After seven months of NASCAR action, the Cup Series came down to one last race before the playoffs begin. The only way for Briscoe to earn a spot the playoffs was to win his first race of the season at the Cook Out Southern 500, and he came through. A couple of other drivers also made their final pushes into playoff positions.
Entering the regular season finale, 13 of the 16 playoff spots were set. Martin Truex Jr. clinched a spot – even after crashing out of the race in the second lap – thanks to his large points lead coming into the day. Ty Gibbs avoided trouble of his own throughout the race to stay above the cut line and take the final playoff spot by points.
But Briscoe’s hard-earned win and resulting playoff berth was the real headline of the day, as Darlington lived up to its reputation as one of the most demanding tracks of the year. Just like last weekend in Daytona, another new playoff driver emerged in the final moments before the Round of 16.
See how it all happened at Darlington Raceway:
Tyler Reddick wins regular season title
Reddick’s efforts in the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota despite his illness were just enough to win the regular season championship. Larson, driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, finishes the regular season one point behind Reddick.
Chase Briscoe wins the Southern 500
Briscoe will make the playoffs with his first race win of the season. Busch couldn’t quite come out on top – he finished less than half of a second behind Briscoe – and will miss out on the postseason push for the NASCAR Cup Drivers’ Championship. The win officially knocks both Buescher and Wallace out of the playoffs, and Ty Gibbs – driving the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota – gets the final spot on points.
Kyle Busch’s late push makes it a two-car race in the final stretch
With fewer than 10 laps to go, this race is likely coming down to one of Chase Briscoe – in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas – and Kyle Busch – in the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. Busch trails Briscoe by 0.25 seconds. The winner will clinch a playoff spot. The other is out of the playoff race.
Seventh caution of the day after a multi-car crash
Wallace and Gibbs, both fighting for playoff spots, were two drivers involved in a big crash that took out about half a dozen cars.
Wallace’s playoff push is likely over after the crash after Buescher made it away unscathed. Meanwhile, Gibbs is still in a good position. He’d need to finish 26 spots behind Buescher to not make the playoffs, according to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
There will be fewer than 20 laps remaining in the Southern 500 when the race resumes after the caution.
Briscoe takes the lead
Coming out of the sixth caution of the race, Briscoe makes a push for the lead on the inside in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. He passes Larson, who is driving the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and led for a large majority of the race.
Yet another caution for debris on frontstretch
Hocevar’s No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet had some debris come off of it, causing a third caution in the last 25 minutes. Every car in the lead lap besides Chastain pits during the caution.
There will be 26 laps remaining to determine a couple of things. First and foremost, there are several cars in position to be the race winner. If it’s a first-time race winner this season, they’ll clinch a playoff spot. Finally, there’s the race for the final playoff spot between Wallace in the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota and Buescher in the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford. Wallace needs to finish 12 spots ahead of Buescher for the spot.
Another caution as Buescher and Gilliland make contact
Todd Gilliland, driving in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, and Buescher, in the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford, made contact, causing a caution. It allows several cars to pit with just over 40 laps to go.
Buescher said his car seemed alright, but it’s a caution with some playoff implications. Bubba Wallace, who’s driving in the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota, trails Buescher by three points for the last spot in the playoffs.
Caution after Carson Hocevar spins
Hocevar, who started the race in P2 driving the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, spins at the bottom of turn three with just over 50 laps remaining. He receives a caution for the spin, and Ross Chastain – in the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet – was in the pit road. The latter lost a lap and would take the wave-around.
Larson leads with 75 laps to go
Larson still holds a large lead in the Southern 500 after 293 laps. Chase Briscoe is over four seconds behind him in his current spot as the runner-up.
Larson wins Stage 2; Truex clinches playoff spot
The driver of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet continues to dominate Sunday’s race. He wins the second stage of the Southern 500 over Chase Briscoe and is up to 10 points gained on Reddick for the regular-season championship.
Chris Buescher couldn’t get any more points driving the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford in Stage 2, which gives Truex enough of an edge to clinch a spot in the playoffs despite crashing out of Sunday’s race early. Buescher can’t catch the veteran even if he earns the maximum number of points on the table. If Buescher wins the race, Truex would still qualify on points.
Kyle Larson still firmly in lead during second stage
The 32-year-old is in a good position for a fifth race win of the season – and potentially a regular-season title. After a couple of pit stops in Stage 2, he’s still over one second ahead of Chase Briscoe’s No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford.
Cook Out Southern 500 Stage 1 results
Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (10 points)
Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota (9 points)
Chase Briscoe, No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (8 points)
Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota (7 points)
Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (6 points)
Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (5 points)
Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (4 points)
William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (3 points)
Josh Berry, No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford (2 points)
Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing Ford (1 point)
Kyle Larson wins Stage 1
Larson, the driver currently atop the playoff picture, won the first stage in Darlington in the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. It’s his ninth stage win of the season, and with it, he’ll have a chance to challenge for the regular season title. He gained three points on Tyler Reddick, who currently leads the regular-season standings, with the stage win.
Reddick, for his part, is driving through some kind of illness. He has been on the radio requesting crackers, bread and TUMS antacid from his pit team. Reddick also told his team he is throwing up and defecating in his car.
Austin Cindric penalized for uncontrolled tire
The driver of the No. 2 Team Penske Ford received a pass-through penalty when his pit crew allowed a tire to roll away during a stop.
‘It was all my fault,’ Truex says of collision
Truex took responsibility for the second-lap collision that forced him out of the race when he spoke with NBC Sports.
Blaney OK after collision
Blaney had received medical attention after his collision with Truex for an apparent arm injury. He said he was alright in a later update on USA’s broadcast and explained he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time when Truex overcorrected.
Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Blaney collide early
Truex Jr., racing in the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, almost made contact with William Byron in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and overcorrected himself right into Blaney’s No. 12 Team Penske Ford. Both cars are out of race after the crash around Turn 1 on lap two, and Blaney is receiving medical attention.
‘I’m an idiot,’ Truex said on his radio after the crash.
The collision has massive implications for Truex, who just needed a clean performance in today’s race to remain inside the playoff picture. Now, he’ll have to wait and see if his points lead entering the day is enough to stay in the top 16.
NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500: How to watch
Date: Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Darlington Raceway
TV: USA Network
Streaming:Peacock, NBCSports.com, fuboTV
Don’t miss NASCAR action with a Fubo subscription
Who is starting on the pole in the NASCAR race at Darlington?
Bubba Wallace, driving out of the No. 23 for 23X1 Racing, will be situated in the pole position to kick off the race at Darlington.
What is the lineup for Sunday’s NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
Lineup, start time and more information on the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 50 can be found here.
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
NASCAR Cup Series history at Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway was NASCAR’s first superspeedway when it debuted on the calendar in 1950. It also hosted the first 500-mile race in Cup Series history, the Southern 500, on Labor Day in 1950.
Which winless drivers are on the bubble to make the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?
The playoff field is nearly set. Thirteen drivers have secured a spot in the playoffs via at least one race win.
Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, and Chris Buescher are currently ninth, 10th, and 11th in the Cup Series standings, respectively, with no regular season wins. The gap from Truex Jr. to Buescher is 37 points. If there is a new race winner from outside of that group on Sunday, one of the three will not make the playoffs.
The following drivers have already clinched a playoff spot:
William Byron
Daniel Suárez
Kyle Larson
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Chase Elliott
Tyler Reddick
Brad Keselowski
Austin Cindric
Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano
Alex Bowman
Harrison Burton
When do the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs start?
The playoffs start next Sunday, Sept. 8, with the Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia.
NASCAR Cup Series playoffs schedule
Round of 16
Sept. 8: Quaker State 400 presented by Walmart | Atlanta Motor Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | USA Network
Sept. 15: Go Bowling at The Glen | Watkins Glen International | 3 p.m. ET | USA Network
Sept. 21: Bass Pro Shops Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. ET | USA Network
Round of 12
Sept. 29: Hollywood Casino 400 presented by ESPN BET | Kansas Speedway | 3 p.m. ET | USA Network
Oct. 6: YellaWood 500 | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. ET | NBC
Oct. 13: Bank of America Roval 400 | Charlotte Motor Speedway (Roval) | 2 p.m. ET | NBC
Round of 8
Oct. 20: South Point 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 2:30 p.m. ET | NBC
Oct. 27: Straight Talk Wireless 400 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | 2:30 p.m. ET | NBC
Nov. 3: Xfinity 500 | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. ET | NBC
Championship 4
Nov. 10: NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. ET | NBC
Who won the most recent NASCAR Cup race at Darlington?
Who won the most recent NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
Kyle Larson won the 2023 Cook Out Southern 500 in what was the opening round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs last season.
Who has the most NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 wins?
Jeff Gordon has the most career wins in the event with six (1995-1998, 2002, 2007).
Who has the most career NASCAR wins in Darlington?
NASCAR Hall of Fame driver David Pearson has the most career wins at the track with 10.
How many drivers have won NASCAR Cup races in the 2024 season?
Fourteen drivers have won regular season NASCAR Cup races in 2024, including:
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)
Austin Dillon* (Cook Out 400)
*= Dillon won the race but had playoff eligibility removed for it.
Logano and Ty Gibbs won the NASCAR All-Star Race and NASCAR All-Star Open, respectively, but neither race counts towards the championship.
How many laps is the NASCAR Cup race at Darlington?
The Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington Sunday is 367 laps. Stage 1 and 2 are 115 laps each and Stage 3 is 137 laps.
What TV channel is the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 on?
The 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 will be broadcast on USA Network starting at 6 p.m. ET. The channel will also have a pre-race show starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Will there be a live stream of the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500?
You can live stream the Cook Out Southern 500 on the NBCSports website and the NBC Sports app. The race is also available to stream on Fubo.
What is the weather forecast for the NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 race at Darlington?
The latest weather forecast from AccuWeather predicts 72 degrees Sunday night during the Cook Out Southern 500.
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