Expert prediction
Cook Out 400 Picks, NASCAR Odds & Betting Preview (Aug 15)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 7:00 PM ET
- Where: Richmond Raceway, Virginia
- How to Watch: USA
The action on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule continues this weekend, as the Cook Out 400 is set for Richmond Raceway. Important points will be up for grabs, as the battle for playoff places heats up. You can find the latest odds and our Cook Out 400 picks here.
Cook Out 400 Odds
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Denny Hamlin | +500 |
| Christopher Bell | +550 |
| Ryan Blaney | +800 |
| Joey Logano | +800 |
| Ty Gibbs | +1000 |
| Kyle Larson | +1100 |
| Austin Dillon | +1300 |
| Other Selections | +1600 & Bigger |
Cook Out 400 Recent Winners
| Year | Winning Driver |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Austin Dillon |
| 2024 | Austin Dillon |
| 2023 | Chris Buescher |
| 2022 | Kevin Harvick |
| 2021 | Martin Truex Jr |
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Event Preview
The Cook Out 400 makes up the 24th race on the Cup Series schedule in 2026, and it is the second race on the regular calendar following the In-Season Challenge. Drivers will cover a total of 300 miles in the evening race, which is made up of 400 laps.
Austin Dillon’s recent record in the race deserves huge respect this weekend, and it is worth considering that he has finished in the top ten in two of the last four races. However, he is yet to better a P6 finish in 2026.
Ty Gibbs moved up to second in the Drivers’ Championship last weekend after a professional win in the Iowa Corn 350. That was a deserved win after finishing in the top ten in four of the previous five races.
Christopher Bell was once again forced to settle to be the bridesmaid, finishing P2 for the fourth time in five races. A first race win of the season can’t be that far away for the talented driver.
Denny Hamlin continued to lead the standings after finishing fifth for the second race running last Sunday. The four-time race winner this season, has finished no worse than 12th in the last five rounds.
Chase Briscoe has also been driving very consistently in recent weeks, taking P6 at the Iowa Corn 350 last Sunday, meaning that he has now finished in the top ten in five of the last six races.
Cook Out 400 Picks
Ryan Blaney finished P3 at the Cook Out 400 12 months ago, and he could go a couple of places better this Saturday. Blaney has been very consistent throughout the season, winning on two occasions, and finishing third last weekend. Blaney has finished no worse than eleventh in 12 of the last 13 races.
Free Pick:
Nascar
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