We are officially in the NASCAR post season, which can only mean one thing: it’s time for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, September 3, at 6 pm ET.
After Martin Truex Jr. Was crowned the regular season champion last weekend and the playoff picture was solidified, the top finishing drivers are ready to battle it out in the Round of 16.
Find out how to watch this week’s NASCAR race on USA, who’s in the playoffs, what to expect and more below.
COOK OUT SOUTHERN 500 RACE INFORMATION
Date: Sunday September 3, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm ET
Location: Darlington Raceway, South Carolina
How to Watch: USA, channel 242 on DIRECTV
WHICH DRIVERS ARE IN THE 2023 CUP SERIES PLAYOFFS?
The playoff picture was relatively simple this year, with clear winners and losers. And with No. 17 Chris Buescher’s third win of the season, the Coke Zero 400 in Daytona finalized the roster for the playoffs. Since Buescher was already secured for the playoffs, his victory meant the final playoff spot was still up for grabs.
It was a day of celebration for Bubba Wallace, who had been on the outskirts of the playoffs for much of the season. Despite not winning a race in the regular season, his steady performance allowed him to sneak in the Round of 16 for the first time in his career.
Unfortunately for fan favorite Chase Elliott, Buescher’s win and Wallace’s move to the playoffs meant the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs were not in the cards for him this year.
Here are the drivers moving on to the Round of 16 along with their starting playoff point totals and team names. The drivers with * on their name made it into the playoffs based on points, not a win.
| Place | Driver | Playoff Points | Team |
| 1 | No. 24 William Byron | 2036 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 2 | No. 19 Martin Truex Jr. | 2036 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 3 | No. 11 Denny Hamlin | 2025 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 4 | No. 17 Chris Buescher | 2021 | RFK Racing |
| 5 | No. 8 Kyle Busch | 2019 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 6 | No. 5 Kyle Larson | 2017 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 7 | No. 20 Christopher Bell | 2014 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 8 | No. 1 Ross Chastain | 2011 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 9 | No. 6 Brad Keselowski* | 2010 | RFK Racing |
| 10 | No. 45 Tyler Reddick | 2009 | 23XI Racing |
| 11 | No. 22 Joey Logano | 2008 | Team Penske |
| 12 | No. 12 Ryan Blaney | 2008 | Team Penske |
| 13 | No. 34 Michael McDowell | 2007 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 14 | No. 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 2005 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 15 | No. 4 Kevin Harvick* | 2004 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 16 | No. 23 Bubba Wallace* | 2000 | 23XI Racing |
COOK OUT SOUTHERN 500 RACE PREVIEW
The first round of NASCAR playoffs starts at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The playoff drivers will be competing on the superspeedway in hopes of claiming the first post season victory.
As one of the most historic races on the schedule, the Cup has been competing at Darlington since 1950, and it is always an exciting way to start the playoffs. The race will consist of 367 laps around the 1.366-mile track, totaling just over 501 miles.
This is one of the most difficult tracks in the whole season. The track is paved with racing asphalt and has 25 degrees of banking on turns 1 and 2. Turns 3 and 4 are banked 23 degrees, and the front and backstretch are banked 3 and 2 degrees, respectively.
WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE SOUTHERN 500 AT DARLINGTON?
This is the Cup Series’ second time at Darlington this season, after the Goodyear 400 which took place in May. The race was won by No. 24 William Byron, who is in first place as the playoffs begin. Will the previous win help him overtake his competitors this time around? It’s possible, considering Hendrick Motorsports is the team with the most wins at Darlington.
This race is the first of three in the Round of 16. Each race winner will automatically get a spot in the Round of 12, while the rest of the competitors will rely on their playoff points to get a spot. The four racers with the lowest number of points will be out of the playoff picture after the Bass Pro Shops Night Race coming up on September 16th.
WATCH NASCAR ON DIRECTV
You can catch the Southern 500 at Darlington live from your home on the USA Network, channel 242 on DIRECTV.
In addition to all the Cup Series races, you can also watch the Xfinity Series race on Saturdays of NASCAR race weekends. The Xfinity race this weekend is the Sports Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200, which will be raced on September 2, at 2:30 pm ET. It will be broadcast live on USA Network.
DIRECTV has the full NASCAR coverage you’re looking for, plus a wide variety of other sports content you want. With the DIRECTV Sports Pack, you can get over 40 specialty sports networks including and more right at the tip of your fingers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I watch the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway?
The NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 is available to watch live on USA, channel 242 on DIRECTV.
When is the Cook Out Southern 500?
The Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 will take place on September 3, 2023, at 6 pm ET.
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