The NASCAR Cup Series announced the 2026 Southern 500 entry list at Darlington Raceway, confirming 36 guaranteed charters and a total of 38 drivers, with the event slated as the final race of the regular season and the opening round of the Chase.
Entry List and Schedule Implications
Austin Hill will take the wheel of the No. 33 entry for Richard Childress Racing, stepping into the car previously occupied by Kyle Busch, while Chad Finchum and Corey Heim have been named as the open entries for the competition.
The field features a blend of seasoned veterans and rising talents, including Ross Chastain, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Kyle Larson, Brad Keselowski, Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace and Alex Bowman, all of whom are expected to be prominent contenders as the Chase gets underway.
Beyond the Cup Series, the NASCAR Truck Series is scheduled to resume its schedule at Bristol Motor Speedway in the near future, adding another layer of excitement to the sport’s summer calendar.