DARLINGTON, S.C. — The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin with the Cook Out Southern 500 today – Sunday, Sept. 6 – at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South, Carolina.
How to watch NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500
- What: NASCAR Cup Series playoffs: Cook Out Southern 500
- When: Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026
- Time: 5 p.m. Eastern
- Where: Darlington Raceway | Darlington, S.C.
- Channel: USA Network
- Streaming options: DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off your first month), FuboTV (free trial and $25 off your first month) and SlingTV
How do I watch NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 for free?
This race will broadcast live on USA Network with the green flag expected to drop at 5:10 p.m. Eastern. You can use free trials from DIRECTV and FuboTV, which also offer large discounts on your first month.
Looking for another option? Fans can watch this race on SlingTV with Sling Blue or combining the Sling Orange and Blue plan.
What to expect for NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500
The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin with 16 Chase drivers vying for the championship in a 38-driver field. Tyler Reddick captured the pole and is a co-favorite, along with Chase standings leader Denny Hamlin, who is 25 points ahead of Ryan Blaney and a five-time winner at the South Carolina crown jewel.
The track nicknamed “Too Tough to Tame” is a 1.33-mile egg-shaped oval that has been on the NASCAR calendar since 1950. The 367-lap endeavor has stage breaks at 115 and 230. Darlington tests mentality and composure with race cars screaming down the track right alongside the fence.
Reddick was given the pole by NASCAR rulebook after wicked weather washed away qualifying. He already won once at Darlington this season, earning the checkered flag back in March. It marked his fourth top five finish in his last six starts at the famed track.
Chase Briscoe is the two-time defending champion at the Southern 500. He has one win this season, a checkered at Chicagoland Speedway in July. A win would put him in rarified air with Jeff Gordon as the only winners of three consecutive Southern 500s.
William Byron is winless this season and will start 20th. He has the second-best average finish (10.3) at Darlington since 2023.
Watch NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 for free with DIRECTV
How many laps is the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
There are 367 laps in the Cook Out Southern 500.
Who won the pole for the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
Tyler Reddick is on the pole for the Cook Out Southern 500. Practice and qualifying sessions were cancelled due to rain and lightning.
How many drivers are in the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
There will be 38 drivers in the Cook Out Southern 500.
What is the starting grid for the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
(C) denotes Chase driver
- Tyler Reddick (C), Toyota
- Daniel Suarez (C), Chevrolet
- Ryan Preece (C), Ford
- Denny Hamlin (C), Toyota
- Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
- Austin Cindric (C), Ford
- Chase Briscoe (C), Toyota
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
- Austin Dillon, Chevrolet
- Alex Bowman, Chevrolet
- Christopher Bell (C), Toyota
- Brad Keselowski, Ford
- Joey Logano (C), Ford
- Josh Berry, Ford
- Riley Herbst, Toyota
- Cole Custer, Chevrolet
- Bubba Wallace (C), Toyota
- Chase Elliott (C), Chevrolet
- John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
- William Byron (C), Chevrolet
- Todd Gilliland, Ford
- Corey Heim, Toyota
- Ross Chastain, Chevrolet
- Ryan Blaney (C), Ford
- Kyle Larson (C), Chevrolet
- Shane Van Gisbergen, Chevrolet
- Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
- Ty Gibbs (C), Toyota
- Noah Gragson, Ford
- AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
- Connor Zilisch, Chevrolet
- Austin Hill, Chevrolet
- Zane Smith, Ford
- Carson Hocevar (C), Chevrolet
- Chris Buescher (C), Ford
- Erik Jones, Toyota
- Cody Ware, Chevrolet
- Chad Finchum, Ford
What are the latest NASCAR Cup Series standings?
- Denny Hamlin, 2,100
- Ryan Blaney, 2,075
- Tyler Reddick, 2,065
- Ty Gibbs, 2,060
- Chase Briscoe, 2,055
- Christopher Bell, 2,050
- Kyle Larson, 2,045
- Chase Elliott, 2,040
- Joey Logano, 2,035
- Chris Buescher, 2,030
- Daniel Suarez, 2,025
- Carson Hocevar, 2,020
- William Byron, 2,015
- Bubba Wallace, 2,010
- Austin Cindric, 2,005
- Ryan Preece, 2,000
Who won the 2025 Cook Out Southern 500?
Chase Briscoe won the 2025 NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500, marking his second consecutive victory at the race.
What is the weather forecast for the NASCAR Southern Cook Out 500?
According to the National Weather Service, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
What are the latest odds for the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
- Tyler Reddick +370
- Denny Hamlin +370
- Chase Briscoe +500
- William Byron +1000
- Christopher Bell +1100
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
