FlurrySports gives predictions and NASCAR betting odds for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway.
The stars of the NASCAR Cup Series head to a true short track this weekend, as Martinsville Speedway hosts the Cook Out 400 on Sunday afternoon. It marks the first race of the 2026 season contested on a track measuring less than one mile.
Nicknamed “The Paperclip” for its distinct shape, Martinsville is a 0.526-mile oval defined by tight, flat corners and heavy braking zones. That combination places an emphasis on corner entry and discipline under braking. As is the case at most short tracks, qualifying well and securing track position early will be critical.
Another key storyline entering the weekend is NASCAR’s updated short-track package. After showing encouraging signs at Darlington, attention now turns to how it performs at a true short track like Martinsville.
Below, we break down the NASCAR betting odds to win the Cook Out 400, including our top picks and predictions from favorites to long shots with a chance.
Cook Out 400 NASCAR Race at Martinsville Speedway
Cook Out 400
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. EST
Coverage: FS1
Distance: 210.4 miles (400 laps)
Stages: Three (80 laps, 100 laps, 220 laps)
Pole Sitter: TBD
Defending Champion: Denny Hamlin
Cook Out 400 NASCAR Betting Odds to Win
The betting board for Sunday’s Cook Out 400 reflects the unique nature of Martinsville Speedway. Track position and long-run pace tend to separate the contenders, but late-race restarts can turn the closing laps into a battle for survival.
Two of the three most recent Martinsville winners check in as co-favorites early in the week. Ryan Blaney (fall 2024 winner) and Denny Hamlin (spring 2025 winner) are also the only two drivers not named Tyler Reddick who have won in 2026. That momentum only strengthens their outlook in the betting market.
When it comes to track history, Blaney stands out at Martinsville. Over the last ten Cup Series races here, he has consistently been among the top performers, while drivers like Kyle Larson have also shown strong results at the track and sit near the top of the odds board this week.
As for Reddick, Martinsville has not been one of his strongest tracks historically. He has just two top-10 finishes in the last 10 races here, which helps explain his 14-1 odds entering the weekend. Still, with four wins already this season, that number could draw interest from bettors looking for value.
The table below lists the latest pre-qualifying odds for the full field heading into the weekend.
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Cook Out 400 betting odds are taken from BetUS Sportsbook.
| Driver | Odds to Win | Cook Out 400 | 2026 |
| Ryan Blaney | +500 | Austin Cindric | +6500 |
| Denny Hamlin | +500 | Todd Gilliland | +10000 |
| Kyle Larson | +550 | Shane van Gisbergen | +10000 |
| William Byron | +700 | Michael McDowell | +10000 |
| Christopher Bell | +800 | Justin Allgaier | +10000 |
| Chase Elliott | +900 | Erik Jones | +10000 |
| Joey Logano | +1200 | Daniel Suarez | +10000 |
| Chase Briscoe | +1300 | Connor Zilish | +10000 |
| Tyler Reddick | +1400 | Austin Dillon | +11000 |
| Ty Gibbs | +2000 | AJ Allmendinger | +13000 |
| Bubba Wallace | +2200 | Noah Gragson | +15000 |
| Ryan Preece | +2800 | John Hunter Nemechek | +15000 |
| Chris Buescher | +3000 | Zane Smith | +25000 |
| Ross Chastain | +3000 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | +25000 |
| Brad Keselowski | +3500 | Cole Custer | +30000 |
| Kyle Busch | +5500 | Riley Herbst | +40000 |
| Josh Berry | +5500 | Austin Hill | +40000 |
| Carson Hocevar | +5500 | Ty Dillon | +50000 |
NASCAR Betting Picks and Predictions: Who Will Win the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway?
Ryan Blaney (+500)
If Ryan Blaney wasn’t priced as the co-favorite to win the Cook Out 400, it would raise serious questions about the betting market. Even at 5-1, he still stands out as one of the top NASCAR betting picks this week.
Simply put, Blaney’s Martinsville track stats are phenomenal. He has won two of the last five Cup Series races held here, and was runner-up in the most recent event last fall. Over the last ten races here, Blaney’s average finish sits at a remarkable 5.6!
What separates Blaney from some of the other top-tier contenders this week is his ability to consistently finish better than his spot on the starting grid at “The Paperclip”. Last fall’s race is the perfect example, as he drove the No. 12 car from 31st on the grid to a second-place result.
Ford has consistently shown strength on short tracks in the Gen-7 era, and when that’s paired with Blaney’s recent momentum, it’s difficult to find a stronger option at the top of the board.
Value Pick: Chase Elliott (+900)
While Hendrick Motorsports has shown speed to begin the season, the organization remains winless — a surprising trend for a group that has historically thrived at Martinsville. While Kyle Larson and William Byron are legitimate threats to capture the checkered flag in the Cook Out 400, we’re looking specifically at Chase Elliott given the slightly greater return on investment that he offers.
At 9-1 odds, bettors are getting a driver who has finished inside the top four in each of the last four races at Martinsville. Elliott also owns third-best average driver rating over the last six starts here. Expanding the sample size just a bit, his average finish sits at 7.7 across the last ten races.
The No. 9 team is more than due for a trip to victory lane given that their most recent win came at Kansas last September. Given his consistency at this track, it sets up as one of Elliott’s best opportunities to break through this season.
Long Shot Hopeful: Ryan Preece (+2800)
RFK Racing has impressed to begin the 2026 season, with the organization showing speed at Las Vegas and putting multiple cars in contention at Darlington. As the series heads to Martinsville, that momentum — combined with Ryan Preece’s background — makes him an intriguing long-shot option.
Preece’s roots in modified short-track racing translate well to a place like “The Paperclip,” where physical racing and tight quarters are the norm. He’s comfortable trading paint and navigating traffic, traits that often prove valuable at Martinsville.
The results back it up. Preece has recorded three top-10 finishes in his last four starts at Martinsville, including finishes of seventh and sixth in his first two races with RFK Racing last season. He has also shown the ability to qualify well here, a critical factor at a circuit where track position can dictate the outcome.
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