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

The opening race of The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series and the O’Reilly Series will take place at Darlington Raceway in September 2026, with a full TV schedule and a competitive field led by Denny Hamlin.

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.

Chase Briscoe aims for his third consecutive win at Darlington’s Southern 500, a milestone achieved by only a handful of legends, while Denny Hamlin and Ryan Preece battle for playoff positioning in a uniquely structured 2026 season.

NASCAR star Kyle Larson, still winless in 50 races, believes steady performance in the final ten races and a Homestead‑Miami finale can propel him to a third championship.

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.

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.

NASCAR’s qualifying for the Cook Out Southern 500 was canceled due to weather, and the starting lineup was set by performance metrics, with Tyler Reddick on pole and Daniel Suárez second, ahead of a field that includes several championship contenders.

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 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase begins Sunday at Darlington Raceway, where Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney and other top drivers battle for the championship amid a historic track known for big storylines.

Chase Briscoe is on the verge of making NASCAR history by capturing a third consecutive Southern 500 win at Darlington Raceway, a feat previously accomplished by only seven drivers, while Denny Hamlin steadies his playoff position with a 45‑point advantage.

Chase Briscoe’s pursuit of a third consecutive Southern 500 win puts him in elite company and fuels his championship aspirations as the playoff field prepares for a tightly contested race.

Chase Briscoe seeks his third straight Southern 500 triumph at Darlington Raceway, a feat that would surpass Jeff Gordon’s mark, while Denny Hamlin battles a 45‑point deficit in the playoff standings.

The 2027 NASCAR Cup Series roster is taking shape, with confirmed driver movements, retirements and new signings across the sport's top teams.

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 opening race of the NASCAR postseason, traditionally held at Darlington Raceway, has historically offered a strategic edge, with most recent winners advancing to the Championship 4.

The 2026 NASCAR Chase features a compact ten‑race mini‑season in which sixteen drivers battle for the championship, with only a hundred points separating the top contenders.

Denny Hamlin leads the Cup Series postseason with a 25‑point advantage as the Cook Out Southern 500 kicks off the chase, with Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick close behind.

An overview of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series playoff format, key drivers, teams and storylines heading into the opening race at Darlington.

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

Ryan Preece turned a terrifying Daytona crash into a historic win, securing his first Cup Series victory and a spot in the postseason.