
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 Cole Custer 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 Cook Out Southern 500 will unfold on September 6 at Darlington Raceway, with Tyler Reddick on pole and Denny Hamlin leading the Chase by 25 points.

Tyler Reddick takes pole position for the season‑opening Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, with the Chase beginning on September 6.

The NASCAR Cup Series’ Cook Out Southern 500 opens the Chase at Darlington Raceway, with Tyler Reddick on pole after qualifying was canceled.

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 NASCAR Cup Series will hold its 27th race of the 2026 season at Darlington Raceway, with Denny Hamlin securing the pole position and a revised qualifying order revealed for the event.

The Cook Out Southern 500 began at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, with the field set by driver metric scores after lightning and rain halted qualifying, and Tyler Reddick claimed the pole as the Chase for the Cup Series gets underway.

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.

Ryan Preece clinches his first NASCAR Cup Series victory at Daytona in a dramatic overtime finish, securing a Chase spot while Shane van Gisbergen’s championship hopes evaporate.

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.

The regular season concluded at Daytona with Denny Hamlin topping the standings, Ryan Preece securing his maiden victory, and a compressed points gap setting the stage for a fierce postseason.
Ryan Preece captured his maiden NASCAR Cup Series win after a dramatic overtime finish at Daytona International Speedway, while Shane van Gisbergen and Brad Keselowski saw their championship hopes eliminated.

Ryan Preece captured his maiden NASCAR Cup Series victory at Daytona International Speedway, edging Zane Smith on the final lap to claim the 16th and final spot in the season‑ending Chase.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series regular season concluded at Daytona, setting the stage for a 16‑driver playoff battle led by Denny Hamlin.

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.
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29 will decide the final playoff spots, with Ross Chastain on pole and Ryan Preece facing a make‑or‑break showdown.

A dramatic qualifying session at Daytona saw multiple teams and drivers jockey for position ahead of the Coca‑Cola Zero Sugar 400.
Ross Chastain secured pole position after a two‑round qualifying format, while Gray Gaulding was ruled the slowest and left out of the 40‑car field. The race, scheduled for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, marks the final regular‑season event before the playoffs.

Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying at Daytona International Speedway set the stage for the season‑ending Coke Zero Sugar 400, with 41 cars entering the draw and one failing to make the field.
NASCAR’s final playoff qualifier at Daytona International Speedway will see 41 entries contesting 40 positions, with a 31‑point lead for Shane van Gisbergen over Ryan Preece heading into the weekend’s action.

Ryan Blaney’s third victory of the year headlines a dramatic finale at Daytona, where Denny Hamlin clinches the regular‑season title and the playoff field takes shape.