
NASCAR Revives the Chase with Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington
The Cook Out Southern 500 kicked off NASCAR’s postseason, resetting the standings for the Chase and setting the stage for a 10‑race playoff run.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning A.J. Allmendinger across Nascar.

The Cook Out Southern 500 kicked off NASCAR’s postseason, resetting the standings for the Chase and setting the stage for a 10‑race playoff run.

The 2026 Southern 500 at Darlington will showcase 38 drivers across 36 guaranteed charters, including a full‑time replacement for Kyle Busch and two open entries, marking the start of the Chase.

The Cook Out Southern 500 kicks off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase with a full 38‑driver field, live Sunday at 5:00 p.m. ET on USA Network.

The Cook Out Southern 500 kicks off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at Darlington Raceway, with USA Network broadcasting live on September 6.

The provisional 2027 NASCAR Cup Series roster reveals several high‑profile promotions, team expansions, and lingering uncertainties as teams finalize driver agreements.

NASCAR has abandoned its 'win and in' playoff format, replacing it with a season-long championship that rewards consistency. Denny Hamlin tops the standings, but the revised point structure tightens the battle for the title.

A Saturday night showdown at Daytona International Speedway saw Ryan Preece take the checkered flag, while Denny Hamlin’s top‑10 run kept his championship hopes alive. With only five drivers contesting three playoff spots, the stage is set for a dramatic climax at Darlington Raceway.

Ross Chastain secured pole position with a top speed of 184.396 mph, while Chris Buescher qualified second. The race, the final event of the 2026 regular season, will be broadcast live on NBC for the first time, showcasing a full field of drivers from teams such as Trackhouse Racing, RFK Racing, Team Penske and Hendrick Motorsports.

A sudden thunderstorm forecast has put Saturday's NASCAR Cup Series qualifying in jeopardy, prompting a metric‑based lineup that could reshape the season‑ending race.

Trackhouse Racing is overhauling its No. 97 pit crew for the season‑ending race at Daytona, tapping nearly the entire crew from A.J. Allmendinger’s No. 16 team. The move comes as Shane van Gisbergen clings to a 31‑point lead over Ryan Preece in the driver standings, while RFK Racing’s No. 60 Ford sits just six points behind in the owner race.

With only two drivers left in the battle for the final playoff spot, Brad Keselowski’s championship hopes hinge on a victory at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, while Ryan Preece clings to a slim points margin.

Six drivers were eliminated at New Hampshire, leaving only Ryan Preece and Brad Keselowski in contention for the final playoff places, with the season‑ending race at Daytona set to decide the outcome.

With only two races left, eight Cup Series drivers are on the brink of elimination, and the outcome hinges on points and wins at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The upcoming weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway promises high‑stakes competition as the Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series tackle the 1.058‑mile oval in consecutive days.

With only two races left, the battle for the 16‑driver playoff field has narrowed, as Alex Bowman and several others were officially knocked out, setting the stage for a decisive showdown at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

A forecast of showers threatens the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, prompting NASCAR to rely on a blended qualifying metric that could place Ty Gibbs at the front of the grid.

The 2026 Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway will feature veteran Josh Bilicki in a solitary open car, underscoring a broader shift in the series’ calendar and qualifying format.

After a seven‑year gap since his last national‑series start, Elliott Sadler is slated to race at Richmond Raceway in Kaulig Racing’s newly revived Truck Series program, joining a lineup that has already featured a dozen other drivers.

Ryan Blaney secured pole position for the Iowa Corn 350 with a top lap of 134.191 mph, edging Kyle Larson and Joey Logano. Brad Keselowski’s qualifying crash may trigger a penalty, and the race will be broadcast live on USA Network at 3:30 p.m. ET on August 9.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series wrapped up its 14‑race schedule with a dramatic debut at Iowa Speedway, where Ryan Blaney secured the pole and Ty Gibbs took the championship point. The action now shifts to the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway.

The upcoming Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway will feature a full field of 36 entries, including 35 full‑time competitors and an open slot for Josh Bilicki, while Austin Hill takes over the iconic No. 33 car for Richard Childress Racing.

The upcoming Iowa Corn 350 will feature a reduced chartered lineup, a unique qualifying format and a live broadcast on USA Network, marking a distinctive finale to the 2026 NASCAR season.

NASCAR confirms a full 36‑driver field for the 2026 Iowa Corn 350, with Austin Hill replacing Kyle Busch in the No. 33 car.

The 2026 season will see the Cup Series contest the Iowa Corn 350 in August and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series host the Pennzoil 250 in July, both featuring full fields and updated betting odds.