Cook Out Southern 500 Launches 2026 Chase
The Cook Out Southern 500, the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase, roars to life this Sunday, September 6, at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, kicking off a high‑stakes stretch that will determine the early leaders of the season.
Television viewers can tune in to USA Network at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time, where the pre‑race build‑up begins, while the green flag is expected to drop at 5:10 p.m., launching a 501‑mile contest that will be broadcast live until the checkered flag waves.
Fans who prefer digital streaming will find the event available on HBO Max, which carries the full race feed for cord‑cutters and mobile audiences alike.
Race Details and Participants
The 38‑car field spans 367 laps, divided into three stages of 115, 115 and 137 laps, covering roughly 501 miles of the historic 1.25‑mile oval.
Denny Hamlin, the No. 1 seed in the Chase, enters the weekend as the points leader, while two‑time defending champion Chase Briscoe aims to secure a third consecutive Southern 500 victory, a feat that would cement his place among the sport’s repeat winners.
Other notable entries include Tyler Reddick, Sheldon Creed, who captured the O’Reilly Auto Parts Fleetio 200 on Saturday, and Corey Heim, who will drive the 23XI Racing Toyota for the event.
The $11.85 million purse underscores the race’s prestige, making it one of the richest single‑event paydays on the Cup calendar.
Saturday’s schedule featured practice sessions starting at 4 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 5:10 p.m., setting the stage for a competitive showdown on Sunday.
While the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the Craftsman Truck Series take a back seat this weekend, the focus remains squarely on the Cup Series, with the Cook Out Southern 500 serving as the marquee attraction.