Seven months of NASCAR Cup Series action have led to this: the Cook Out Southern 500. The second event at Darlington Raceway of the year marks the regular season finale. Sunday is the final opportunity to solidify the standings ahead of the 10-race Cup Series playoffs.
Darlington’s unique, egg-like oval shape makes it one of the more challenging tracks on the calendar. It doesn’t boast the high speeds of Daytona like last weekend but tests drivers with some of the highest tire wear on the calendar.
Will a new winner emerge Sunday night to punch their ticket to the playoffs? Here’s what you need to know ahead of the Cook Out Southern 500:
What time does the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington start?
The Cook Out Southern 500 starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.
What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington on?
USA Network is broadcasting the Cook Out Southern 500 with a pre-race show starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington?
The Cook Out Southern 500 can be live streamed on the NBCSports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo.
How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington?
The Cook Out Southern 500 is 367 laps around the 1.366-mile track for a total of 501.322 miles. The race will feature three segments (laps per stage) – Stage 1: 115 laps; Stage 2: 115 laps; Stage 3: 137 laps.
Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup races at Darlington?
Last year, the Cook Out Southern 500 marked the opening round of the Cup Series playoffs. Kyle Larson led the final 55 laps to take the win over Reddick and Buescher.
Which drivers have already clinched berths in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
Drivers can clinch a playoff spot with a regular season victory. Thirteen drivers have done so through last week in Daytona:
William Byron (Daytona 500, EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, Cook Out 400)
Daniel Suárez (Ambetter Health 400)
Kyle Larson (Pennzoil 400, AdventHealth 400, Toyota/Save Mart 350, Brickyard 400)
Christopher Bell (Shriners Children’s 500, Coca-Cola 600, USA Today 301)
Denny Hamlin (Food City 500, Toyota Owners 400, Würth 400)
Chase Elliott (Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400)
Tyler Reddick (GEICO 500, FireKeepers Casino 400)
Brad Keselowski (Goodyear 400)
Austin Cindric (Enjoy Illinois 300)
Ryan Blaney (Iowa Corn 350, Great American Getaway 400)
Joey Logano (Ally 400)
Alex Bowman (Grant Park 165)
Harrison Burton (Coke Zero Sugar 400)
NOTE: Austin Dillon won the Aug. 11 race at Richmond Raceway but NASCAR stripped him of an automatic playoff berth after reviewing the final lap of the race, and communication from the Richard Childress Racing No. 3 team. Dillon wrecked Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin on the final lap before taking the checkered flag. An appeals panel upheld the penalty.
What is the lineup for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington?
1. Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing, Toyota
2. Carson Hocevar, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet
3. Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
4. Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
5. Martin Truex Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
6. Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing, Toyota
7. Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Ford
8. William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
9. Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
10. Chris Buescher, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, Ford
11. Austin Cindric, Team Penske, Ford
12. Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, Ford
13. Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
14. Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota
15. Josh Berry, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
16. Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
17. Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet
18. John Hunter Nemechek, Legacy Motor Club, Toyota
19. Corey Lajoie, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet
20. Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
21. Justin Haley, Rick Ware Racing, Chevrolet
22. Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet
23. Joey Logano, Team Penske, Ford
24. Harrison Burton, Wood Brothers Racing, Ford
25. Daniel Hemric, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet
26. Zane Smith, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet
27. Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet
28. Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club, Toyota
29. Noah Gragson, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
30. Ryan Preece, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford
31. Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
32. Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet
33. Todd Gilliland, Front Row Motorsports, Ford
34. Shane van Gisbergen, Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet
35. Kaz Grala, Rick Ware Racing, Chevrolet
36. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., JTG Daugherty Racing, Chevrolet
37. Timmy Hill, Power Source, Ford
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