Christopher Bell wins at Darlington as Denny Hamlin maintains series points lead
7 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 2:26 AM
Last updated Sep 8, 2026
Christopher Bell secured a victory in the Cook Out Southern 500 on September 6 at Darlington Raceway. The win marks Bell's first of the 2026 season. Despite managing a broken toe link on his car throughout the race, Denny Hamlin finished 18th and collected 16 stage points. This result allowed Hamlin to retain his position atop the NASCAR Cup Series standings after the first of ten races in the Chase. Hamlin currently holds a 12-point advantage over Bell as the series prepares for the next event. The drivers will head to Gateway for the second race of the playoff schedule next week.
- •Christopher Bell won the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington on September 6.
- •Denny Hamlin finished 18th while dealing with a broken toe link on his vehicle.
- •Hamlin leads the NASCAR Cup Series standings with 2,135 points.
- •Bell trails Hamlin by 12 points heading into the next race at Gateway.
- 2:26 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Chase Standings After Darlington: Bell Makes Huge Jump
- 6:26 PMMotorsport.com — Winners and losers from NASCAR's difficult Southern 500 at Darlington - Motorsport.com
- 2:54 AMTennessean — NASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Darlington race, Chase picture - The Tennessean
- 2:39 AMYahoo Sports — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington 2026
- 2:39 AMMotorsport.com — Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington 2026
- 1:43 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series Chase Standings Sees Major Shake-up After Darlington
- 1:19 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after Darlington race, Chase picture
"After 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 ...Keep reading
"The NASCAR Cup Series Chase is officially underway, and the opening race at Darlington Raceway immediately changed the championship picture. After a wild Southern 500, Denny Hamlin remains atop the standings , but Christopher Bell’s victory moved him from sixth to second and put him right in the middle of the championship fight. With nine…
"Christopher Bell closed to within 12 points of NASCAR Chase points leader Denny Hamlin after winning the Southern 500 on Sept. 6 at Darlington.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 2:26 AMNASCAR Chase Standings After Darlington: Bell Makes Huge Jump
The NASCAR Cup Series Chase is officially underway, and the opening race at Darlington Raceway immediately changed the championship picture. After a wild Southern 500, Denny Hamlin remains atop the standings , but Christopher Bell’s victory moved him from sixth to second and put him right in the middle of the championship fight. With nine…
- Motorsport.comSep 7, 2026, 6:26 PMWinners and losers from NASCAR's difficult Southern 500 at Darlington - Motorsport.com
Bell snapped his winless streak, Hocevar made a new enemy, and some Chase contenders have already used up their mulligan
- TennesseanSep 7, 2026, 2:54 AMNASCAR points standings, Cup Series points update after Darlington race, Chase picture - The Tennessean
Christopher Bell closed to within 12 points of NASCAR Chase points leader Denny Hamlin after winning the Southern 500 on Sept. 6 at Darlington.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 2:39 AMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington 2026
Denny Hamlin leaves Darlington with a 12-point championship lead over Christopher Bell
- Motorsport.comSep 7, 2026, 2:39 AMComplete NASCAR Cup points standings after Darlington 2026
After 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 ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 1:43 AMNASCAR Cup Series Chase Standings Sees Major Shake-up After Darlington
The NASCAR Cup Series points standings saw a major shake-up following Darlington. Christopher Bell moves into second place.
- Yahoo SportsSep 7, 2026, 1:19 AMNASCAR points standings: Cup Series points update after Darlington race, Chase picture
Christopher Bell closed to within 12 points of NASCAR Chase points leader Denny Hamlin after winning the Southern 500 on Sept. 6 at Darlington.
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