
Christopher Bell Secures First 2026 NASCAR Cup Win at Darlington
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.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Ryan Preece across Nascar.

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.

Christopher Bell broke a 33‑race drought by passing Kyle Larson with 18 laps remaining to win the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Christopher Bell broke a 33‑race winless streak by passing Kyle Larson with 18 laps left at Darlington, while the Chase saw nine of the top ten positions filled by its drivers.

In a dramatic finish at Darlington, Christopher Bell broke his 33‑race drought by passing Kyle Larson on the final lap, while nine of the top ten positions were filled by Chase drivers.

Christopher Bell captured his first victory since September 2023, ending a 33‑race winless streak, as the NASCAR Cup Series playoff picture was reshaped before the next race at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis.

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 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6, 2026, as Denny Hamlin holds a 25‑point lead over Ryan Blaney and Ryan Preece fights for a playoff spot, all broadcast on USA Network and streamed via Sling TV and other platforms.

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.

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.

The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway kicks off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase on September 6, with Denny Hamlin atop the standings and the event broadcast live on USA and Sling.

The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway kicks off the NASCAR Chase for the Cup Series on Sunday, September 6, with Denny Hamlin heading the points and Ryan Preece securing a playoff spot after a dramatic Daytona cutoff win.

The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway kicks off the NASCAR Chase for the Cup Series on Labor Day weekend, with Denny Hamlin leading the points after a recent Daytona victory by Ryan Preece.

Ryan Preece’s season‑ending win at Daytona not only clinches his Chase spot but also injects a million‑dollar boost into Jimmie Johnson’s Legacy Motor Club and exposes charter uncertainties for RFK Racing ahead of 2027.

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.

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.

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.

Ryan Preece secured the NASCAR championship by overcoming a 31‑point deficit from 17th place, while Jeremy Clements became the series' all‑time leader in starts.

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.