The NASCAR Chase begins with the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sept. 5 at Darlington Raceway.
The Labor Day weekend tradition is quite the task to open the 10-race run to the Cup Series championship. The 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval is a demand for pit crews, cars and drivers.
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Denny Hamlin enters the Chase as the top seed, 25 points ahead of Ryan Blaney.
Here are The Tennessean’s expert picks for Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Daytona:
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 19: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Insurance Toyota, looks on prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, 2026 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 19: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Insurance Toyota, looks on prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, 2026 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Progressive Insurance Toyota, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – AUGUST 23: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage with an umbrella during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Dollar Tree 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23, 2026 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
Aug 15, 2026; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Team Penske driver Ryan Blaney (12) during stage two of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images
(Greg Atkins, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 SiriusXM Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 SiriusXM Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN – JUNE 07: Tyler Reddick, driver of the #45 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2026 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) races during the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn., Sunday, May 31, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 26: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, looks on prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – AUGUST 22: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, drives during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Dollar Tree 301at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22, 2026 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – AUGUST 22: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Zep Toyota, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Dollar Tree 301at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22, 2026 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
Aug 15, 2026; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe (19), Kaulig Racing driver AJ Allmendinger (16), and Team Penske driver Joey Logano (22) during stage two of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images
(Greg Atkins, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JULY 12: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
Aug 23, 2026; Loudon, New Hampshire, USA; Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson (5) leads Trackhouse Racing driver Connor Zilisch (88) into turn one during the Dollar Tree 301 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
(Eric Canha, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 19: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Llumar Chevrolet, looks on prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, 2026 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 26: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
(Logan Riely, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
LOUDON, NEW HAMPSHIRE – AUGUST 22: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, looks on during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Dollar Tree 301at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22, 2026 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
Aug 15, 2026; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Team Penske driver Joey Logano (22) celebrates the win in the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images
(Greg Atkins, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – JULY 19: Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Kroger/Coca-Cola Ford, looks on prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19, 2026 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – APRIL 19: Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Dillon’s/Gold Peak Ford, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway on April 19, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Miner Docks Doors and More Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
Aug 15, 2026; Richmond, Virginia, USA; Spire Motorsports driver Carson Hocevar (77) during stage two of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Greg Atkins-Imagn Images
(Greg Atkins, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 28: William Byron, driver of the #24 Raptor Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 28, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
JOLIET, ILLINOIS – JULY 05: William Byron, driver of the #24 Anduril Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 05, 2026 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Jonathan Bachman, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation Chevrolet, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
HAMPTON, GEORGIA – JULY 12: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
(Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Hardee’s Toyota, walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JULY 26: Bubba Wallace, driver of the #23 Chumba Casino Toyota, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)
(Logan Riely, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
NEWTON, IOWA – AUGUST 09: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Freightliner Ford, waves to fans as he walks onstage during driver intros prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway on August 09, 2026 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
(Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
LONG POND, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 14: Austin Cindric, driver of the #2 Menards/Ideal Door Garage Doors Ford, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Great American Getaway 400 presented by VISITPA at Pocono Raceway on June 14, 2026 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
(David Jensen, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger/OIKOS Ford, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
(Chris Graythen, Getty Images)
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The NASCAR Chase is set. Meet the drivers in playoffs from Denny Hamlin to Ryan Preece
DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA – AUGUST 29: Ryan Preece, driver of the #60 Kroger/OIKOS Ford, exits his car after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29, 2026 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
(James Gilbert, Getty Images)
NASCAR predictions for Darlington Cup Series race: Here’s who wins the Southern 500
Mike Organ’s pick: William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Byron is one of six drivers in the NASCAR Chase who did not win a race in the regular season, but he did build some momentum late with nice runs at Iowa and Richmond. I realize Chevrolets have only won one race since May, but Byron has run well at Darlington in the past so he’s my pick.
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Nick Gray’s pick: Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Briscoe is showing the same kind of form as last season, when he peaked through the autumn race weekends. Briscoe would have quite the resume builder by winning three Southern 500s in a row.
Tom Kreager’s pick: Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Hamlin opens the Chase with a dominant win at Darlington, where he has four top-10 finishes and a win over the past five races.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: NASCAR Darlington predictions 2026, expert picks for Southern 500 Cup race
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