The proving grounds have finally arrived in NASCAR. Find out how to watch the NASCAR Cup Series Chase begin the postseason in the Palmetto State with the Cook Out Southern 500 today.

Chase Briscoe came close to winning a third straight Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday night. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver led 30 laps and stayed near the front for most of the race. But a late restart dropped him to sixth in the opening race of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase.

Joe Gibbs Racing showed its dominance again with Christopher Bell’s victory in the Chase-opening Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

Bell moved from sixth place to second, just 12 points behind leader Denny Hamlin, after the first of 10 playoff races.

Few go to Darlington Raceway expecting an incident-free afternoon. The track is old, narrow, and absolutely merciless on tires, making it the perfect venue to open the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Chase.

Bell’s crazy, frustrating season of seven second-place finishes without a victory at last came to an end with a win at the Southern 500 on Sunday night.

Drivers have one final shot at the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs at the Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington. The toughest track in the league, called "The Track Too Tough to Tame," it's quite a way to go out of the regular season. It'll be a dogfight to the ...

Why is the NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington delayed today? Here’s the reason for the delay and updates on when the race will restart.

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