NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin with the Southern 500 at Darlington
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 10:05 AM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
The NASCAR Cup Series postseason begins Sunday, Sept. 6, at the Southern 500 in Darlington, South Carolina. This 10-race stretch features a field of 16 drivers competing for the championship, with points reset for the final bracket. Denny Hamlin enters the opening race as the top seed and tournament favorite following a consistent regular season. Ryan Preece secured the final playoff berth last weekend at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona after a walk-off victory. Unlike previous formats, this version of the Chase features no elimination rounds, meaning the title will go to the driver who maintains the highest level of performance across the final 10 events. Drivers like Ryan Blaney, Tyler Reddick, and Chase Briscoe are also considered primary contenders in the field.
- •The 10-race postseason series begins Sunday, Sept. 6 at Darlington.
- •Denny Hamlin enters the playoffs as the points leader.
- •The 16-driver field was finalized after Ryan Preece won at Daytona.
- •The championship will be awarded based on point totals over the final 10 races.
- 10:05 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Chase picks, surprises: Will Denny Hamlin finally win the Cup Series title?
- 1:02 PMYahoo Sports — Who can win the NASCAR championship? Ranking all 16 Chase drivers
"The NASCAR Chase begins this weekend with the Southern 500. Denny Hamlin is the favorite to win the championship, but who else has a chance?
"Our experts are split across the board on who will win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship heading into the Chase.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 10:05 AMNASCAR Chase picks, surprises: Will Denny Hamlin finally win the Cup Series title?
Our experts are split across the board on who will win the NASCAR Cup Series Championship heading into the Chase.
- Yahoo SportsSep 3, 2026, 1:02 PMWho can win the NASCAR championship? Ranking all 16 Chase drivers
The NASCAR Chase begins this weekend with the Southern 500. Denny Hamlin is the favorite to win the championship, but who else has a chance?
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