Sunday, September 6 at 5:00 p.m. ET, Darlington Raceway will host the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500, the second event of the season at the historic 1.25‑mile oval after a weather‑induced qualifying cancellation, with the race scheduled for 367 laps covering 501.32 miles.
Chase for the Cup Outlook
Tyler Reddick enters the race as the outright favorite, his 4.76‑to‑1 odds reflecting a season that has already yielded eight pole positions, the most recent earned through the cancelled qualifying session, and a strong track record that positions him well for the playoff push.
Denny Hamlin, seeded eighth in the Chase, arrives on the back of three consecutive victories in late May and June, a surge that has vaulted him into a strong position for the playoff picture and added momentum to his campaign.
Ryan Blaney, who has paired with Reddick for eight combined wins this season, also brings a track‑specific pedigree, having finished third at Darlington in the past two Labor Day events and posting an average finish of 20.5 over his last six races there.
Christopher Bell has been a consistent presence among the front‑runners, regularly leading fastest laps and finishing in the top three of recent Cup contests, including a second‑place finish in three of those outings, underscoring his ability to contend for the win.
Ty Gibbs, meanwhile, has recorded seven Top‑10 finishes in Chase races this season, underscoring his reliability as the field heads into the second Darlington showdown and adding depth to the competitive landscape.
The payout structure ranges from a 4.76‑times return for the race winner up to a 16.66‑times multiplier for select outcomes, with additional betting options available through PrizePicks for finishing positions and race outcomes, heightening the excitement for fans and bettors alike.
The event forms part of the Chase for the Cup, a ten‑race playoff that will culminate with the championship decider at Homestead on November 8, intensifying the stakes for all contenders as they vie for the coveted title.