NASCAR fans couldn’t have asked for a better regular-season finale.
Ryan Blaney made it to victory lane in the NASCAR Cup Series’ race at Daytona International Speedway last Saturday night. The Team Penske driver earned his second victory of 2025 in historic fashion to close out the regular season.
Blaney’s win meant both Alex Bowman and Tyler Reddick made it into the Cup Series playoffs on points. Had Custer, Suarez or Haley taken the checkered flag, Bowman would’ve missed out.
With the playoff field set, 16 drivers are in contention for the 2025 Cup Series title. It all begins this weekend in Darlington, South Carolina.
Playoff contender William Byron led most of the race at Darlington earlier this year. But Denny Hamlin powered through following a late-race caution to get the win in the Goodyear 400, his second of four wins this season.
The first playoff race is a chance for the postseason contenders to establish themselves ahead of a run to the title. Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 31:
What time does the NASCAR Cup 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.
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.
Stream the NASCAR race at Darlington on Fubo
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.
Which drivers made the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
Here’s how the field stacks up on points with their number of wins in parentheses:
Kyle Larson (3)….. 2032
William Byron (2) ….. 2032
Denny Hamlin (4) ….. 2029
Ryan Blaney (2) ….. 2026
Christopher Bell (3) ….. 2023
Shane van Gisbergen (4) ….. 2022
Chase Elliott (1) ….. 2013
Chase Briscoe (1) ….. 2010
Bubba Wallace (1) ….. 2008
Austin Cindric (1) ….. 2008
Ross Chastain (1) ….. 2007
Joey Logano (1) ….. 2007
Josh Berry (1) ….. 2006
Tyler Reddick (0) ….. 2006
Austin Dillon (1) ….. 2005
Alex Bowman (0) ….. 2002
Who won the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington last year?
Kyle Busch pushed him hard at the finish, but Chase Briscoe held on for his first win of the season in the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sept. 1, 2024. This event was the regular-season finale in 2024 and was a thrilling race over 500 miles. Kyle Larson led 263 laps but finished fourth and, in doing so, lost the regular season title to Tyler Reddick by one point. This was Briscoe’s second career win and most recent until taking the checkered flag at Pocono on June 22, 2025. Busch, Christopher Bell, Larson and Ross Chastain rounded out the top five.
What is the lineup for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington?
Here is the lineup for the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race 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
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