NASCAR Southern 500 preview: Favorite, underdog, top storylines

On Sunday, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will commence with the 76th running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Here's what you need to know going into the 27th race of the 2025 Cup Series season. 

Favorite: Denny Hamlin (+450, per DraftKings) 

To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Hamlin, a five-time Darlington winner, enters Sunday's race as the favorite. He'll start from the pole on Sunday evening as he looks to begin his quest for his first championship with a crown jewel victory. 

Underdog: Kyle Busch (+3500, per DraftKings) 

Busch finished runner-up in the Southern 500 a year ago, and while he's not in the 2025 playoffs, he's looking to snap a winless drought that dates back to June 2023. With his RCR teammate in Austin Dillon winning at Richmond two weeks ago, a victory for Busch at Darlington isn't out of the realm of possibility. 

Darlington a tough test for championship hopefuls 

There is perhaps no greater opening challenge for the 16 drivers that make up the NASCAR playoff field than 'The Track Too Tough To Tame.' A grueling, 500-mile race in the South Carolina heat isn't easy, regardless, but especially not with championship implications for 16 drivers. A poor showing at Darlington could set the stage for a short playoff run, while a win for a playoff driver on Sunday would ensure their participation in the Round of 12. 

Can a non-playoff driver spoil the party? 

At the same time, Sunday's race is still a crown jewel. For drivers such as Busch, Chris Buescher, Ryan Preece and Erik Jones, among others, winning a crown jewel race would certainly lessen some of the sting that comes with missing out on the postseason, especially if they're able to best championship competitors in the process.