The NASCAR Cup Series returns after the Olympic break on Sunday at Richmond Raceway for the 2024 Cookout 400. The green flag is scheduled to drop just after 6 p.m. ET (USA Network). Break down BetMGM Sportsbook's 2024 Cookout 400 odds line and make your expert NASCAR picks and predictions.
2024 Cookout 400: What you need to know
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin, a native of Chesterfield, Virginia, won the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond earlier this season on March 31, leading just 17 of 407 laps. He is in pole position for Sunday. Hamlin has taken the checkered flag five times at Richmond, with 19 top-five finishes and 2,243 laps led in 35 Cup starts, with an average finishing position (AFP) of 8.3. Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch leads active drivers at Richmond with 7.4 AFP (minimum three Cup starts) and six wins, most of which came as a member of JGR. He will start 12th. Team Penske's Joey Logano has two wins, 14 top-five finishes and 951 laps led at Richmond in 30 Cup starts, with an AFP of 9.7. He will start ninth on Sunday. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson has two Cup wins at Richmond, five top-five finishes, nine top-10 finishes and has led 329 laps in 19 starts with an AFP of 10.8. Larson will start 15th on the grid. Trackhouse Racing's Ross Chastain will start 22nd on Sunday with just one top-five finish in 11 Cup starts at Richmond and a dismal AFP of 20.7. 23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace will start eighth on Sunday. His career-best finish at Richmond is 12th and his AFP in 12 Cup starts is 21.8.
2024 Cookout 400 – Experts' Choice
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. For the complete list, visit the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub. Lines last updated at 2:29 a.m. ET.
Going into Sunday's race, Denny Hamlin (+350) is the favorite. He usually does well in races at his home track and will be a tough guy to beat.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson (+700) is the more valuable option but won't have the advantage of first-place pit stall selection. Pit road at Richmond is narrow, and choosing a favorable pit stall could be the difference between being in contention for the win or simply struggling for a top-10 finish.
2024 Brickyard 400 – Contestants
RCR's Kyle Busch (+4000) hasn't been at his best in the No. 8 car, but he should continue to compete against them, even at small amounts, at tracks where he has traditionally dominated.
Busch finished 20th in the Toyota Owners 400 in late March but will start 12th on Sunday. Don't be surprised to see Busch challenge for a win and a possible playoff berth.
If you're a bit more conservative, a plus-money Kyle Busch – Top 10 finish (+135) is still worth it.
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2024 Brickyard 400 – Prop Bet
JOSH BERRY — TOP-10 FINISH (-155) is a middling price, but it’s worth taking a bet on this prop.
Berry qualified at 117.601 mph and will start third on Sunday. He's the top-qualified Ford in the field. He doesn't have a long history of Cup racing at Richmond, but he has finished second and 11th in his past two starts, so a top-10 finish wouldn't be a surprise at all.
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