10, 2024
We take a deep dive into NASCAR's 70-year partnership with @goodyear Sunday at 10 a.m. on YouTube. pic.twitter.com/3MmkzsGFfX
Unfortunately, when NASCAR tried this at the All-Star Race, the results weren’t all that noticeable. Joey Logano took the lead and held it though he didn’t seem to have the fastest car. I expect a similar outcome on Saturday in a race that will be largely determined by track position.
Cook Out 400 Race Odds and Predictions
Four drivers sit atop the odds list for Richmond within a stone’s throw of each other. Christopher Bell leads the pack at +400. Next come Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Larson at +500 and +550 respectively. Denny Hamlin, winner of the spring race, also comes in at +550.
Of this group, my pick for race winner is Martin Truex Jr. Though the driver of the #19 will likely point his way into the playoff, he’ll want to get a victory in his last full-time season. MTJ had the race won in the spring before a late race caution allowed Hamlin to beat him on the restart and in my opinion Richmond represents a chance at both redemption and one of his best tracks on the schedule.
TRUE/FALSE: Martin Truex Jr. will get his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the season this weekend at Richmond. pic.twitter.com/4vKS3XcjmZ
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 6, 2024
Elsewhere in the field, I like Joey Logano at +280 to finish as the top ford. Logano ran well at Richmond in the spring and also won the only race we’ve had thus far on these option tires. Expect a strong run out of the #22 in Virginia this weekend.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action.
Saturday 08/10
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 2:00 p.m. CT on FS1
NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 4:35 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Streaming
Clean Harbors 250 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) – 6:30 p.m. CT on FS1
Sunday 08/11
Cook Out 400 (NASCAR Cup Series) – 5:00 p.m. CT on USA
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