NASCAR's Cook Out 400 at Richmond: Start time, TV, lineup, and Iowa connection
RICHMOND, VA. The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway this Saturday night for the Cook Out 400, and while the race takes place in Virginia, there's plenty of Iowa flavor in the field. Ross Chastain, fresh off a strong seventh-place finish at Iowa Speedway last weekend, is battling for a spot in the postseason Chase, and his momentum could make him a driver to watch.
Chastain's No. 1 Chevrolet will roll off 18th on Saturday night. His fifth top-10 finish of the season at Iowa has him feeling optimistic, even as he sits on the bubble of the playoff cut line.
“I drank a Busch Light (after Iowa). It was great,” Chastain said. “The job doesn't stop just because you're slow. The sport doesn't care that you're slow. And so, with our different approach, clearly we're off the track we were on and we're on a better one now. It feels good to see it pay off at least one weekend.”
When does the Cook Out 400 start?
The Cook Out 400 is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Richmond Raceway. The race covers 400 laps around the 0.750-mile track, totaling 300 miles, with stages at laps 70, 160, and 230.
What channel is the NASCAR race at Richmond on?
The race will air on USA Network, with pre-race coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET. Leigh Diffey will handle the call alongside analysts Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte. Pre- and post-race shows will be hosted by Marty Snider with 1999 Winston Cup champion Dale Jarrett, while former Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne debuts as pace-car analyst.
How can Iowa fans stream the race?
Unlike last season, USA Network broadcasts cannot be streamed on Peacock. Fans can watch through YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, or the USA Network app with cable provider login. HBO Max offers live in-car camera feeds, and MRN carries the radio broadcast.
Who's on the pole and who's on the bubble?
Ryan Blaney, third in points, will start from the pole for the fourth time in five races. He's joined on the front row by Chase Briscoe. Denny Hamlin, the hometown favorite from Chesterfield, Virginia, and current points leader, starts 14th. Hamlin has five career Cup wins at Richmond and is chasing a sixth.
With only three races left before the Chase, the pressure is mounting for drivers hovering near 16th in the standings. Austin Cindric currently holds the final playoff spot, but Ryan Preece trails by just 29 points. Ross Chastain, Brad Keselowski, and Erik Jones are all within 50 points of Cindric.
“For us right now, we've got to go really fast and we've got to do it across the entire race,” Chastain said. “If the car's good, we'll drive forward.”
Who won at Richmond last year?
Austin Dillon has won the last two Cup races at Richmond. His 2024 victory was marred by controversy when he wrecked Joey Logano and hooked Denny Hamlin on the final lap of overtime. NASCAR upheld the win but denied him a playoff berth under the old win-and-in format. Last season, Dillon won cleanly, leading 107 laps and winning by 2.4 seconds.
Cook Out 400 starting lineup
(Car number in parentheses)
1. (12) Ryan Blaney
2. (19) Chase Briscoe
3. (5) Kyle Larson
4. (45) Tyler Reddick
5. (54) Ty Gibbs
6. (24) William Byron
7. (9) Chase Elliott
8. (22) Joey Logano
9. (20) Christopher Bell
10. (11) Denny Hamlin
11. (1) Ross Chastain
12. (6) Brad Keselowski
13. (17) Chris Buescher
14. (8) Kyle Busch
15. (2) Austin Cindric
16. (41) Ryan Preece
17. (34) Michael McDowell
18. (3) Austin Dillon
19. (48) Alex Bowman
20. (23) Bubba Wallace
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASCAR at Richmond: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Cook Out 400