NASCAR’s 77th Southern 500 launches a 500‑mile duel at Darlington Raceway, opening the 2026 Chase for the Championship.
Saturday, September 5 – Practice and Qualifying
1:30 p.m. EST – O’Reilly Practice on The CW APP and ESPN Unlimited.
2:35 p.m. EST – O’Reilly Qualifying on The CW APP and ESPN Unlimited.
4:00 p.m. EST – Cup Practice streamed on truTV and HBO Max.
5:10 p.m. EST – Cup Qualifying on truTV and HBO Max.
7:30 p.m. EST – O’Reilly Race, 147 laps, on The CW and ESPN Unlimited.
Sunday, September 6 – The Main Event
4:30 p.m. EST – Cup Pre‑Race Show, USA.
5:10 p.m. EST – Cup Series Race, 367 laps (500 miles), USA.
How to Watch the Cup Series
Green flag set for 5:10 p.m. EST.
Laps/Miles: 367 laps / 500 miles.
Stages: 115 / 115 / 137.
Tire sets: 13.
TV: USA (also TSN in Canada and other international options).
Stream: Live on USA.
Radio: MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Entry List Highlights
Forty‑two teams line up for this 77th Southern 500, including two open entries: No. 66 “Garage 66” Ford of Chad Finchum and No. 67 23XI Racing Toyota of Corey Heim.
Competitive Context
Chase Briscoe will attempt to become the first driver in almost three decades to capture three straight Southern 500 victories, while Denny Hamlin enters the postseason already holding the No. 1 seed in the title chase.
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