NASCAR Chase Kicks Off at Darlington as Hamlin Eyes 25‑Point Lead
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.
Sep 6, 2026
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Ryan Blaney
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Blaney across Nascar.
NASCAR’s Cook Out Southern 500 Poised for High‑Stakes Showdown at Darlington
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.
Sep 6, 2026
NASCAR Announces 2026 Cup Series Playoffs with Expanded ‘Chase’ Format
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will feature a 14‑race 'Chase' format, beginning with the Cookout Southern 500 at Darlington on September 6, and will be televised across USA Network, NBC and streamed on Peacock and Fubo.
Sep 6, 2026
Tyler Reddick on Pole for Cook Out Southern 500 as NASCAR Launches Chase
Tyler Reddick takes pole position for the season‑opening Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington, with the Chase beginning on September 6.
Sep 6, 2026
Chase Briscoe Surges in NASCAR Playoff Reset, Closing Gap on Denny Hamlin
NASCAR’s first points‑based playoff overhaul since 2013 has already produced dramatic shifts, with Chase Briscoe gaining 83 % of his points in a single reset and Denny Hamlin shedding more than three thousand points.
Sep 6, 2026
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.
Sep 6, 2026
NASCAR Cup Series 2026 Postseason Begins at Darlington
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series postseason opens on September 6 at Darlington Raceway, where a revamped points‑based Chase format will determine the champion among 16 drivers, with live coverage on USA Network and streaming on multiple platforms.
Sep 6, 2026
Darlington Raceway to Kick Off 2026 NASCAR Chase
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.
Sep 6, 2026
Darlington’s Southern 500 Sets the Stage for a Grueling 2026 Chase
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.
Sep 6, 2026
NASCAR Cup Series Eyes Darlington Showdown as Teams Bring Varied Strengths
With record‑breaking victories, emerging contenders and playoff seeds in flux, the upcoming Darlington race promises a mix of tradition and fresh competition.
Sep 6, 2026
Chase Briscoe Eyes Third Straight Southern 500 Victory at Darlington
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.
Sep 6, 2026
Denny Hamlin Poised to Lead 2026 NASCAR Chase with Consistency Edge
Entering the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase, Denny Hamlin sits atop the points standings with a 25‑point advantage over Ryan Blaney, confident that his team’s recent success at key tracks and a steadfast, unchanging approach will finally deliver the championship he has long pursued.
Sep 6, 2026
Darlington Raceway: The Timeless Challenge of NASCAR’s ‘Lady in Black’
From its 1950 opening to the 2026 Southern 500, Darlington Raceway blends a distinctive egg‑shaped design, fierce competition, and a legacy of record‑setting performances that keep fans captivated.
Sep 6, 2026
Tyler Reddick Secures Pole for Southern 500 as Qualifying Canceled
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.
Sep 6, 2026
Ryan Blaney Prepares for Darlington Amid Pre‑Race Penalties
After a decisive victory at New Hampshire, Ryan Blaney now confronts pre‑race penalties that could complicate his quest for success at the demanding Darlington Race.
Sep 6, 2026
Cook Out Southern 500 Delayed as Darlington Raceway Cancels Qualifying
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.
Sep 5, 2026
Tyler Reddick Takes Pole for Southern 500 as Qualifying Canceled
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.
Sep 5, 2026
NASCAR’s 2026 Chase Rolls Out a ‘Swear Jar’ Fan Promotion
A new fan‑engagement twist turns every expletive into cash for a prize pot, with the Cook Out Southern 500 kicking off the 2026 NASCAR Chase.
Sep 5, 2026
Ryan Blaney’s Chase Hopes Undermined by Pre‑Qualifying Penalties at Darlington
Ryan Blaney faces a steep uphill battle in the opening Chase race after two pre‑qualifying inspection failures at Darlington Raceway stripped his team of a prime pit box and its car chief, jeopardizing his effort to close the 25‑point gap behind Denny Hamlin.
Sep 5, 2026
Ryan Blaney Set for 2026 NASCAR Cup Championship After Strong 2025 Season
Veteran driver Ryan Blaney enters the 2026 Chase as the second seed, leveraging ten consecutive postseason appearances, four poles and 828 laps led, with Team Penske and Ford backing his pursuit of a second championship.
Sep 5, 2026
NASCAR Announces 2026 Southern 500 Entry List Featuring 38 Drivers
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.
Sep 5, 2026
Ryan Blaney Faces Penalty Setback at Darlington Ahead of 2026 Chase
Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford failed NASCAR’s pre‑race technical inspection twice at Darlington Raceway, resulting in penalties that could hinder his pursuit of the 2026 championship.
Sep 5, 2026
NASCAR Sets 2026 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
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.
Sep 5, 2026
Weather Cancels Darlington Qualifying, Reddick Takes Pole as 2026 Chase Kicks Off
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.
Sep 5, 2026