Denny Hamlin won last year's spring race at Richmond Raceway.
NASCAR’s “short-track trilogy” begins this weekend at Richmond Raceway.
The Toyota Owners 400, which will run Sunday at the ¾-mile, D-shaped layout, kicks off three consecutive weeks of racing at Virginia tracks all shorter than a mile. Bristol and Martinsville will follow on April 9 and April 16, respectively.
There's no question the commonwealth’s short courses offer plenty of history and excitement.
When the green flag drops Sunday at 3:30 p.m., it’ll be the 133rd time Richmond Raceway will host a race for NASCAR’s premier level – the third-most at any track in history. Only Daytona (151) and Martinsville (148) have hosted more Cup races.
FrontPageBets takes a look at best bets and drivers to watch as NASCAR goes short-track racin’ at Richmond.
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(All odds courtesy of BetMGM and are subject to change)
Pick to win: Joey Logano (+1600)
You might not be able to find better odds for a driver to win at a track he’s run so well on throughout his career.
In 27 career Cup starts at Richmond Raceway, Logano has two wins and 16 top-10 finishes.
While his last win was in the spring race of 2017, in four out of the last seven races at the ¾-mile track, Logano has finished in the top five, including three top-3s.
Logano is currently third in Cup points and has one win and three top-10s this season.
At 16-1 odds, it could be worth picking the No. 22 Team Penske Ford to take the checkered flag at Richmond.
Top 5 pick: William Byron
There’s no question William Byron is the hottest driver this season.
The pilot of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy has two wins in six races, as well as another top-5 finish.
Byron hasn’t performed that well at Richmond in nine Cup starts at the short track, with just one top-5. However, Bryon did finish third last spring, and has the hot hand in 2023.
Top 10 pick: Denny Hamlin
The driver of the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota grew up just down the street from Richmond Raceway.
And his familiarity and love for the short track shows in his four career victories there. In 32 starts at Richmond, Hamlin has not only the four wins, with the last one coming a year ago, he also has 17 top-5 finishes.
In fact, Hamlin has finished in the top-5 in 10 out of his last 12 Richmond races.
And while Hamlin has struggled this season, grabbing only two top-10s, getting back to his hometown track could jump start his 2023 season.
Oh, and Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas have won six of the last nine Cup races at Richmond.
Odds-on favorites to win Toyota Owners 400
William Byron +500
Kevin Harvick +600
Kyle Larson +600
Christopher Bell +800
Denny Hamlin +900
Martin Truex Jr. +900
Kyle Busch +1100
Joey Logano +1600
Ryan Blaney +1600
Alex Bowman +1800
Ross Chastain +1800
Tyler Reddick +1800
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 23-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His "View From The Lazy Boy" column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
