The NASCAR Cup Series will stage its 27th event of the 2026 season at Darlington Raceway, marking the second time the historic oval hosts a race this year after a spring date.
Qualifying Format
Qualifying for the Southern 500 follows a single‑lap, metric‑based format, with each driver completing one run that determines the overall lap‑time ranking; the resulting order forms the starting grid, unaltered by any grouping mechanisms.
Chad Finchum in the No. 66 entry posted the fastest lap, earning the top spot on the grid, followed by Cody Ware (No. 51) and Erik Jones (No. 43); Ty Dillon also featured among the leading ten, while veteran Denny Hamlin, who captured his first playoff pole at Darlington in 2025, is slated to compete in the event.
The race forms part of the broader NASCAR Cup Series schedule for 2026, continuing the series' tradition of showcasing high‑speed competition on one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks.