NASCAR announced that the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway will begin at 5 p.m. ET, ten minutes earlier than the originally scheduled 5:10 p.m. ET, due to a 70% chance of rain that could delay the event.
Weather Adjustments Shape the Opening Race
The revised start time marks the opening event of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase, the ten‑race segment that ultimately decides the season champion.
Tyler Reddick, who currently leads the Chase standings, will start Sunday’s race from pole position after Saturday’s qualifying was washed out by the rain.
The driver of the No. 45 car, the winner of the Goodyear 400 at Darlington last March, has been the points leader throughout the Chase so far.
NASCAR has a history of shifting start times for Cup races when weather threatens full completion, as demonstrated by adjustments made to the Daytona 500 and Pocono events in recent seasons.
Denny Hamlin sits atop the current Chase rankings, followed by Ryan Blaney and other competitors, with point differences ranging from zero to 35 markers.
The series is committed to keeping all races on schedule despite weather uncertainty, ensuring that fans and teams can rely on a consistent calendar.