The Cook Out 400, NASCAR’s annual summer spectacle, is set to light up Richmond Raceway on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. The event will feature a full slate of 38 drivers competing for crucial points early in the playoffs.
Pole Position and Broadcast Details
Ryan Blaney claimed the pole position after a tight qualifying session, edging out his rivals as the sun set over the 0.75‑mile concrete track. Coverage of the race will be split between USA Network on cable and a suite of streaming services that include FuboTV, DirecTV, SlingTV, and HBO Max.
FuboTV offers tiered packages — Pro, Elite, and Deluxe — each geared toward sports enthusiasts, while DirecTV provides a five‑day free trial and discounted rates on its Choice Package with ESPN Unlimited. SlingTV entices new subscribers with a low introductory monthly fee and the option to purchase 24‑hour day passes. HBO Max partners with Bleacher Report to deliver live sports from TBS, truTV, and TNT, ensuring that viewers who prefer a streaming‑first experience can still follow the action in real time.
The starting lineup reads like a who’s who of the sport, with Denny Hamlin slated to begin in 14th, Ty Gibbs in fourth, and Christopher Bell and Brad Keselowski also positioned near the front. Full‑field details list drivers such as Joey Logano, Connor Zilisch, John Hunter Nemechek, Chase Elliott, AJ Allmendinger, Austin Dillon, Riley Herbst, Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher, Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones, Carson Hocevar, Austin Cindric, Zane Smith, Alex Bowman, Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Cole Custer, Kyle Larson, Shane van Gisbergen, Tyler Reddick, Austin Hill, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Josh Bilicki, and Cody Ware.
Beyond the on‑track drama, the race venue itself — Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia — offers a historic backdrop for the series, having hosted countless memorable moments in NASCAR’s modern era.