Richmond Cook Out 400 Fantasy NASCAR Confidence Rankings / Post Practice Predictions
On Saturday night, NASCAR will be returning to Richmond for the Cook Out 400. Richmond is a high tire-wear .75-mile oval that I classify as a “Shorter-Flat Track.” Other shorter-flat tracks visited this year that have correlation are Phoenix, North Wilkesboro and Iowa. Here’s a look at 2026 Shorter-Flat Track Average Finishes and 2026 Shorter Flat Track Total Speed Rankings.
On Friday, NASCAR practice was held. Teams only had 25 minutes and keep in mind teams have different agendas. Make sure you check out our Richmond Practice Notes, Richmond 10,15,20,25 and 30 Lap Average Speed Cheat Sheet, Richmond Practice Speeds and 10 Lap Averages and Richmond Group Speed Rankings.
Richmond Cook Out 400 Full Field Fantasy Rankings
1) Ryan Blaney
Start 1st / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – High
Richmond Outlook – Polesitter, Ryan Blaney is a super-elite performer at shorter-flat tracks and at Richmond, he’ll be tough to beat. Since 2025 at shorter-flat tracks, Blaney has the best average finish (6.2), the best Speed Ranking and the best Driver Rating. In terms of the results column on this track type, he’s finished in the top 4 in 7 of the last 8 races. Richmond was once a trouble spot on the schedule, but he had his best performance last summer and notched his only top 5, and that’s ultimately the most important race. Last summer, Blaney started 20th, finished 7th in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, had a 5.6 average running position (race best), earned the 2nd best Driver Rating and then finished 3rd overall. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Blaney ranked 3rd. In summer 2024, Blaney had a solid low double-digit evening. In the race, Blaney finished 11th, had a 13.4 average running position, earned the 12th best Driver Rating and ranked 8th in terms of Total Speed Rankings. In spring 2024, Blaney finished 19th. Over the Richmond races prior to that, Blaney had results of 14th, 26th, 10th and 7th. In practice, Blaney was stout and in Group 2 he ranked #1 for 15,20,25 and 30-lap averages.
DraftKings $11,000/ FanDuel $12,000
2) Denny Hamlin
Start 14th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Richmond Outlook – 5-time Richmond winner, Denny Hamlin will be tough to beat in the Cook Out 400 and the road to victory lane likely goes thru him. In the Next Gen at Richmond, Hamlin ranks #1 across the board for average finish (5.7), Next Gen Speed Rankings and Driver Rating. Going further back over the last nine races minus spring 2023, Hamlin has a 3.0 average finish and he’s 7 for 9 at finishing in the top 4. In terms of the results column in the Next Gen, Hamlin has 2-win’s, five top 4-finishes and he’s 6 for 7 at finishing in the top ten. Last year, Hamlin said his car was exceptional, but the #11 team couldn’t execute. In the race, Hamlin was caught speeding on pit road after finishing 3rd in Stage #1, had a slow pit stop in Stage #2 and was then later caught up in the lap 198 “Big One”, so his 10th doesn’t really look all that bad. In terms of speed, Hamlin ranked 8th. In 2024, Hamlin nearly swept the season and his average finish for the year was 1.5. In 2024 #2, Hamlin won the pole, finished 2nd in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage #2, led 124 laps, had the 2nd best Total Speed Ranking and then finished 2nd overall. Hamlin was leading for a microsecond in overtime but then Dillon wrecked him. In spring 2024, Hamlin didn’t have the best car but that didn’t stop him from reaching victory lane. In the race, Hamlin finished 5th in Stage #2, led 17 laps, had an 8.2 average running position but take note he was on pace to finish in 3rd until the late caution came out, in which the #11 pit crew vaulted him from 3rd to the lead. In terms of speed stats, Hamlin had the 6th best Total Speed Ranking and ranked 9th for Speed Late In A Run. Over the four races prior to that, Hamlin had results of 2nd, 20th (led 71 laps but got two speeding penalties), 4th and 1st. This year at shorter-flat tracks that have correlation, Hamlin ranks 2nd for average finish (4.0) and he’s tied for 2nd for Speed. Denny Hamlin had a quiet practice session, but I have no doubt the #11 will be a contender.
DraftKings $11,500/ FanDuel $14,000
3) Joey Logano
Start 10th / Projected Finish Range 1-6 / Dominator Potential – Medium-High
Richmond Outlook – Joey Logano is a super elite shorter-flat track performer who should be on your short list of favorites at Richmond. This year at shorter-flat tracks over the three visited, Logano ranks #1 for Speed and he recently smoked the field at North Wilkesboro en route to victory lane. At Richmond, Logano’s a 2-time winner and in 8 of the last 10 races, he’s finished between 2nd to 7th. Since 2022 #2 minus 2024 #2 where he was wrecked in overtime while leading, Logano’s average finish is 4.6. Overall in the Next Gen at Richmond, Logano ranks 2nd for Speed, 2nd for Driver Rating and has the 3rd best average finish (8.4). Last summer, Logano started 38th but that wasn’t a problem and he finished 4th when the checkered flag waved. In terms of Total Speed Rankings, Logano ranked 7th. In summer 2024, Logano was on pace to finish 3rd until overtime came out, and then he nearly snuck in a win until Dillon crashed him in overtime while leading (19th). In the race, Logano finished 4th in Stage #1, finished 4th in Stage #2, had a 4.5 average running position (2nd best) and was running in 3rd at the time of the late caution coming out. In spring 2024, the #22 was a rocket and Logano finished runner-up. In the race, Logano finished 5th in Stage #1, finished 3rd in Stage # 2, had a 4.6 average running position and then finished 2nd overall. In terms of speed stats, Logano ranked as the Fastest Driver Late In A Run and ranked 2nd for Total Speed Rankings. In practice, Logano was viewed to be one of the best and in group 2 he ranked 2nd for 30-lap averages.
DraftKings $10,500/ FanDuel $13,000
