2025 NASCAR Cook Out 400 betting picks & best odds

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Richmond Raceway for the Cook Out 400 — a classic Saturday night showdown on one of NASCAR’s oldest short tracks. Scheduled for August 16 at 7:30pm ET, the 400-lap (300-mile) event will light up the 0.75‑mile D‑shaped oval.

Richmond has long played a pivotal role in the playoff narrative, and this year is no different. With only one race left before the Round of 16, pressure is at its peak for bubble contenders looking to race their way in.

The track’s unique mix of worn asphalt and tight corners creates a blend of strategy, tire falloff, and mechanical grip that routinely produces long green-flag runs and late-race drama. Split pit strategies and stage-point aggression have often turned the tide here — and they’ll do it again.

Denny Hamlin returns to his home track as the betting favorite with the top online sportsbooks. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver has five career wins here, including a dominant spring victory in 2024, and boasts a 5.0 average finish at this circuit, with top-two results in seven of the last eight short-flat oval races.

Hamlin will face stiff competition from the likes of William Byron, who dominated Iowa in July; Joey Logano, who thrives under playoff pressure and owns multiple wins at similar tracks; and Brad Keselowski, who has been putting together consistent results in oval races.

NASCAR Cook Out 400 betting odds

• Denny Hamlin – +375
• Christopher Bell – +400
• Kyle Larson – +625
• William Byron – +750
• Ryan Blaney – +900
• Joey Logano – +1200
• Chase Briscoe – +1200
• Chase Elliott – +1500
• Brad Keselowski – +1800
• Chris Buescher – +3300
• Kyle Busch – +4000
• Josh Berry – +4000
• Ross Chastain – +4000
• Tyler Reddick – +4000
• Bubba Wallace – +5000
• Carson Hocevar – +5000
• Ryan Preece – +6600
• Alex Bowman – +6600
• Ty Gibbs – +6600
• Austin Dillon – +8000
• Austin Cindric – +8000
• Shane van Gisbergen – +17500
• Daniel Suarez – +17500
• Corey Heim – +22500
• Erik Jones – +22500
• John H. Nemechek – +45000
• Jesse Love – +50000
• Cody Ware – +50000
• Ty Dillon – +50000
• Cole Custer – +50000
• Riley Herbst – +50000
• Todd Gilliland – +50000
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr – +50000
• AJ Allmendinger – +50000
• Zane Smith – +50000
• Noah Gragson – +50000
• Justin Haley – +50000
• Michael McDowell – +50000

More odds available at BetOnline

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2025 Cook Out 400 NASCAR betting predictions

Denny Hamlin to win

Hamlin has five wins here, the best average finish among active drivers, and a knack for controlling the pace late. With track position and strategy at a premium under the lights, his poise and pit-crew execution make him the driver to beat. At +375 with BetOnline, he’s the best outright bet on the board.

William Byron top-three finish

Byron’s recent short-track form is elite: a win at Iowa, consistent speed at Martinsville, and a top-five car in every short-flat race this season. He led triple-digit laps at Richmond in 2023 and has emerged as the top Hendrick threat on tracks under a mile. A top-three ticket at +185 with BetOnline offers value for a driver trending up heading into the postseason.

Brad Keselowski top-five finish

Brad Keselowski’s steady run through the summer has flown under the radar, but Richmond could be where it all pays off. He’s riding five straight top-10s on ovals and finished third in Iowa — another high-tire-wear short track. At +185 with BetOnline, a top-five play on ‘BK’ gives punters solid odds on a veteran known for excelling when the playoff pressure rises.