Nascar news

• NASCAR Darlington start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Southern 500

  06-09-2026 12:07 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Following 26 regular-season races, the NASCAR postseason has arrived with a revamped Chase format and the elimination of, well, eliminations.The Chase kicks off Sunday, Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway, the first of 10 postseason races. But the playoff format, which the Cup Series had used since 2014, has been scrapped. That means no more driver eliminations after every three races, and, perhaps more important, no more championship race.Instead, NASCAR is reverting to the Chase format it first impl
  
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• NASCAR Darlington winners, losers as Christopher Bell wins for first time in 2026

  07-09-2026 12:03 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Christopher David Bell is finally in victory lane in 2026.The 31-year-old claimed his first win of the Cup Series season in the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sept. 6 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.Bell moved up to second in points behind Chase leader Denny Hamlin and is among five Toyota drivers inside the top six in points.Here are the winners and losers from the NASCAR Darlington race this week, with three winners and a lone loser.POINTS AFTER DARLINGTON:NASCAR points standings: Cup Series
  
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• Southern 500 turns early NASCAR Chase into a dogfight

  07-09-2026 09:24 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoJoey Logano called the Chase for the Championship format 10 weeks of hell, and Denny Hamlin learned immediately that his regular season title afforded him very little comfort in the pursuit of that elusive achievement.On the other hand, the 16 stage points he earned over the first half of the Southern 500 somewhat offset contact from Michael McDowell that broke a right front toe link and a control arm in the right rear, leading to an 18th place finish.He was only in this position
  
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• Christopher Bell Kicks Off NASCAR Chase With Statement Victory at Darlington

  07-09-2026 09:18 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Aug 22, 2026; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell (20) walks to his car before practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. © Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesChristopher Bell snapped his prolonged winless streak with a Chase triumph at Darlington Raceway. The result marks Bell’s 14th Cup Series win, coming after seven runner-up finishes this year.Bell began Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 outside the top 10. The Toyota driver soon found himself among the top
  
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• New record set for fastest NASCAR pit stop by Bubba Wallace's No. 23 crew

  07-09-2026 06:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoDuring the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota pit crew of Bubba Wallace set a new pit stop record while changing four tires during the race.The crew completed the stop in 7.86 seconds, beating the previous record of 7.98, which was held by the pit crew for the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell and took place as Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March of the year. Those are the only two known four-tire pit stops under eight seconds.Wa
  
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• Ty Gibbs calls out 'squirrelly' metric used to determine starting lineup at Darlington

  07-09-2026 06:40 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoTy Gibbs got off to a strong start in the first race of the Chase on Saturday at Darlington, securing a second-place finish behind Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Christopher Bell.But despite the solid finish, Gibbs actually dropped two spots in the Chase standings from fourth place to sixth due to scoring just one stage point over the first two stages.After the race, Gibbs was asked where he thought he might have fallen short of the win, and he had an answer locked and loaded."I think
  
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• Who Won The NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 at Darlington? Full Race Results

  07-09-2026 06:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Full results from the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington. GettyChristopher Bell opened The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series by earning his first victory of the 2026 season. After passing Kyle Larson for the lead with 12 circuits remaining, Bell captured the victory in Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway. It was Bell’s first Darlington win, first victory of the 2026 season and 14th career Cup win overall. The win was huge for Bell’s championship
  
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• NASCAR Cup Series standings with 9 races left in the 2026 Chase

  07-09-2026 06:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR Cup Series began the Chase on Sunday night, and it was a thrilling show. Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team for Joe Gibbs Racing won at Darlington Raceway, earning their first victory of the 2026 Cup Series season. Meanwhile, Denny Hamlin struggled after damage, shrinking his championship lead.Leaving Darlington, Hamlin only holds a 12-point advantage over Bell for the lead in the Chase. There are nine races remaining, so there is plenty of time; however, it wasn't an ideal start fo
  
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• Kyle Larson doesn't regret strategic gamble he took at Darlington despite coming up short

  07-09-2026 06:17 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoSometimes to win in the NASCAR Cup Series, you have to take a gamble. And sometimes, that gamble simply doesn't work out.Such was the case for Kyle Larson on Saturday, who made the decision to stay out on the track with 24 laps to go at Darlington. All but four other cars pitted to take fresh tires.The decision put Larson in the race lead, where he would do his best to fend off those on fresher tires hunting him down. While he held on admirably, eventually he was caught and passe
  
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• NASCAR O'Reilly Series standings with 8 races left in the 2026 Chase

  07-09-2026 06:16 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR O'Reilly Series began the Chase on Saturday night, and it was a thrilling show. Sheldon Creed and the No. 00 team for Haas Factory Team won at Darlington Raceway, earning their second victory of the 2026 O'Reilly Series season. Meanwhile, Justin Allgaier struggled in the closing laps, shrinking his championship lead.Leaving Darlington, Allgaier only holds a seven-point advantage over Creed for the lead in the Chase. There are eight races remaining, so there is plenty of time; however,
  
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• Christopher Bell was in rare comedic form after winning the Southern 500

  07-09-2026 06:14 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoChristopher Bell was downright effusive after winning the Southern 500.There have been big victories over the years from the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and the World of Outlaws to wins across all three national touring divisions including the Coca-Cola 600 and Bristol Night Race.But the Southern 500 is the biggest of them all to date.“Wow, what a night,” Bell said afterwards. “Darlington is literally the track that -- it is NASCAR. Like, there is no other track
  
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• NASCAR reveals Cup post-race inspection results from Darlington

  07-09-2026 06:10 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR Cup Series competed at Darlington Raceway, and it was a major victory for a Joe Gibbs Racing driver. Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team won the 2026 Southern 500 at Darlington, earning their first victory of the 2026 Cup Series season. However, did Bell and the No. 20 car pass post-race inspection at Darlington?Bell's No. 20 car passed post-race inspection and won't require a trip back to the R&D Center, NASCAR announced on Sunday night. It was an impressive victory for Bell, wh
  
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• NASCAR pays $1,115 after drivers swore 223 times on the radio during Southern 500 race

  07-09-2026 06:05 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoNASCAR is pledging $5 to a swear jar throughout the final ten races of the year for every moment when a Cup Series driver swears on the radio ... and it didn't take long for the jar start filling up.Drivers were caught swearing on the radio 223 times during the Southern 500 at Darlington, and we know for a fact Ryan Blaney was responsible for several of those moments. Fans were joking how the 2023 champion, known for his temper on the radio, would be one of the top swearers durin
  
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• Christopher Bell wins NASCAR Cup race at Darlington in 2026 Chase

  07-09-2026 06:04 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  The NASCAR Cup Series competed at Darlington Raceway, and it was a classic. On Sunday, NASCAR returned to the Chase format with the 2026 Southern 500 as the first race. It was a long but exciting event that landed a Joe Gibbs Racing driver in victory lane for the first time during the 2026 NASCAR season.Christopher Bell and the No. 20 team for Joe Gibbs Racing won the Southern 500, earning their first victory of the 2026 Cup Series season. Bell passed Kyle Larson in the closing laps and held off
  
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• Why is NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington Delayed Today? When Will it Restart?

  07-09-2026 05:45 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Why is the NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington delayed today? Here’s the reason for the delay and the latest update on when the race will restart. GettyDarlington Raceway went under caution due to rain with 30 laps to go Sunday, and the Cook Out Southern 500 now sits on hold with rain coming down on the track. Drivers were told to stay in their cars as they idled on pit road.The red flag went up at around 8:35 p.m.Chase points hang in the balance for all 16 title contenders, and the longer t
  
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• Denny Hamlin reacts to Michael McDowell run-in that derailed his day

  07-09-2026 05:28 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoThe first race of the Chase did not go the way Denny Hamlin was hoping for on Saturday at Darlington.Heading into the Chase as the top car in the standings and the favorite to finally win his first championship, Hamlin was hoping to extend his lead on the field with a strong finish at the Track Too Tough to Tame.While the No. 11 ran out front to start the race, a poor pit stop later put him out in the middle of the field, where he made contact with Michael McDowell. That contact
  
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• Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney rescue stalled 23XI cars at Darlington

  07-09-2026 05:23 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoLate in Sunday's NASCAR Cup race at Darlington, there was a brief red flag for some light rain at the race track. When the race was ready to resume, most of the field fired back up – except the two 23XI cars. The No. 23 of Bubba Wallace and his 23XI Racing team-mate, the No. 45 of Tyler Reddick were dead on pit lane."Voltage is fine but starters dead," radioed Reddick. Neither driver was in danger of losing his position, provided the car could be restarted. In these situati
  
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• Official Race Results for the Cook Out Southern 500 At Darlington

  07-09-2026 05:06 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Sep 6, 2026; Darlington, South Carolina, USA;Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell (20) celebrates his win during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectPost-race inspection in the NASCAR Cup Series garage is complete, and there were no issues, which means Christopher Bell and the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team are the official winners of the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.NASCAR says the No. 6 RFK Racing F
  
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• William Byron confounded by engine blowout that led to DNF at Darlington

  07-09-2026 05:01 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoThe first race of the Chase is officially in the books, with Christopher Bell taking the checkered flag at Darlington on Saturday.The win was a huge boon for Bell's championship chances, bumping him up to second in the points standings where he trails Denny Hamlin by just 12 points.On the other side of the outcome spectrum was William Byron, who was forced to bring his car in early due to engine trouble.Over the radio, Byron was unsure what exactly had gone wrong with his car as
  
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• NASCAR Hall of Famers rip Carson Hocevar for dismissive attitude after spinning Keselowski

  07-09-2026 04:41 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoCarson Hocevar finds himself the center of attention once again after another messy day at the race track.With the NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington for the first race of the Chase on Saturday, Hocevar was competing for points that would hopefully push him up the points standings and further into championship contention. Instead, he left with more negative attention, and more frustrated competition.As the first stage of the race was coming to a close, Hocevar drifted up the track a
  
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• Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington 2026

  07-09-2026 04:39 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoAfter fighting back from some mid-race damage, Denny Hamlin leaves Darlington just 12 points clear of Southern 500 winner Christopher Bell.The biggest mover in the championship standings was clearly Bell, jumping four positions from sixth to second with his big victory. Bubba Wallace also moved up four spots from 14th to 10th.The biggest loser was William Byron, who dropped three positions to the bottom of the Chase standings after an engine failure.
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• Furious Brad Keselowski blasts Carson Hocevar: "His day's coming and it's coming hard"

  07-09-2026 04:30 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoIn the Chase opener at Darlington Raceway, Carson Hocevar made a new enemy in Brad Keselowski. Near the end of Stage 1, he got into the left-rear of the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford, sending the former Cup champion spinning out of Turn 4.Hocevar went on to finish 11th in the Southern 500. After the race, Above the Yellow Line Media caught up with Brad Keselowski, who had a stark warning for the controversial rookie driver: "His day’s coming and it’s coming hard. Watch o
  
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• Denny Hamlin’s Chase Lead Takes Massive Blow After Darlington

  07-09-2026 04:29 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin’s quest to win an elusive first NASCAR Cup Series championship in 2026 got a little trickier following the Chase opener at Darlington Raceway. After disastrous contact with Michael McDowell in the final stage, the driver of the No. 11 wound up finishing 18th at “The Track Too Tough to Tame.”Hamlin entered the Chase with a 25-point lead over Ryan Blaney after winning the regular-season championship. Following Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500, the Joe Gibbs
  
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• Christopher Bell Wins Southern 500 to Open NASCAR Chase

  07-09-2026 03:49 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Photo by: Jim DedmonChristopher Bell finally broke through when it mattered most.Bell won the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday night, capturing his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the 2026 season and opening the Chase with a massive statement win. The victory was Bell’s 14th career Cup Series win and ended a frustrating stretch of near-misses that had seen him finish runner-up seven times.Reddick Starts StrongTyler Reddick entered Darlington with plenty of momentum
  
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• Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Southern 500 at Darlington

  07-09-2026 03:48 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Motorsport photoWith 12 laps to go, Christopher Bell passed Kyle Larson and drove off with the victory in the 77th running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. It ends a winless streak that dates back to Bristol last September, and is now Bell's 14th career win as a NASCAR Cup driver.Bell crossed the finish line 1.038s clear of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs, and 2.533s clear of 23XI Racing's Tyler Reddick. Bell also won Stage 2, while Reddick won Stage 1.Nine of the top ten finishers
  
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• NASCAR Cup Series Chase Standings Sees Major Shake-up After Darlington

  07-09-2026 03:43 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin’s 25-point lead to begin the NASCAR Cup Series Chase was cut in half following the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. With Christopher Bell taking the checkered flag in Sunday night’s race, the driver of the No. 20 moves into the second position in the standings, 12 points behind Hamlin.Ryan Blaney falls to third in the standings after Darlington, but managed to gain nine points on Hamlin. Tyler Reddick ranks fourth in the standings, but is 24 points behind Ham
  
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• Christopher Bell Pulls Through; Starts Chase With First Win of Season

  07-09-2026 03:38 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Sep 6, 2026; Darlington, South Carolina, USA;Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell (20) with a lead during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect"It's been too damn long," that was the battle cry from Christopher Bell as he climbed from his No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota following the Cook Out Southern 500 on a night where he was victorious for the first time in 2026. The driver, who had been disappointed with a runner-up finish seven
  
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• NASCAR Standings after Today: The Chase Points Leaders After Darlington

  07-09-2026 03:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectNASCAR’s The Chase in the Cup Series is underway, with Sunday evening’s race at Darlington Raceway marking the starting point of the battle for the championship. With the Cook Out Southern 500 over, let’s look at the NASCAR standings today.Here are The Chase points leaders in the Cup Series following the first race in the 10-race chase. Of note, William Byron is the biggest faller in The Chase standings after an engine issue on the final stage re
  
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• NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Darlington race, Chase picture

  07-09-2026 03:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin preserved his NASCAR Cup Series Chase lead after an eventful Cook Out Southern 500 on Sept. 6 at Darlington, South Carolina.Hamlin is 12 points ahead of Christopher Bell going into next week's race at Gateway, the second of 10 races in the Chase.Bell broke the seal in 2026 with the victory at Darlington, his first win since last year at Bristol.Hamlin recovered from a broken toe link to finish 18th while bagging 16 stage points to minimize the points damage.Here's the updated NASCAR
  
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• NASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after Darlington race, Chase picture

  07-09-2026 03:19 via sports.yahoo.com
  
  Denny Hamlin preserved his NASCAR Cup Series Chase lead after an eventful Cook Out Southern 500 on Sept. 6 at Darlington.Hamlin is 12 points ahead of Christopher Bell going into next week's race at Gateway, the second of 10 races in the Chase.Bell broke the seal in 2026 with the victory at Darlington, his first win since last year at Bristol.Hamlin recovered from a broken toe link to finish 18th while bagging 16 stage points to minimize the points damage.Here's the updated NASCAR Cup Series poin
  
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