Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Daniel Suarez across Nascar.
With nine races left in The Chase, Denny Hamlin remains the points leader while Christopher Bell and a host of other drivers battle for position, making Gateway a critical track for reshaping the playoff picture.
Ten of the sixteen Chase drivers faced significant setbacks on pit road at Darlington, altering the early standings and underscoring the strategic importance of flawless pit stops.
The 2026 Cook Out Southern 500 delivered drama at Darlington Raceway, where mechanical failures and a late‑stage collision reshaped the playoff picture, leaving Bell atop the standings and Hamlin still in command.
Christopher Bell captured his maiden 2026 NASCAR Cup victory at Darlington Raceway, ending a near‑year winless stretch and marking a pivotal moment in a season that had been dominated by consistent near‑misses.
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.
Bell broke his lengthy winless run with a late‑race pass on Larson, while Hamlin holds the points lead heading into the final stretch.
Christopher Bell dominated the Cook Out Southern 500, earning 73 points and the fastest lap, setting the tone for a competitive Chase that begins with ten races.
Bell’s victory at the Southern 500 propels him into a tight championship battle with Denny Hamlin, while the playoff race heads to Worldwide Technology Raceway.
Christopher Bell captured the NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway with a decisive pass on Kyle Larson in the final laps, ending a winless 2026 season and moving into second place in the championship.
Tyler Reddick captured Stage 1, Christopher Bell took Stage 2 and ultimately the race, while rain and caution flags reshaped the competition at Darlington Raceway.
Denny Hamlin maintained his lead in the NASCAR Cup Series Chase after the Darlington race, holding a 12‑point edge over Christopher Bell, who captured his first victory since Bristol a year earlier.
NASCAR has adjusted the Darlington Southern 500 start time to 5 p.m. ET to capture more daylight before worsening evening weather, while forecasts predict a high chance of rain and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.
The 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Chase starts on September 6 with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, a 367‑lap event that will set the tone for a season‑long playoff.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase opens with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, where Denny Hamlin holds a 25‑point advantage and Tyler Reddick starts on pole.
The NASCAR Cup Series Chase begins this weekend at Darlington Raceway, where Denny Hamlin’s five victories and 25‑point lead set the tone for a season‑defining battle.
Tyler Reddick earned the pole position for the Cook Out Southern 500 after rain washed out qualifying at Darlington Raceway, setting the lineup by NASCAR’s performance metric and leaving all 16 Chase Series drivers to start without prior laps.
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 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway opens the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase, a 501‑mile, 367‑lap event that challenges drivers with its unique oval design, relentless tire wear, and ever‑changing conditions.
With record‑breaking victories, emerging contenders and playoff seeds in flux, the upcoming Darlington race promises a mix of tradition and fresh competition.
The Cook Out Southern 500 opened the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at Darlington Raceway after weather forced a cancellation of qualifying, prompting the series to set the grid via its performance metric, with Tyler Reddick on pole and a competitive top five featuring Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece, Denny Hamlin and Michael McDowell.
Tyler Reddick will start from the pole in the Southern 500 after qualifying was canceled due to lightning, and he will be joined on the front row by Daniel Suarez, with the grid shaped by a mix of recent race results and owner points.
The Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway was postponed after qualifying and practice were canceled, with Tyler Reddick on pole and a deep Chase field set to battle for position on Sunday.
Tyler Reddick will start from the pole in the Southern 500 after qualifying was halted by lightning, with his five-season wins and No. 3 seed positioning him for a key playoff moment.