NASCAR’s Cup Series roars back into action at Richmond Raceway on Saturday night, August 16, with the high-intensity Cook Out 400 under the lights. This year’s edition marks the 137th time the track has hosted a Cup race, and notably, 2025 will be the first time in 67 years that Richmond stages only one weekend for NASCAR’s top division.
A year ago, fans were treated to a dramatic overtime finish as Austin Dillon powered his No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to victory.
Heading into this weekend, 13 drivers have effectively secured playoff berths through wins, leaving just three spots realistically up for grabs. Tyler Reddick sits comfortably above the cutline by 117 points and could punch his postseason ticket regardless of Saturday’s result on the 0.75-mile short track.
Behind him, Alex Bowman holds a 60-point cushion, while Chris Buescher clings to the final provisional place, 34 points ahead of his Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing teammate Ryan Preece.
For others, the road is far steeper. Kyle Busch, Ty Gibbs, and Brad Keselowski all face a must-win scenario, either at Richmond or in next week’s regular-season finale at Daytona International Speedway, to keep their championship hopes alive.
Here is everything you need to know about the Cook Out 400 Richmond race, including the start time for the race.
What time does the NASCAR race start today?
- Track: Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET or 4:30 p.m. PT
- Length: 400 laps, 300 miles | Stages: 20 laps, 230 laps
The Cook Out 400 is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET or 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, August 16. The race will be held at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia.
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV Channel: USA Network | TSN, RDS (Canada)
- Live stream: Fubo (U.S.) | TSN+ (Canada)
The Cook Out 400 Richmond race is available for live TV broadcast on USA Network in the United States. Streaming options are available on Fubo.
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NASCAR radio station for Cook Out 400 Richmond Race
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 90
Listen to the 2025 Cook Out 400 Richmond Race and every race of the NASCAR season on SiriusXM.
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NASCAR Cook Out 400 starting grid
| Rank | Driver | Car No. | Team Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Preece | 60 | RFK Racing Ford |
| 2 | Tyler Reddick | 45 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 3 | AJ Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing Chevrolet |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 5 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 6 | Brad Keselowski | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford |
| 7 | Bubba Wallace | 23 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 8 | Christopher Bell | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 9 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 10 | Michael McDowell | 71 | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 11 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet |
| 12 | Chris Buescher | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford |
| 13 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske Ford |
| 14 | William Byron | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 15 | Carson Hocevar | 77 | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 16 | Ty Dillon | 10 | Kaulig Racing Chevrolet |
| 17 | Josh Berry | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing Ford |
| 18 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club Toyota |
| 19 | Chase Briscoe | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 20 | Ryan Blaney | 12 | Team Penske Ford |
| 21 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet |
| 22 | Noah Gragson | 4 | Front Row Motorsports Ford |
| 23 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota |
| 24 | Cole Custer | 41 | Haas Factory Team Ford |
| 25 | Justin Haley | 7 | Spire Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 26 | Riley Herbst | 35 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 27 | Shane van Gisbergen | 88 | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet |
| 28 | Kyle Busch | 8 | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet |
| 29 | Zane Smith | 38 | Front Row Motorsports Ford |
| 30 | Kyle Larson | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 31 | Todd Gilliland | 34 | Front Row Motorsports Ford |
| 32 | Corey Heim | 67 | 23XI Racing Toyota |
| 33 | Ross Chastain | 1 | Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet |
| 34 | John Hunter Nemechek | 42 | Legacy Motor Club Toyota |
| 35 | Jesse Love | 33 | Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet |
| 36 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet |
| 37 | Cody Ware | 51 | Rick Ware Racing Ford |
| 38 | Joey Logano | 22 | Team Penske Ford |
NASCAR point standings 2025
Below are the updated standings ahead of NASCAR at Richmond.
| Rank | Driver | Points |
| 1 | William Byron | 812 |
| 2 | Chase Elliott | 770 |
| 3 | Kyle Larson | 731 |
| 4 | Denny Hamlin | 727 |
| 5 | Christopher Bell | 727 |
| 6 | Tyler Reddick | 710 |
| 7 | Ryan Blaney | 701 |
| 8 | Chase Briscoe | 674 |
| 9 | Alex Bowman | 644 |
| 10 | Bubba Wallace | 618 |
NASCAR Cup Series schedule 2025
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time | TV/Winner |
| Aug. 16 | Cook Out 400 | Richmond Raceway | 7:30 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Aug. 23 | Coke Zero Sugar 400 | Daytona International Speedway | 7:30 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
NASCAR Cup Series playoff race schedule 2025
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time | TV/Winner |
| Aug. 31 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway | 6 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 7 | Enjoy Illinois 300 | World Wide Technology Raceway | 3 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 13 | Bass Pro Shops Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 21 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at New Hampshire | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 2 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 28 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway | 3 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Oct. 5 | Bank of America ROVAL 400 | Road Course | 3 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Oct. 12 | South Point 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 5:30 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Oct. 19 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Talladega | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| Oct. 26 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| Nov. 2 | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |