The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway Sunday for the 2023 Cook Out 400. The green flag is set to drop shortly after 3 p.m. ET (USA Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook lines around the 2023 Cook Out 400 odds, and make our expert NASCAR picks and predictions.
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2023 Cook Out 400: What you need to know
- Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson picked up the win on April 2 in the 1st stop this season at Richmond Raceway
- Larson has finished inside the top 20 in 16 of his 17 career Cup starts at Richmond, posting a 10.8 Average-Finish Position (AFP)
- Hendrick’s William Byron had a best speed of 117.101 mph in practice to lead all drivers, followed by teammate Chase Elliott at 116.364 mph
- RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher was the top Ford in practice, posting a best speed of 116.134 mph, while Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christoper Bell was the best Toyota at 115.870 mph
- 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick is on the pole after posting a 113.689 mph best speed in qualifying, while Richard Childress Racing’s Kyle Busch is on the outside of Row 1 after his 113.636 mph
- Busch leads all active drivers with 6 Cup wins at Richmond, posting a 7.2 AFP in 35 career starts with 1,530 laps led and 18 top-5 runs
- Virginia native Denny Hamlin has 4 victories in 33 Cup starts at what is considered his home track, while posting an 8.7 AFP with 2,206 laps led and 17 top-5 finishes
- If you’re not familiar with Cook Out, by the way, it’s a mostly a regional fast-food chain in the south with amazing burgers and Carolina-style BBQ
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2023 Cook Out 400 – Expert picks
Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:29 a.m. ET.
DENNY HAMLIN (+500) is one of the safest plays to win the race outright, if you’re more conservative. He always races well at his home track, posting 4 wins with 17 top-5 finishes and 21 top-10 runs with a circuit-best 2,206 laps led with an 8.7 AFP in 33 career Cup starts.
In addition, it’s a little more on the risky side, but playing HAMLIN OVER LARSON HEAD-TO-HEAD (-142) at FanDuel Sportsbook is worth playing. While Larson won last time out at Richmond, the driver of the No. 11 machine is always in the mix at the 3/4-mile short track.
2023 Cook Out 400 – Long shot
While this might not be a definitely long-shot pick, Penske Racing’s JOEY LOGANO (+2200) is worth a look at this price point.
Logano has 2 wins in his career at Richmond, while posting a 10.2 AFP in 28 career Cup starts, and that’s 4th-best among all drivers with at least 7 starts at the track. It’s hard to believe Logano is available at that price, so take advantage.
Hendrick Motorsports driver ALEX BOWMAN (+5000) has even longer odds. He won at this track in April 2021, and the driver of the No. 48 machine has managed 4 top-10 finishes in his 18 career Cup starts. Yes, he has led just 19 laps at the track in his career, but he has never had a DNF, and he has very long odds for a guy who has been to Victory Lane at the track within the past 2 seasons.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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