Darlington Raceway hosts 38 NASCAR teams for the 77th Southern 500

28 sources • 4 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 4:10 AM

Last updated Sep 7, 2026

Darlington Raceway hosts 38 NASCAR teams for the 77th Southern 500
Summary

The 2026 NASCAR Cup season continues this weekend at Darlington Raceway with the 77th running of the Southern 500. This event serves as the final crown jewel of the current campaign and signals the start of The Chase. A total of 38 drivers and teams have submitted entries for the race. While this figure represents the lowest count for any crown jewel event this season, it remains consistent with recent scheduling trends. The Southern 500 has been a consistent fixture on the NASCAR Cup schedule since 1950. Teams now prepare to navigate the historic track as the postseason progression begins.

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By the Numbers
  • •Darlington Raceway hosts the 77th running of the Southern 500.
  • •A total of 38 Cup teams are entered in the event.
  • •The race marks the start of the 2026 edition of The Chase.
  • •The Southern 500 has been a Cup series event since 1950.
Latest Updates
  • 4:10 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR reveals Cup post-race inspection results from Darlington
  • 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington: Live updates, highlights, leaderboard for the Southern 500
  • 2:21 PMTennessean — NASCAR Cup Series Darlington lineup, TV schedule for Sunday's race - The Tennessean
  • 1:38 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR starting lineup for Cup race at Darlington in September 2026
  • 10:07 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Darlington start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Southern 500
  • 10:06 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series at Darlington: Starting lineup, TV schedule for today's race
  • 10:03 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series Darlington lineup, TV schedule for Sunday's race
  • 4:20 AMYahoo Sports — What time does NASCAR start today? TV schedule, channel, live stream to watch 2026 Darlington playoff race
What they're saying
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The fourth and final crown jewel in the NASCAR Cup season is this weekend, as the 2026 edition of The Chase gets underway at Darlington Raceway. This weekend, the historic track will host the 77th running of the Southern 500, which has been a part of the Cup schedule since 1950. 38 drivers are teams are entering this weekend's race, the lowest for any crown jewels this year but also comparable ...Keep reading

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NASCAR Cup drivers must prepare for 500 miles of grueling racing at Darlington Raceway, which will host the 77th running of the Southern 500 and the opening round of the 2026 Chase for the championship. Chase Briscoe is attempting to become the first driver in nearly three decades to win three consecutive Southern 500s, while Denny Hamlin enters the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the ...Keep reading

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After 26 races, NASCAR’s Cup Series championship fight officially begins with 500 miles at one of the most unforgiving tracks on the schedule. The 2026 Chase opens with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, where an abrasive surface, significant tire falloff and two distinctly different ends leave little room for error. Darlington’s unusual 1.366-mile egg-shaped…

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