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League: NASCARSport: MotorsportsCountry: United StatesCategory: Scores & Results

Christopher Bell wins Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway

13 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 2:49 AM

Last updated Sep 7, 2026

Christopher Bell wins Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
Summary

Christopher Bell secured victory at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, marking his first Cup Series win of the season. After overcoming rain delays and passing Kyle Larson with 12 laps remaining, Bell finished ahead of Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs and Tyler Reddick. The win ends a year-long winless streak for the driver and serves as the opening event in the 10-race NASCAR Chase. Bell entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed and had previously recorded seven runner-up finishes this year. The race saw several notable incidents, including mechanical failures for Denny Hamlin and William Byron. Following the win, Bell moves forward in the standings as the championship fight continues.

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By the Numbers
  • •Christopher Bell won the Southern 500 after passing Kyle Larson with 12 laps to go.
  • •The top three finishers at Darlington were Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Tyler Reddick.
  • •This race served as the first event of the 10-race NASCAR Chase.
  • •Denny Hamlin and William Byron both saw their contention ended by mechanical issues and wall contact.
Latest Updates
  • 2:49 AMESPN — Bell starts Chase with victory at Darlington
  • 2:09 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR takeaways: Christopher Bell finally kicks down door in Southern 500
  • 1:58 AMYahoo Sports — Christopher Bell passes Kyle Larson late to win Southern 500
  • 1:49 AMYahoo Sports — Christopher Bell Wins Southern 500 to Open NASCAR Chase
  • 1:48 AMYahoo Sports — Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Southern 500 at Darlington
  • 1:48 AMMotorsport.com — Official race results: 2026 NASCAR Cup Southern 500 at Darlington
  • 1:42 AMRacer — Bell shatters drought with Chase-opening Cup win at Darlington
  • 1:37 AMMotorsport.com — Christopher Bell passes Kyle Larson to win NASCAR Southern 500 at Darlington
What they're saying
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With 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 ...Keep reading

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After 500 miles of racing at Darlington Raceway, Christopher Bell passed Kyle Larson with 12 laps to go, driving off with the Southern 500 victory. Bell hadn't won a race since last September, and was frustrated with seven runner-up finishes in, until today, a winless 2026 season. Bell took the lead from Larson and then held on against Ty Gibbs in second and Tyler Reddick in third. Ryan ...Keep reading

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Christopher 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…

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