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2026 Cook Out 400 NASCAR Race
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 3:30 PM ET (Green Flag Approx.)
Track: Martinsville Speedway
Track Type: 0.526-mile “paperclip” oval
Location: Ridgeway, Virginia
Laps: 400
Total Distance: 210.4 mi
Last Year Winner: Denny Hamlin
Last Race Winner: Tyler Reddick
Last Race 2nd Place: Brad Keselowski
Points Leaders: Tyler Reddick
Television: FS1
Radio: MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Short Track Chaos and Betting Value at Martinsville
The 2026 Cook Out 400 rolls into Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, a tight 0.526-mile short track where chaos and track position decide everything. This marks the seventh race of the season, and bettors should expect a completely different dynamic compared to recent intermediate tracks.
Tyler Reddick has dominated early, winning four of six races and building a strong championship edge. But Martinsville is not his playground. This is where specialists take over, and history suggests opportunity for value.
Denny Hamlin thrives on short tracks, while William Byron showed last year he can control this race from the front. Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports bring proven setups, while Ford teams like Penske and RFK consistently show speed here.
From a betting angle, this race opens the door for upset potential. Expect strategy, late cautions, and a finish where experience on short tracks cashes tickets.
Read on to see our pick for this week.
Here are the Odds for the Top Drivers:
Cook Out 400
Outright
Denny Hamlin +350
Ryan Blaney +450
William Byron +800
Kyle Larson +800
Chase Elliott +800
Christopher Bell +1200
Joey Logano +1200
Ty Gibbs +1400
Bubba Wallace +1800
Josh Berry +2000
Tyler Reddick +2800
Ryan Preece +2800
Chase Briscoe +3000
Brad Keselowski +3000
Austin Cindric +3000
Ross Chastain +4000
Chris Buescher +4000
Carson Hocevar +5000
Shane van Gisbergen +6600
Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
Get real-time latest betting odds & props here!
The Prediction: Ryan Blaney 9/2 (+450)
Ryan Blaney already cashed for us at Phoenix, proving he can overcome adversity and still dominate late. Now the focus shifts to Martinsville, where his numbers are elite. A 4.25 average finish with two wins in the Next Gen era stands out, and he consistently outperforms expectations while gaining track position better than anyone.
Short tracks have been his strength, and this setup fits perfectly. Even at a shorter price, the data backs it.
Propping up:
- Take Joey Logano +350 for Top 3 Finish
- Take Ross Chastain +450 for Top 5 Finish
- Take Ford Winning Manufacturer at +180
- Driver H2H Match Up Take Chase Elliott -115 over Kyle Larson
- Long Shot Bets – Ryan Blaney to Finish in the Top 3 and Joey Logano to Finish in the Top 5 +600
Bet on the Cook Out 400 at Bovada Sportsbook where you can get $250 bonus.
