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Chase Briscoe aims to make history at Darlington Raceway with a third consecutive Southern 500 victory, a feat that would boost his NASCAR Cup Championship campaign while Denny Hamlin and Ryan Preece prepare for a pivotal playoff stretch.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase begins Sunday at Darlington Raceway, where Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney and other top drivers battle for the championship amid a historic track known for big storylines.
Chase Briscoe is on the verge of making NASCAR history by capturing a third consecutive Southern 500 win at Darlington Raceway, a feat previously accomplished by only seven drivers, while Denny Hamlin steadies his playoff position with a 45‑point advantage.
Carson Kvapil will lead the field to green on September 5 at Darlington, sharing the front row with Justin Allgaier, while 12 Chase drivers occupy the top 15 and the race promises 147 laps of high‑speed action broadcast on CW and streamed across multiple platforms.
Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Ford survived three inspection attempts at Darlington, lost its pit stall and saw its crew chief removed, yet the Chase leaderboard remains unchanged.
Chase Briscoe’s pursuit of a third consecutive Southern 500 win puts him in elite company and fuels his championship aspirations as the playoff field prepares for a tightly contested race.
Chase Briscoe seeks his third straight Southern 500 triumph at Darlington Raceway, a feat that would surpass Jeff Gordon’s mark, while Denny Hamlin battles a 45‑point deficit in the playoff standings.
After a crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway left him with a concussion, Riley Herbst withdrew from the Daytona race despite passing medical tests, illustrating the hidden dangers of head injuries in racing.
After a concussion forced him out of the Daytona 500, Riley Herbst has been cleared to return for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, marking his first Cup Series start since the injury.
Kvapil’s 30.424‑second lap earned him pole position, his first in 67 series starts and the opening effort of the 2026 season.
Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 team faces a NASCAR penalty after two inspection violations, resulting in a crew member’s ejection and loss of pit selection, while a lightning delay briefly halted action at Darlington Raceway before the Chase race proceeds.
Bubba Wallace enters the NASCAR playoffs without a regular‑season win, relying on 23XI Racing’s recent successes and Michael Jordan’s high standards to contend for a championship.
Alpha Prime Racing, recognized as the 2025 Best Independent Organization, will transition from its current manufacturer to the Ford Mustang in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series beginning in 2027, a move supported by a partnership with Roush Yates Engines and substantial investment in personnel and infrastructure.
The NASCAR O'Reilly Series Fleetio 200 will take place on September 5 at Darlington Raceway, with Carson Kvapil on pole and Justin Allgaier alongside, and the event will be televised on the CW Network.
Denny Hamlin has criticized NASCAR’s Chase format, saying it prevents drivers outside the top 16 from improving their standings even when they win races, a point highlighted by Ryan Preece’s Daytona win and Shane van Gisbergen’s elimination.
Denny Hamlin decries the NASCAR Chase as unfair, while Ryan Preece’s Daytona win secures a Chase spot and Shane van Gisbergen’s season ends prematurely under the rigid format.
The 2027 NASCAR Cup Series roster is taking shape, with confirmed driver movements, retirements and new signings across the sport's top teams.
Carson Kvapil will lead the field from the pole at Darlington Raceway on September 5, with 52 competitors vying for victory over 147 laps and 200 miles.
Qualifying saw Carson Kvapil earn the pole with a lap of 30.424 seconds, while Parker Retzlaff posted the quickest practice time of 30.300 seconds, setting the stage for a competitive race at Darlington Raceway.
NASCAR will allow rear spring changes during practice at Darlington Raceway, enhancing setup flexibility for teams and potentially influencing future series rules.
NASCAR will permit rear spring changes during practice at Darlington Raceway, a move designed to give teams more setup freedom and potentially pave the way for broader rule changes across series.
The 2026 NASCAR Chase begins on September 6 at Darlington, with Denny Hamlin holding a 25‑point lead over Ford’s Ryan Blaney, who is predicted to claim the championship amid strong team adjustments and a points system that rewards wins.
RFK Racing has earned multiple entries into the NASCAR Cup Series postseason, spotlighting Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece as key contenders for the season's final stretch.
The NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Darlington Raceway on September 5 sets the stage for a high‑stakes race, with Denny Hamlin leading and Ryan Blaney close behind.