The NASCAR Cup Series returns after a three week break to race at Richmond Raceway. The Cup Series raced at Richmond on Easter and the race was dominated by Martin Truex Jr. and won by Denny Hamlin. Will Joe Gibbs Racing win another race at Richmond, or will another team find their way to Victory Lane? It will be fun to see how it all plays out on this short, flat track. The Cook Out 400 can be seen Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
The Cup Series had a 45-minute practice session Saturday to test out a new softer tire to improve the short track racing. Richmond Raceway is a .75-mile, flat track. Most of the drivers were able to make some long runs in practice so we have plenty of data to use to help predict which drivers will run up front Sunday night.
Here is my updated Driver Rankings for the Cook Out 400…
| DRIVER |
| 1. DENNY HAMLIN |
| 2. MARTIN TRUEX JR. |
| 3. CHRISTOPHER BELL |
| 4. CHASE ELLIOTT |
| 5. JOEY LOGANO |
| 6. JOSH BERRY |
| 7. KYLE LARSON |
| 8. RYAN BLANEY |
| 9. WILLIAM BYRON |
| 10. CHRIS BUESCHER |
| 11. TYLER REDDICK |
| 12. BUBBA WALLACE |
| 13. AUSTIN DILLON |
| 14. TY GIBBS |
| 15. ALEX BOWMAN |
| 16. KYLE BUSCH |
| 17. BRAD KESELOWSKI |
| 18. NOAH GRAGSON |
| 19. ROSS CHASTAIN |
| 20. AUSTIN CINDRIC |
| 21. TODD GILLILAND |
| 22. DANIEL SUAREZ |
| 23. CHASE BRISCOE |
| 24. CARSON HOCEVAR |
| 25. ERIK JONES |
| 26. MICHAEL MCDOWELL |
| 27. ZANE SMITH |
| 28. RYAN PREECE |
| 29. COREY LAJOIE |
| 30. JUSTIN HALEY |
| 31. RICKY STENHOUSE JR. |
| 32. TY DILLON |
| 33. JOHN H. NEMECHEK |
| 34. HARRISON BURTON |
| 35. DANIEL HEMRIC |
| 36. RILEY HERBST |
| 37. PARKER RETZLAFF |
Need to know which driver would be the best pick for your Fantasy NASCAR lineup Sunday? Simply play the driver highest in the rankings.
Follow me on X (Twitter) @MrFantasyNASCAR
If you like Fantasy NASCAR, LIKE my Fantasy NASCAR Tips Page on Facebook