The NASCAR Cup Series is gearing up for the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, set to take place on Easter Sunday. This race marks the first night race of the season and will be broadcasted on FOX at 7 p.m. ET. As we head into the race, Toyota drivers have been stealing the spotlight in 2024, but Chevy driver William Byron emerged as the first repeat winner of the season with his victory at COTA last week.
Richmond Raceway is a 0.75-mile short track known for its high tire wear. While not as extreme as this year’s Bristol race, tire management will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the race. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some prop bets for the Toyota Owners 400.
In the driver matchup between Austin Dillon and Josh Berry, Dillon is the underdog according to the odds, but he has a strong track history at Richmond. Over his last 11 starts at the track, Dillon has achieved six top-10 finishes and only finished outside the top 20 twice. On the other hand, Berry’s lone Cup Series start at Richmond saw him finish second, but his average running position was around 20th. Considering their performance so far this season, a top-15 finish should be enough for Dillon to win this matchup and potentially bounce back from a rough start.
Brad Keselowski is favored to win Group B, facing off against Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, and William Byron. Keselowski has shown impressive speed at Richmond and other short flat tracks in the Next-Gen car. Larson and Byron have had strong performances at Richmond but have also displayed inconsistency. Busch, once a dominant force at Richmond Raceway, has struggled in recent starts. Keselowski’s teammate Chris Buescher won last year’s summer race at Richmond, adding to the confidence in Keselowski’s ability to outperform three Chevy drivers.
As for the top Chevy car, William Byron is the driver to watch. While the Chevy cars haven’t shown the same level of speed as the Fords and Toyotas, Byron has proven that he can compete at Richmond. He led over 115 laps in the last two Spring races at the track and demonstrated top-10 speed at this year’s Phoenix race, which provides a comparable experience to Richmond. While Larson and Busch pose strong competition, Byron’s consistent performance and ability to lead the Chevy brigade make him a reliable pick.
In terms of winning manufacturer, Toyota is the clear favorite with all four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers dominating the odds board. Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr., both past Richmond winners, along with Christopher Bell and Ty Gibbs, have showcased their competitiveness at the track. In the Phoenix race, which serves as a good comparison to Richmond, Toyota drivers led 298 out of 312 laps. With such dominance, it’s highly likely that we’ll see multiple Toyota drivers contending for the win.
As we anticipate the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, these prop bets offer insights into potential outcomes based on historical performance and current form. With Toyota drivers leading the pack in terms of odds and performance, it’s shaping up to be an exciting race filled with fierce competition.
