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Cook Out 400 Qualifying: Ryan Preece wins pole, full qualifying order for Richmond NASCAR race

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs08/15/25grant_grubbs_
Cook Out 400 qualifying order NASCAR
© Kristi K. Higgins/Progress-Index.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The racing order for the Cook Out 400 is officially set. On Friday, Ryan Preece blazed around the track to win the pole and, in turn, a first place start in the race at Richmond Raceway. Tyler Reddick finished second in the pole and will start alongside Preece on Saturday.

It’s a massive boost for Preece. However, it far from guarantees he’ll secure a victory on Saturday. After all, Shane van Gisbergen won the Watkins Glen International last week despite not posting the fastest time in the pole.

A new winner will be crowned at the Cook Out 400 this weekend. Austin Dillon, who won the event last summer, had his playoff eligibility removed in controversial fashion, due to him wrecking Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin to make it to Victory Lane.

The Richmond Raceway is an iconic track. The racetrack is a 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval that pushes drivers out of their comfort zones and into tight competition. While the track is short, its shape allows drivers to reach high speeds, making it a fan favorite among the NASCAR faithful.

The Cook Out 400 will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. To see the full racing order, look below.

Shane van Gisbergen looks to build on momentum

Shane van Gisenbergen has already won four races this season, but he’s far from satisfied. While SVG’s road course racing abilities are some of the best in the world, he still has something to prove on more traditional oval tracks. He’ll have a chance to show off his skills at Richmond Raceway on Saturday.

“Last year, I had a Trackhouse car, but it was sort of the base car and given to Kaulig to run. It would be a good car, but this year, when you’re with the same guys every week, and you’re driving the same car, I’ve just been able to build on the setup,” SVG said. “We’ve sort of been developing what we need from the car, and what I want. The guys have been able to give it to me, rather than doing one race and waiting a month or two for the next one. It’s just progression.

“I’m learning that from the ovals, what feeling I want from the car. But on a road course, I can tell them exactly what I want in the car, and they know how to give it to me. It’s really been a good help this year. I think we’ve gotten better as a car. The car has gotten a lot better, and that’s really helped.”

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this report.