Prior to the green flag of Saturday night’s NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, Joey Logano, the driver of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang Dark Horse, and Todd Gilliland, the driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will have to drop to the rear of the field.
Both cars had unapproved adjustments performed on them following Friday afternoon’s practice and qualifying sessions at the 0.750-mile short track.
Logano, who was set to start from the 38th and final spot on the starting grid regardless, was unable to record a timed lap in Friday’s qualifying session after he cut a right front tire and pounded the outside wall in Turn 4 on his 21st lap of practice.
Joey Logano Pounds Outside Wall After Cut Tire in Cup Practice at Richmond
Crew chief Paul Wolfe and the No. 22 team attempted to repair the No. 22 Ford enough for Logano to complete a qualifying lap so the team could transfer their scuffed set of qualifying tires into the race, but they were unable to do so. As a result, Logano will now be down a set of tires to the rest of the field on a night where an ultra-soft tire compound is threatening to make tire wear a crucial component of the race.
Gilliland was set to roll from the starting grid in the 31st starting position, but he will drop six spots prior to the green flag as he joins Logano at the rear of the field.
Ryan Preece, who comes into Saturday night’s race as the first driver outside of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs cutline with two races remaining in the regular season, will start from the pole position in the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford Mustang. This is Preece’s second career pole position.
Starting Lineup: Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway
Tyler Reddick, who is also seeking his first win of the 2025 season, will start from the outside of the front row.
The Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway is set for Saturday, August 16, and will be televised on USA Network with the race broadcast set to kick off at 7:30 PM ET. The approximate green flag time for Saturday night’s race is set at 7:35 PM ET.
