The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 16, for the highly anticipated Cook Out 400. Starting at 7:30 p.m. ET under the lights of the 0.75-mile asphalt oval, this 400-lap, 300-mile event promises intense short-track racing action. Fans can catch the race live on USA Network beginning at 7 p.m. ET, with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM <a href="https://www.big14news.com/nascar/”>NASCAR Channel 90. With a purse just shy of $9.8 million, the stakes are high for drivers competing in this historic event as part of the 2025 NASCAR schedule.
Richmond Raceway Weekend Schedule and Broadcast Details
The NASCAR action at Richmond begins on Friday, August 15, with multiple practice sessions and qualifying events. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) hosts the eero 250 that evening at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, alongside MRN and SiriusXM radio coverage. The NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) buses will take to the track for practice and Busch Light Pole qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on truTV. On race day, Saturday, August 16, the Cook Out 400 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised on USA Network with radio broadcasts available on MRN and SiriusXM.
Richmond Raceway: Milestones and Historical Significance in NASCAR
This weekend signifies the 137th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway, a venue steeped in racing lore since its first Cup event in 1953. Richmond has continuously hosted a Cup race every year from 1955 onward, making this only the second year since 1959 with a single race at the track—the other being the disrupted 2020 pandemic season. Known as the fourth leg in a series of six short track races in 2025, Richmond challenges drivers with its tight 0.75-mile oval, setting the stage for close competition.
Richmond’s rich history includes legendary figures like Lee Petty, who won the inaugural Cup race at the then-half-mile dirt track, and Ted Horn, who claimed victory in the area’s first-ever 1946 open-wheel event. The Fairgrounds Raceway, as it was known, evolved through the years into its current configuration, with a significant track rebuild in 1988 switching it to the present ¾-mile layout. The track has been under NASCAR’s wing since 1999 after acquisition by the International Speedway Corporation.
The track complex in Henrico County spans 900 acres and houses six permanent buildings, including a 60,000 square foot Exhibition Hall and an 8,000-seat Classic Amphitheater. Beyond racing, Richmond Raceway hosts varied events—from trade shows and concerts to festivals and antique expos—making it a hub of community activity year-round.
Recent and Upcoming Enhancements to Richmond Raceway
Major upgrades have transformed Richmond Raceway’s infield and fan experience over the past decade. Development projects unveiled in 2017 and completed by NASCAR’s 2018 Playoff weekend included a redesigned infield to bring fans closer to pit action and inspections, expanded social and concession areas, repositioned victory lane nearer to grandstands in turn 1, and enhanced amenities such as a new media center, pedestrian tunnel, and additional consumer RV spaces. A new 80-person club with roof access overlooking victory lane and a party deck in turn 4 now offer fresh vantage points for race fans.
Safety improvements like SAFER barriers and concrete pit stalls were installed in 2003, and grandstand removals in 2014-2015 reduced overall seating but improved viewing sightlines. These enhancements continue to support Richmond’s reputation as one of NASCAR’s premier short tracks.
Richmond Raceway’s Unique Racing Characteristics and Trends
Statistical and race trends reveal intriguing patterns at Richmond. In the last 13 Cup races held there, only one winner was under 30 years old, signaling the advantage held by experienced drivers. Notably, none of the last eight races featured a stage winner who went on to take the checkered flag, and the driver who led the most laps has repeatedly fallen short of victory over the recent eight races, though this season’s short tracks differ with the top-lap leaders winning all three events so far.
The 2024 Spring race marked the first time the Cup Series used wet weather tires on an oval at Richmond, illustrating how this historic venue continues to adapt to new racing conditions. The last three Richmond Cup races featured caution flags within the final 10 laps, adding to the suspense for drivers and fans alike. Furthermore, five drivers who are currently not locked into the playoffs—such as Kyle Busch with six Richmond wins, Brad Keselowski, Austin Dillon, Chris Buescher, and Alex Bowman—all have previous victories at this track, emphasizing the significance of Richmond for playoff hopefuls.
Richmond’s short track emphasis is underscored by the fact that five of the last eight races ended with a late-race pass for the win in the final 10 laps, fostering a climate of intense competition. The longest green flag runs have extended more than 60 laps across the past five short track events, a streak not seen since 1988.
Among active drivers, Kyle Busch stands out with 16 short-track wins, though he ranks 17th in points on short tracks during the Next Gen car era. His reliability at Richmond remains exceptional, having completed all but one of the 14,244 laps he could have run over 38 starts. Also, 19% of Denny Hamlin’s Cup wins occurred in his home state of Virginia, highlighting local talent’s prominence at Richmond Raceway.
Richmond’s Place in Drivers’ Careers and Playoff Scenarios
Richmond Raceway has been pivotal in launching careers as 52 different drivers have made their Cup series debut at this track, including Parker Retzlaff as recently as August 11, 2024. Several drivers have celebrated their first NASCAR Cup victory at Richmond, such as Kasey Kahne (2005) and Tony Stewart (1999), demonstrating the track’s role as a milestone circuit.
Season milestones add further drama this weekend: Alex Bowman will make his 350th Cup start, a rare achievement with only three drivers having won a race on their 350th start. Ryan Blaney hits his 350th consecutive Cup start, maintaining one of the longest active streaks, although Richmond remains the only oval where he has not yet finished in the top five.
Christopher Bell faces a streak of speeding penalties in each of the last three Richmond races, an aspect to watch during the upcoming event. Meanwhile, Toyota eyes a landmark as the manufacturer approaches 200 Cup series wins since its 2007 NASCAR entry.
Playoff implications intensify the stakes; 13 drivers have already clinched spots in the 16-driver postseason field, including William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Denny Hamlin. Drivers like Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman remain on the cusp, with clinching scenarios dependent on points or victories during the weekend. Several drivers can secure playoffs by winning, including current race winners and hopefuls like Chris Buescher and Kyle Busch. William Byron also has a chance to clinch the Regular Season Championship but would need additional help to do so.
Support Events and Community Engagement During Race Week
Richmond Raceway will be buzzing with additional events surrounding the main NASCAR Cup Series race, adding layers of fan interaction and community involvement. From August 14-16, the NASCAR Youth Series presented by Cook Out will take place on the drift and bus parking lots adjacent to the track. This free event highlights family-oriented quarter-midget racing for children ages 5-16, showcasing the next generation of motorsport talent in scaled-down race cars designed specifically for youth safety and competition.
Community-oriented activities include the Track Laps for Charity on August 12, allowing fans to drive five laps around the ¾-mile oval for a donation benefiting Victory Junction Camp and Richmond Raceway Cares. Joe Gibbs Racing’s Chase Briscoe will make an appearance at this event from 5 to 7 p.m.
The traditional pre-race festivities continue with theFinish Line Party on August 13 at Q-Rooftop Bar atop Richmond’s Quirk Hotel, providing fans a lively, themed social gathering to kick off NASCAR Weekend.
Additional fan engagement on race weekend includes The NASCAR Foundation Speediatrics Fun Day Festival on August 15, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles for children through NASCAR-themed activities at the Fan Zone. A “Who’s Your Driver?” sober and safe driving tailgate with Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain is also scheduled on Friday, emphasizing responsible driving among racing enthusiasts. This initiative is supported by DRIVE SMART Virginia, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing alcohol-related crashes.
New to the Fan Zone is the NASC’Art & Car Show, combining a juried art exhibition themed on speed and racing with classic and vintage automobiles, featuring works from 34 nationally selected artists. On race day, celebrity chef Brittany Anderson, famed for winning Food Network’s Triple Threat competition, will make a special appearance at Torque Club, preparing small bites and sharing culinary insights prior to the race start.
Truck Series and Sponsorship Partnerships
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Regular Season Finale, renamed the eero 250, will take place on Friday, August 15, at Richmond Raceway. eero, an Amazon company known for pioneering whole-home mesh Wi-Fi systems, serves as the entitlement partner. Since launching the first mesh Wi-Fi system in 2016, eero’s association with Richmond highlights its investment in innovative, tech-driven environments consistent with NASCAR’s dynamic fan base.
Additionally, the “Who’s Your Driver?” safe driving campaign returns as the presenting partner for this NASCAR race weekend at Richmond Raceway, continuing a strong focus on community safety and responsible driving education during the August 14-16 festivities.
Anticipation Builds for a Pivotal Richmond Raceway Event
As the NASCAR Cup Series gears up for the Cook Out 400 on Saturday, the tension and excitement surrounding Richmond Raceway are palpable. The track’s storied history, combined with evolving competition patterns and playoff stakes, creates a high-pressure environment for drivers and teams. Fans can expect late-race battles, strategic pit stops, and the possibility of race-defining moments in the closing laps, given Richmond’s recent record of last-minute pass-for-the-win finishes.
Looking ahead, the Cook Out 400 stands as a crucial checkpoint in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, influencing the playoff picture and showcasing Richmond Raceway’s enduring role as a cornerstone of American motorsports. The weekend’s diverse events further cement the raceway’s importance, not only as a competitive venue but as a vibrant community hub fostering the sport’s future and engaging fans of all ages.
