Cook Out 400 2026

The history of Richmond Raceway begins in 1946, when a half-mile dirt-track circuit was constructed on the grounds of the Atlantic Rural Exposition, once known as Strawberry Hill. Initially, horse racing and open-wheel competitions were held there, with Ted Horn winning the first major race on the dusty oval. It wasn’t until 1953 that stock car racing officially arrived, when Lee Petty claimed victory in the first NASCAR-sanctioned race at this venue, laying the foundation for the track’s later significance.

In 1968, the track was paved, but it remained a relatively inconspicuous venue on the NASCAR calendar. Operating under the name Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway from 1969 to 1988, the facility was comprehensively modernized by owner Paul Sawyer to make it fit for NASCAR’s prestigious fall race. This upgrade marked the beginning of the modern era and led to the 1988 renaming to Richmond International Raceway, a name that endured until 2017, before the track received its present, simpler name of Richmond Raceway.

To this day, the facility presents itself as a 0.75-mile or 1.207-kilometer D-shaped oval track with four turns. The progressive banking creates special challenges: the turns feature a banking of 14 degrees, the front straightaway 8 degrees, and the back straightaway just 2 degrees. This combination makes Richmond a technically demanding course where tight, contact-heavy racing is the order of the day, which is why the track has earned the reputation as

America’s premier short track.

With now over 100 NASCAR Cup Series races held here, Richmond ranks among the most traditional stops on the calendar and is visited twice a year. The list of winners reads like a who’s who of stock car racing, supplemented by countless memorable duels in close quarters. Most recently, Austin Dillon prevailed in 2025 and joined the long lineage of successful drivers who have triumphed on this short but challenging track.

For the 2026 edition of the Cook Out 400, expectations remain correspondingly high: tight racing, numerous lead changes, and tactical tire strategies are standard fare at this track. The blend of historical depth and modern racing spectacle makes Richmond Raceway one of the cornerstones of the season, where drivers and fans alike can look forward to exciting competitions.