The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs have arrived as 16 drivers begin their chase for the 2025 championship.
The 10-race playoffs kick off Sunday, Aug. 31 at Darlington Raceway, where drivers will seek to conquer the track known as “Too Tough to Tame.” The primetime race will be a test of skill and endurance, and a constant battle between playing it safe and utilizing the high line to go for broke with mere inches separating the car from the outside walls.
A victory today by any of the 16 playoff drivers guarantees automatic advancement into the Round of 12, but points will also be at a premium as the championship contenders strive to remain above the cut line with the first elimination race just two weeks away.
But the playoff drivers won’t be racing alone. They will still have to contend with the rest of the field, and those racers will be just as hungry to take the checkered flag and celebrate in victory lane.
USA TODAY Sports will have full coverage of the Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina. Follow along for live updates and highlights of the action.
What time does the NASCAR playoff race at Darlington start?
The Cook Out Southern 500 is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.
How to watch NASCAR race today: Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington
Date: Sunday, Aug. 31
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: USA Network
Streaming: Peacock, HBO Max, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
Location: Darlington Raceway
Stream the NASCAR race at Darlingon on Fubo
What is the weather forecast for the NASCAR playoff race at Darlington?
Drivers, crew members and fans alike couldn’t have asked for better conditions for the Cook Out Southern 500. The Weather Channel is calling for sunny skies and temperatures right around 80 degrees when the green flag drops. After the sun goes down, skies will remain clear, and temperatures will fall into the 70s and perhaps high 60s for the checkered flag. Precipitation will not be a factor at all tonight.
What is the lineup for NASCAR playoff race at Darlington?
Here is the lineup for tonight’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway (car number in parentheses; P=playoff driver):
(11) Denny Hamlin (P), Toyota
(19) Chase Briscoe (P), Toyota
(21) Josh Berry (P), Ford
(45) Tyler Reddick (P), Toyota
(5) Kyle Larson (P), Chevrolet
(1) Ross Chastain (P), Chevrolet
(20) Christopher Bell (P), Toyota
(23) Bubba Wallace (P), Toyota
(3) Austin Dillon (P), Chevrolet
(2) Austin Cindric (P), Ford
(24) William Byron (P), Chevrolet
(12) Ryan Blaney (P), Ford
(7) Justin Haley, Chevrolet
(22) Joey Logano (P), Ford
(17) Chris Buescher, Ford
(54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota
(99) Daniel Suarez, Chevrolet
(41) Cole Custer, Ford
(43) Erik Jones, Toyota
(88) Shane Van Gisbergen (P), Chevrolet
(9) Chase Elliott (P), Chevrolet
(16) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet
(8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet
(38) Zane Smith, Ford
(71) Michael McDowell, Chevrolet
(77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet
(60) Ryan Preece, Ford
(34) Todd Gilliland, Ford
(48) Alex Bowman (P), Chevrolet
(42) John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota
(10) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet
(6) Brad Keselowski, Ford
(35) Riley Herbst, Toyota
(4) Noah Gragson, Ford
(47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Chevrolet
(51) Cody Ware, Ford
(44) Derek Kraus, Chevrolet
(66) Timmy Hill, Ford
How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlingon?
The Cook Out Southern 500 is 367 laps around the 1.366-mile track for a total of 501.32 miles. The race will have three segments (laps per stage) — Stage 1: 70 laps; Stage 2: 160 laps; Stage 3: 170 laps.
What TV channel is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington on?
The Cook Out Southern 500 will be broadcast on USA Network, the channel for most of the Cup Series playoffs. Pre-race coverage will start at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington?
Yes, the Cook Out Southern 500 will be streamed on Peacock, HBO Max, Sling TV and Fubo, which is offering a free trial to new subscribers.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.