Darlington, S.C. – September 3, 2023
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs opened up on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 with the Cook Out Southern 500. The 1.366-miles of Darlington Raceway hosted the playoff opener traditionally known as the Southern 500.
Cook-Out Southern 500: Recap:
Stage 1
Christopher Bell paced the field until an unexpected delay in a pit cycle on lap 35. Bell’s untimely error opened the door up for Tyler Reddick who took over the top spot. With some heavy bumping Denny Hamlin was able to hammer past lap leader Reddick to take control of the race with 25 laps remaining in Stage 1.
Hamlin cruises to a Stage 1 win and valuable playoff points on a “Track 2 Tough 2 Tame”.
Cook-Out Southern 500: Results:
Stage 1
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Tyler Reddick
3. Kyle Larson
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Ryan Blaney
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Chase Elliott
8. Christopher Bell
9. Chris Buescher
10. Aric Almirola
Cook-Out Southern 500: Recap:
Stage 2
Stage 1 winner Hamlin found himself back up front as he recycled back to the lead 40 laps into Stage 2 after Martin Truex Jr. was hindered by a loose wheel demanding him to pit.
The red flag came out as the lights malfunctioned and troubled the track.
Coming back with 1 lap remaining Denny Hamlin guarded his rear-view mirror as Kyle Larson and Erik Jones tried to advance. Hamlin holds on to win both Stages of the event.
Cook-Out Southern 500: Results:
Stage 2
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Kyle Larson
3. Erik Jones
4. Tyler Reddick
5. William Byron
6. Kyle Busch
7. Ryan Blaney
8. Austin Dillon
9. Brad Keselowski
10. Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Cook-Out Southern 500 : Recap:
Final Stage
With 37 laps remaining, Denny Hamlin attempted to avoid a multicar collision involving Kyle Bush, Todd Gilland, and Austin Dillion. This was disastrous for Hamlin slimming his chances to sweep the event.
Kyle Larson was rewarded and assumed the lead. Pole sitter Tyler Reddick came on strong and had one final battle to gain the lead. Kyle Larson was able to protect his position as Tyler Reddick ran out of real estate.
Kyle Larson won the first playoff race at Darlington Raceway ‘s minnow pond.
Darlington Raceway Results
September 3, 2023
NASCAR Cup Series
(Cook Out Southern 500)
Pos | Driver
1. Kyle Larson
2. Tyler Reddick
3. Chris Buescher
4. William Byron
5. Ross Chastain
6. Brad Keselowski
7. Bubba Wallace
8. Chase Elliott
9. Ryan Blaney
10. Erik Jones
11. Kyle Busch
12. Joey Logano
13. AJ Allmendinger
14. Aric Almirola
15. Chase Briscoe
16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
17. Carson Hocevar
18. Martin Truex Jr
19. Kevin Harvick
20. Austin Dillon
21. Ty Gibbs
22. Corey LaJoie
23. Christopher Bell
24. Justin Haley
25. Denny Hamlin
26. Todd Gilliland
27. Ryan Newman
28. Ryan Preece
29. Ty Dillon
30. JJ Yeley
31. Austin Cindric
32. Michael McDowell
33. Alex Bowman
34. Daniel Suarez
35. Harrison Burton
36. BJ McLeod
NASCAR Cup Series
Point Standings
Race 1 of 3 in Round of 16
(After Cook Out 500 / Southern 500 race)
Pos | Driver | Points
1. Kyle Larson : 1 Win
2. William Byron : +45
3. Tyler Reddick : +30
4. Chris Buescher : +27
5. Denny Hamlin : +27
6. Martin Truex Jr : +25
7. Kyle Busch : +20
8. Brad Keselowski : +18
9. Ryan Blaney : +16
10. Ross Chastain : +13
11. Joey Logano : +3
12. Christopher Bell : +1
— Round of 12 Cutline —
13. Bubba Wallace : -1
14. Kevin Harvick : -2
15. Ricky Stenhouse Jr : -4
16. Michael McDowell : -19
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs of Elimination will continue on Sept. 10, 2023 for the Hollywood Casino 400 hosted by Kansas Speedway:
3:00 p.m. ET
USA
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