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Kyle Larson secures first Playoff victory at Darlington Raceway’s “Lady in Black”!

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 

Sirus XM NASCAR Channel 90

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