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The NASCAR Cup Series arrives at one of its most historic short tracks with the Cook Out 400 on the half-mile bullring at Martinsville Speedway. Entering this weekend, Tyler Reddick sits atop the championship, holding a commanding 95-point advantage after securing four victories in the first six events of the season. The run has put Reddick and 23XI Racing in the spotlight, but short-track races often reshuffle expectations, and Martinsville’s tight confines reward patience and track position as much as raw speed.
This preview covers the essentials: the official weekend schedule across Friday, March 27 to Sunday, March 29; how to watch and listen on TV, streaming and radio; the headline contenders and betting context; and the entry-list notes that affect the field. Expect a high-intensity, contact-prone race over 400 laps, where pit strategy and restarts will play pivotal roles through the event’s three stages.
Weekend schedule and broadcast details
The Martinsville program begins on Friday, March 27, with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice at 4:30pm EST and qualifying at 5:30pm EST, both available via the CW app. Friday night continues with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event (200 laps) broadcast on FloRacing at 7:00pm EST. On Saturday, March 28, the Cup Series runs a practice at 12:30pm and qualifying at 1:40pm, both on Prime Video, while the O’Reilly series runs its 250-lap race at 3:30pm EST on The CW. Sunday, March 29 begins with the NASCAR RaceDay pre-race show on FOX Sports 1 at 2:00pm EST, and the Cup green flag is set for 3:41pm EST on FOX Sports 1. Canadian viewers can find coverage on TSN, and international streaming options are available through regional partners. Fans wanting onboard perspectives should note that in-car cameras will stream via HBO Max. Race audio is carried by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Contenders, early odds and narrative storylines
Despite Reddick’s points lead, sportsbooks list Ryan Blaney and Denny hamlin as early favorites for Martinsville. Both drivers have celebrated Cup wins this season and enter the weekend with strong short-track credentials. The betting market (DraftKings odds published prior to the race) puts Blaney and Hamlin at similar pricing, reflecting recent form and past success on tight circuits. Reddick, while leading the standings, opened at longer odds, illustrating how a hot streak in points doesn’t always translate to favorite status for any single race on a short track where traffic, restarts and late-race cautions can overturn expectations.
Early favorites
Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin are the names to watch when it comes to pre-race favorites. Blaney has already shown pace at multiple venues this season, and Hamlin brings proven Martinsville performance — in the spring of 2026 Hamlin dominated by leading 274 laps and collecting the win. Those resumes, combined with strong team execution, place both drivers at the top of market attention as Sunday approaches.
Value picks and dark horses
Among potential surprise finishers, Ty Gibbs is worth tracking after consistent top-10s and a recent strong run of results — he finished sixth at Darlington and has been trending upward. Other competitors like Kyle Larson, William Byron and Christopher Bell offer upside depending on pit strategy and late-race incidents. The nature of Martinsville means that mid-pack cars can make significant gains through clean restarts and short-run grip, so bettors and fans should keep an eye on how setups respond during Saturday practice.
Entry list highlights and lineup changes
The official field for Martinsville includes 37 chartered entries plus a single open entry — the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet driven by Austin hill. A notable medical absence affects the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48: Alex Bowman remains sidelined with vertigo and will be out through the Easter break, with Justin Allgaier stepping in for the third time this season behind the wheel of the 48. That change reshuffles experience and chemistry for one high-profile entry, and teams with substitute drivers will be paying close attention to practice laps to tune setups quickly.
Notable names in the field
The entry list reads like a who’s who of the Cup paddock, featuring drivers such as Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe and Tyler Reddick. While not every competitor will factor into the closing laps, Martinsville’s history shows that persistence, clean pit cycles and savvy restarts can elevate unexpected drivers into contention. With the race split across three stages (80 / 100 / 220 laps), strategy across those segments will determine who is well positioned when the checkered flag waves.
How to follow on race day
For spectators planning race day viewing, tune into FOX Sports 1 for the pre-race show at 2:00pm EST and the green flag at 3:41pm EST. Use the CW app, Prime Video and HBO Max for supplemental content and live in-car views. Radio listeners should connect to MRN or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio for lap-by-lap audio. With unpredictable short-track dynamics at Martinsville, expect dramatic position changes and high stakes for drivers hunting stage points and playoff momentum.