NASCAR insider picks winner, top-5 finishers, dark horse to win Cook Out 400 at Richmond

The two-week Olympic break is over, and the NASCAR Cup Series officially makes its return with Sunday’s Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

Denny Hamlin won the spring race at Richmond earlier this season, and Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports is picking the Joe Gibbs Racing star to take the checkered flag once more at his home track. The Chesterfield, Virginia, native has five victories in 35 career starts at Richmond, and will start from the pole in Sunday’s race.

“I love winning here and to have five [wins] is certainly exciting and I feel like they have each been a little different,” Hamlin said Saturday. “It feels good to come here and still be able to perform 20 years later.”

Rounding out Pockrass’ top-five predictions are Chase Elliott, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell. Elliott is winless at Richmond, finishing a career-best P2 in the 2018 spring race. Just 10 points behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson for the regular season points lead, Elliott was fast in qualifying and will start fourth.

Truex came close to winning the Richmond spring race if not for Hamlin rolling early on the final restart. Truex, who owns three career victories at Richmond, will start on the front row alongside Hamlin. Though currently in on points, a win would lock Truex into the playoff field in what is his final full-time campaign in the Cup Series.

Playoff race heating up with Richmond on deck

Keselowski has finished 17th or better in his last 21 starts at Richmond. Over that time, he has tallied two victories, the last coming in 2020. In order to get it done Sunday night, he’ll have to come from the back. He qualified 29th but will rely on his experience to get to the front.

Bell has had success at Richmond in his short time in the Cup Series. He has finished sixth or better in six of his eight starts at the track and will start from the fifth position. Bell and the No. 20 team will be without crew chief Adam Stevens, who injured both his knees in a diving board accident while on vacation with his family. Car chief Chris Sherwood will be atop the team’s pit box.

Pockrass’ long shot is Ross Chastain who simply put, needs to win. His struggles of late have cost him, as he sits only seven points above Bubba Wallace for the 16th and final playoff spot. With four regular season races remaining, time is running out for Chastain. Chastain starts back in 22nd.

Green flag will wave at approximately 6 p.m. ET.