The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Richmond Raceway for a Saturday night race, the Cook Out 400.
This event marks one of two remaining races before the playoffs begin. Three spots remain in the 16-driver field after Bubba Wallace won at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
This race is the lone trip to Richmond Raceway this season. It marks the debut of a new tire combination for this particular track. However, Cup Series teams previously used this combination at Circuit of the Americas, Mexico City, Chicago, and Sonoma Raceway.
Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway information
Weather: The WeatherUnderground forecast calls for partly cloudy skies throughout the day with a high of 83 degrees and a 6% chance of rain at the start of the Cook Out 400.
Green flag time: The grand marshal will give the command to fire engines at 7:28 p.m. ET. The starter will wave the green flag at 7:35 p.m. ET.
Starting lineup: Ryan Preece won the pole for the first time this season. Full starting lineup here.
Pre-race: The garage opens at 4:30 p.m. ET. Driver introductions will take place at 6:55 p.m. ET. Pre-race coverage begins with "Countdown to Green" on USA Network at 7 p.m. ET. Race coverage continues at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
The invocation will be at 7:20 p.m. ET. The national anthem will be performed at 7:21 p.m. ET.
Stages: The race will consist of three stages. The first stage ends at Lap 70. The second stage ends at Lap 230. The scheduled end of the race is Lap 400.
Playoff picture: The Cup Series drivers have completed 24 points-paying races. William Byron leads the standings. He has two wins, nine top-five finishes, and 13 top-10s.
Chase Elliott, second in points, has one win. The top five in the standings also includes Denny Hamlin (four wins), Christopher Bell (three wins), and Kyle Larson (three wins). Shane van Gisbergen, who sits 25th in points, has four wins including Watkins Glen International last weekend.
The drivers who have one win and a spot in the playoffs are Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, Austin Cindric, Chase Briscoe, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, and Ross Chastain.
Tyler Reddick is in the best situation heading to Sonoma. He has a 117-point advantage over the playoff cutline. He leads Alex Bowman (+60) and Chris Buescher (+34). Ryan Preece is the first driver out of a playoff spot. He is 34 points behind Buescher.
Past winners: Eight active Cup Series drivers have celebrated wins at Richmond Raceway. Austin Dillon is the defending Cook Out 400 winner. The rest of the list includes Kyle Busch (six wins), Hamlin (five wins), Larson (two wins), Brad Keselowski (two wins), Logano (two wins), Buescher (one win), and Bowman (one win).