NASCAR: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

NASCAR notebook: Chase Briscoe comes to Darlington with great expectations

DARLINGTON, S.C.--There's one huge difference between Chase Briscoe's approach to the Cook Out Southern 500 last year and his mind-set this year. The level of expectations is exponentially higher for Sunday's opening Playoff race at the Lady in Black (6 p.m.

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NASCAR notebook: Denny Hamlin wins pole for first NASCAR Cup Playoff race

DARLINGTON, S.C.--If any active driver has come close to mastering the Track Too Tough to Tame, it's Denny Hamlin, who asserted his superiority once again in Saturday's qualifying session for the Cook Out Southern 500 (6 p.m.

Chandler Smith News / 5 GOATs / August 30

Chandler Smith out of Darlington early, playoff race wreaking havoc on drivers

A terrible start to the Truck Series Playoffs for Chandler Smith. He is out of the race after hitting the wall early at Darlington. Everyone knows about the Darlington stripe.

NASCAR News / Racing America on SI / August 30

Starting Lineup: NASCAR Cup Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington

Denny Hamlin took the pole position for Sunday's Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway with a lap time of 28.694 seconds (171.381 mph) in Saturday's qualifying session around the 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.

Josh Berry News / Racing America on SI / August 30

Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing Prepared, Confident For Playoff Run

Josh Berry is set to embark upon his first appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in Sunday's Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The driver, who secured his place in the Playoffs via a stirring victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway early in the season, is looking to ignite a spark to kick off the 10-race championship fight.

Chase Elliott News / The SportsRush / August 30

Chase Elliott Reveals the One NASCAR Race Every New Fan Should Watch

Although superspeedway races have always delivered the biggest thrills, Daytona 500 opening the season and Talladega drawing fans in droves, the Next Gen era has tilted the scales toward intermediates, where the cars perform best, leaving short tracks and superspeedways (at least in Stage 1) lagging behind.

Jeff Gordon News / The SportsRush / August 30

For Jeff Gordon, the Southern 500’s Winningest Driver, Darlington Was Never ‘Too Tough to Tame’

Jeff Gordon stacked his career with four championships, three Daytona 500 victories, three Coca-Cola 600 wins, and six Southern 500 triumphs, among countless others.

Kyle Larson News / The SportsRush / August 30

Kyle Larson Reveals His Biggest Weakness Heading Into the NASCAR Playoffs

Kyle Larson enters the playoffs as the top seed with the largest cushion in points among the top 16, yet he admits there are still a few tracks that keep him on edge.

NASCAR News / The SportsRush / August 30

Mark Martin Hails 'Brave' Christopher Bell for Public Stance on NASCAR’s Controversial Format

Mark Martin, one of NASCAR’s most respected veterans, has never hesitated to call out what he sees as wrong and to champion what he believes is right.

Chase Elliott News / The SportsRush / August 30

Chase Elliott Shares Surprising Take On How to Make Fans Crave More NASCAR Racing

Chase Elliott is loose and carefree with the opening of the 10-race NASCAR Cup playoffs with this Sunday’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. That’s quite a difference from how Elliott has been in previous playoffs, when he was nervous, particularly worried about failing to advance to the next round in the four rounds of the Cup playoffs.

NASCAR News / The SportsRush / August 30

Kyle Petty Defends the NASCAR Next Gen Car, Insists 'There Is No One Solution'

It’s hard to make your point in a conversation when the other folks in that conversation are NASCAR Hall of Fame legend Richard Petty and his longtime Hall of Fame crew chief and cousin, Dale Inman.

NASCAR News / FirstSportz / August 30

Joey Logano Makes Bold 'Connor Zilisch Is Better Than me' Confession

Joey Logano has endured a difficult campaign in the 2025 Cup Series season. The defending champion has amassed only one race win this year and barely made it into the playoffs.

Alex Bowman News / The SportsRush / August 30

Steve Letarte Backs Alex Bowman Despite HMS Driver’s Below Average Record on Round 0f 16 Tracks

Crew chief turned NASCAR TV analyst Steve Letarte is known for sometimes going completely off the reservation with his picks and how they will perform, whether it be a particular race or, as in this case, the NASCAR Cup playoffs.

Bubba Wallace News / Total Apex Sports / August 29

The Real Talk About Bubba Wallace’s Future at 23XI Racing

The charter lawsuit drama surrounding 23XI Racing has left everyone in NASCAR wondering what the next steps will be. While Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s team battles it out in federal court with NASCAR over charter agreements, there’s one burning question keeping fans awake at night.

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Christopher Bell News / The SportsRush / August 29

Christopher Bell Bats for Radical Change to NASCAR Playoffs System

Christopher Bell may be rivals with Austin Dillon on the racetrack, but Bell agrees with Dillon that there should be a radical change to the current NASCAR Cup playoff system.

NASCAR News / ESPN / August 29

NASCAR will not redistribute charters amid suit

NASCAR promised a federal court on Friday it will not redistribute any charters pending the conclusion of the antitrust suit filed against the racing series by two race teams, including 23XI Racing which is owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / August 29

Kevin Harvick reacts to Tyler Reddick 2025 performance, points finger at problem

This season, Tyler Reddick has not lived up to his 2024 performance. Kevin Harvick believes he knows the culprit. A lot can change for drivers one year to the next.

NASCAR News / 5 GOATs / August 29

Chase Elliott gives bold take on Ryan Blaney’s 2025 NASCAR season heading into playoffs

Off the track, Chase Elliott and Ryan Blaney are good friends. On it, they are both embattled in a championship fight in the NASCAR Playoffs. When you look at the numbers, and if you’ve been paying attention, it won’t shock you to hear what Elliott thinks about Blaney’s 2025 season.

NASCAR News / Field Level Media / August 29

Stubbs: Resetting NASCAR playoff field entering Round of 16

On Sunday, the 76th running of the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway will kick off the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Sixteen drivers will begin the postseason with dreams of hoisting the Bill France Cup at Phoenix Raceway on Nov.

Richard Childress News / FirstSportz / August 29

Richard Childress Reportedly Might Drop Chevy for Dodge

NASCAR is seeing the return of RAM in the Truck Series next season. The Stellantis brand will work with Kaulig Racing for next season. This comeback has opened the possibility for another Stellantis brand, Dodge to re-enter the Cup Series in the near future.

NASCAR News / Yardbarker / August 28