What time does NASCAR start today? TV schedule, channel, live stream to watch 2026 Darlington playoff race originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Now that the NASCAR regular season is officially over, it’s time to head into a thrilling playoff Chase. Drivers will not get much time to ease into competition, as the Cook Out Southern 500 gets things started on Sunday.
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With the playoff circuit heading to Darlington, things should get interesting. The South Carolina oval is also known as “The Track Too Tough to Tame”, and the Cook Out Southern features a grueling 501-mile stretch that has been humbling drivers for more than 70 years.
This weekend’s race serves as the first of 10 postseason competitions that will culminate in a 2026 Cup Series champion. Only 16 drivers qualified for the Chase, with Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney and Tyler Reddick leading points, and Ryan Preece just squeaking in after winning last weekend’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona.
Who can make an impression as the NASCAR postseason gets started?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cook Out Southern 500, including TV channel and streaming options for the NASCAR playoff race.
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What time is the NASCAR race today?
The 2026 Cook Out Southern 500 will get started at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 6. The race will take place at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.
What channel is NASCAR on today?
The 2026 Cook Out Southern 500 will be broadcast exclusively on USA Network. Cord-cutters can also stream the action live on DIRECTV.
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NASCAR Southern 500 starting lineup grid
* indicates driver in Chase
|
Pos. |
Driver |
Car |
|
1 |
Tyler Reddick* |
45 |
|
2 |
Daniel Suarez* |
7 |
|
3 |
Ryan Preece* |
60 |
|
4 |
Denny Hamlin* |
11 |
|
5 |
Michael McDowell |
71 |
|
6 |
Austin Cindric* |
2 |
|
7 |
Chase Briscoe* |
19 |
|
8 |
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
47 |
|
9 |
Austin Dillon |
3 |
|
10 |
Alex Bowman |
48 |
|
11 |
Christopher Bell* |
20 |
|
12 |
Brad Keselowski |
6 |
|
13 |
Joey Logano* |
22 |
|
14 |
Josh Berry |
21 |
|
15 |
Riley Herbst |
35 |
|
16 |
Cole Custer |
41 |
|
17 |
Bubba Wallace* |
23 |
|
18 |
Chase Elliott* |
9 |
|
19 |
John Hunter Nemechek |
42 |
|
20 |
William Byron* |
24 |
|
21 |
Todd Gilliland |
34 |
|
22 |
Corey Heim |
67 |
|
23 |
Ross Chastain |
1 |
|
24 |
Ryan Blaney* |
12 |
|
25 |
Kyle Larson* |
5 |
|
26 |
Shane van Gisbergen |
97 |
|
27 |
Ty Dillon |
10 |
|
28 |
Ty Gibbs* |
54 |
|
29 |
Noah Gragson |
4 |
|
30 |
AJ Allmendinger |
16 |
|
31 |
Connor Zilisch |
88 |
|
32 |
Austin Hill |
33 |
|
33 |
Zane Smith |
38 |
|
34 |
Carson Hocevar* |
77 |
|
35 |
Chris Buescher* |
17 |
|
36 |
Erik Jones |
43 |
|
37 |
Cody Ware |
51 |
|
38 |
Chad Finchum |
66 |
NASCAR Cup Series playoff race schedule 2026
(All times Eastern)
|
Date |
Race |
Track |
Time |
Watch/Winner |
|
Sept. 6 |
Southern 500 |
Darlington Raceway |
5 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Sept. 13 |
Enjoy Illinois 300 |
World Wide Technology Raceway |
3 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Sept. 19 |
Bass Pro Shops Night Race |
Bristol Motor Speedway |
7:30 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Sept. 27 |
Hollywood Casino 400 |
Kansas Speedway |
3 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Oct. 4 |
South Point 400 |
Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
5:30 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Oct. 11 |
Bank of America 400 |
Charlotte Motor Speedway |
3 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Oct. 18 |
Freeway Insurance 500 |
Phoenix Raceway |
3 p.m. |
USA, DIRECTV |
|
Oct. 25 |
Yellawood 500 |
Talladega Superspeedway |
2 p.m. |
NBC, fubo, DIRECTV |
|
Nov. 1 |
Xfinity 500 |
Martinsville Speedway |
2 p.m. |
NBC, fubo, DIRECTV |
|
Nov. 8 |
Cup Series Championship Race |
Homestead-Miami Speedway |
3 p.m. |
NBC, fubo, DIRECTV |
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