It’s the track that’s “too tough to tame” for the Cook Out Southern 500 for the Cup Series at Darlington Raceway as the playoff begin.
NASCAR has been racing at Darlington Raceway since 1950, it is the oldest non short track race on the circuit. The track’s unique shape is due to having to design the race within the confines of the available land.
Among the 36 drivers at the track is Ryan Preece who has been cleared to race after his scary crash last week at Daytona that sent him and his 3,400 pound car spinning through the air – 10 times! Except for both eyes being black and blue, Preece said that he is fine. He didn’t even want to stay overnight at the hospital. Preece noted that once he got home on Sunday, he spent the day holding his newborn daughter Rebecca.
Ryan Newman returns to Darlington to drive the number 51 car. Earlier in the week, Legacy Motor Club announced that Craftsman Truck Series driver Carson Hocevar would be driving the number 42 car this week.
The drivers have been divided into two groups for a 20 minute practice session and then single car qualifying. The top five drivers from each group will move on to a second round of qualifying to make a run for the pole.
Austin Cindric is celebrating his 25th birthday today out on the track getting ready to Sunday’s race.
After getting a “Darlington stripe”, Kyle Busch brings his car down pit road with a possible toe link issue.
Ryan Preece wasn’t the only driver who had a scary ride last week at Daytona when Ryan Blaney was hit from behind by Ty Gibbs and send Blaney into the wall as a part of a big pile up. Blaney is also back on the track again this week.
The first driver out on the track to make a qualifying run is JJ Yeley who posted a time of 29.478 seconds around the 1.3 mile track.
Christopher Bell is the first driver to break the 29 second mark with a time of 28,985 seconds
Christopher Bell, Kevin Harvick, Aric Almirola, Michael McDowell, and Brad Keselowski will all be moving on to round two of qualifying from Group A.
Carson Hocevar is the first driver from Group B out on the track and posted a time of 29.154 seconds.
Ryan Blaney breaks the 29 second mark in Group B with a time of 28,870 seconds.
In a very loose car, Martin Truex Jr nearly hit the wall but saved the car to complete a qualifying run.
In Group B; Tyler Reddick, Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Chris Buescher – all with 28 second runs – will move on to round two of qualifying.
Nine of the ten drivers in round two of qualifying are playoff drivers – only Aric Almirola is not one of the playoff drivers.
With the top 10 all Fords and Toyotas, it is the first time in 41 years that a Chevrolet will not be in the top 10 at Darlington.
The first of the top 10 drivers on the track for round tow of qualifying is Michael McDowell who posted a ti me of 29.290 seconds.
Posting a time of 29..965 Christopher Bell puts his number 20 car on the pole with teammate Denny Hamlin starting alongside on the front row.
The starting lineup for the Cook Out Southern 500:
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Tyler Reddick
Ryan Blaney
Brad Keselowski
Joey Logano
Kevin Harvick
Chris Buescher
Michael McDowell
Aric Almirola
Kyle Busch
Chase Briscoe
Chase Elliott
Austin Cindric
Carson Hocevar
AJ Allmendinger
Ty Gibbs
Kyle Larson
Bubba Wallace
Erik Jones
Daniel Suarez
Corey LaJoie
William Byron
Alex Bowman
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Ty Dillon
Ross Chastain
Austin Dillon
Justin Haley
Todd Gilliland
Martin Truex Jr
Harrison Burton
JJ Yeley
Ryan Preece
Ryan Newman
BJ McLeod
After tapping the wall during practice, Kyle Busch’s crew made repairs to the car that NASCAR considered “unapproved adjustments”; as a result, Kyle Busch will have to start the race from the back of the field.
Stages one and two of the race are 115 laps each with stage three lasting 137 laps for a total of 367 laps around the 1.3 mile egg shaped track. The drivers can run 70 to 75 laps on a single load of fuel but the abrasive track will tear up the tires long before that.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag start of the race on the inside lane with Denny Hamlin alongside before a sell out crowd on a hot and humid night. Bell gets out in front for the lead with Tyler Reddick in second. Drivers quickly get single file.
Lap two, Christopher Bell leads the race with Tyler Reddick in second; Denny Hamlin Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Lap five, Christopher Bell has a lead of nearly half a second on Tyler Reddick; Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.
Lap seven, after starting the race from the back of the field, Kyle Busch has only advanced three spots since the race start.
It was just announced that Truck Series playoff driver Carson Hocevar will be driving the number 72 car for Legacy Motor Club at Bristol. Hocevar is currently in the top 20 in 18th.
Lap eleven, Christopher Bell has pulled ut to a lead of nearly a second on Tyler Reddick; Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski continue to round out the top five.
Lap 13, Kyle Busch has entered the top 30 in 29th.
Lap 19, Christopher Bell continues to lead the race; he is nearly a second in front of Tyler Reddick; Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five. Kyle Busch has moved up to 25th after starting the race in last place.
Lap 22, Christopher Bell has led every lap so far; the remainder of the top five – Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski has not changed.
Lap 26, all 36 cars that started the race are on the track and on the lead lap.
The race started with the sun blazing in the sky but has begun to set and is causing some major visual issues for the drivers. Eventually, they will be racing under the lights…and cooler temperatures.
Lap 32, green flag pit stops begin with Michael McDowell and Ryan Blaney on pit road.
Lap 33, Christopher Bell continues to lead the race but gives up the lead to come down pit road. And the parade of cars has begun.
Lap 34, Martin Truex Jr is the new leader.
Christopher Bell has a new pit crew but he continues to have issues. The jack fell off the car and caused a pit stop of over 15 seconds.
Lap 35, Tyler Reddick is the new leader.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr was caught speeding on pit road and will have to serve a pass through penalty. He is now one lap down.
Ross Chastain overshot his pit stall and had to back the car up before the crew could start working; causing a slow pit stop.
Lap 37, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Danny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, and Joey Logano. Christopher Bell is back in sixth place.
There are 30 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 71, Tyler Reddick has a one second lead on Denny Hamlin; Brad Keselowski Ryan Blaney, and Christopher Bell.
Lap 42, Christoher Bell passes Ryan Blaney for fourth.
Lap 44, Kyle Busch is just outside the top 20 in 21st.
Lap 46, Denny Hamlin has closed the gap on leader Tyler Reddick; it is down to just half a second. Christopher Bell continues to advance as he passes Brad Keselowski for third.
Lap 52, Tyler Reddick holds on to his half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Christopher Bell, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five. There are 28 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 54, In 10th place, Chase Elliott is the only non-playoff driver in the top 10.
Lap 57, Denny Hamlin has closed the gap on leader Tyler Reddick to under half a second; Christopher Bell, Brad Keselowski, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 38, Kyle Busch has entered the top 20 after starting the race from the back of the field.
Lap 61, leader Tyler Reddick is approaching Ross Chastain in 28th – the last car on the lead lap.
Lap 67, Kyle Larson is the first driver to make a second green flag pit stop to begin the cycle. Michael McDowell reports that his car is still tight.
Lap 68, leader Tyler Reddick comes down pit road for service. Christopher Bell is the new leader.
Lap 71, Christopher Bell comes down pit road for his service.
Lap 72, Corey LaJoie is the new leader.
The air hose got stuck under Bubba Wallace’s number 23 car, causing a slow stop.
Tyler Reddick retakes the lead is over a second in front of Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Lap 77, seventh place driver Christopher Bell is running some of the fastest laps on the track.
Lap 83, Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five. Christopher Bell has moved up to sixth and Kyle Busch is in 17th.
There are only 23 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 87, this is the longest green flag stretch at Darlington in five years.
Joey Logano has earned his “Darlington stripe” but the track stays green.
Lap 90, Tyler Reddick is mired in slower traffic and Denny Hamlin has caught Reddick and is in a battle for the lead.
Lap 91, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Christopher Bell.
Denny Hamlin gets past Tyler Reddick for the lead.
Lap 95, Denny Hamlin has a quarter of a second lead on Tyler Reddick; Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Christopher Bell round out the top five. In 23rd place, Daniel Suarez is the last car on the lead lap.
Lap 103, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a half second lead on Tyler Reddick; Kyle Larson, Kevin Harvick, and Christopher Bell round out the top five. Chase Elliott remains the only non-playoff driver in the top 10.
Kyle Busch reports that his car starts out fine but then “falls apart”; however, he is running in the top five in lap time speeds.
Aric Almirola scrapes the wall but the track stays green.
Austin Cindric scrapes the wall for a second time.
Daniel Suarez is the last car on the lead lap with leader Denny Hamlin on his bumper.
Denny Hamlin wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Denny Hamlin
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Larson
Kevin Harvick
Ryan Blaney
Brad Keselowski
Chase Elliott
Christopher Bell
Chris Buecher
Aric Almirola
Melon Man Ross Chastain is the “lucky dog”.
Lap 115, Bubba Wallace spins out and brings out the caution flag as stage one ends.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Denny Hamlin winning the race off of pit road.
Joey Logano has an extended pit stop while the crew checks for damage after some on track contact.
Brad Keselowski slid through his pit stall and had to back up before the crew could work on the car.
Stage two brings an Earnhardt, a Jarrett, and a Petty in the broadcast booth when Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett join Dale Earnhardt Jr in the broadcast booth.
The 115 green flag laps is the longest green flag stretch since 2013.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Tyler Reddick alongside on lap 123. Hamlin jumps out in front for the lead with Tyler Reddick and Kyle Larson battling for second.
Lap 124, the top five are Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick ,and Ryan Blaney.
Lap 126, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Larson; Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
Christopher Bell has fallen through the field after hitting the wall at the end of stage one.
Lap 128, Kyle Busch has entered the top 10 and is over four seconds behind the leader.
Christopher Bell reports that the thinks the toe isn’t right. He is having a number of issues in the corners and is losing spots on the track.
Lap 132, Denny Hamlin holds a half second lead on Kyle Larson; Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
A record set at Darlington that will probably never be broken…Ned Jarrett won a race by 14 laps.
Lap 143, Denny Hamlin continues to lead the race and has pulled out to a one second lead on Kyle Larson; Tyler Reddick, Kevin Harvick and William Byron round out the top five.
Lap 146, Christopher Bell is the last car on the lead lap in 24th place.
Lap 148, eleventh place driver Erik Jones is the defending champion of the 2022 Southern 500.
Lap 149, Brad Keselowski is among the first drivers on pit road for a green flag pit stops.
Lap 151, Kyle Larson gives up second place to make his green flag pit stop.
Denny Hamlin comes down pit road for service and gives the lead over to Tyler Reddick.
Joey Logano reports the “something is wrong” in his car.
Kyle Busch reports a loss of grip in his car.
Lap 153, Tyler Reddick gives up the lead to make his green flag pit stop and gives the lead over to Christopher Bell.
Martin Truex Jr has a loose wheel and has to make a second trip down pit road.
Lap 162, Denny Hamlin passes Christopher Bell to retake the lead. Bell has fallen through the field and is now in eighth place as he continues to stay out on the track. He reports that he is very tight.
Lap 163, Christopher Bell finally comes down pit road for service.
Denny Hamline has a lead of nearly two seconds on Kyle Larson; Kevin Harvick, William Byron, and Ryan Blaney round out the top five.
The lights on the inside of the track on turns three and four are not working properly.
Michael McDowell is back on pit road, continuing to have handling issues with the car.
Lap 168, Christopher Bell returns to the track in 26th place, two laps down.
Joey Logano is the last car on the lead lap in 22nd place.
Lap 173, Denny Hamlin has a one second lead on Kyle Larson; Kevin Harvick, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
The caution flag comes out on lap 177 due to the lighting issue on the track. It is very dark near the wall in turns three and four. Leader Denny Hamlin reports that the lack of lighting isn’t affecting him.
Pit road opens and the drivers come down pit road for service. Denny Hamlin reports a tight condition in his car. Hamlin wins the race off of pit road with William Byron coming out second. There is a fire in William Byron’s pit.
Christopher Bell makes a second trip down pit road for more adjustments and to check the toe link.
Joey Logano also makes another trip down pit road reporting that he continues to have issues.
After having to make two trips down pit road due to a loose wheel, Martin Truex Jr is a lap down.
NASCAR continues to work on the lighting issue; but they are also communicating with the drivers about the lighting issue and whether or not it is safe to return to green flag racing.
Lap 189, NASCAR has brought the cars to a stop on the track and red flagged the race until the lighting issue is fixed.
Christopher Bell is on pit road with the car looking at the car and were making repairs before the red flag came out. Now they are taking photos to determine what else needs to be done.
Joey Logano’s crew made some adjustments to the car to try and keep him from going laps down.
A rousing cheer rose from the crowd as the lights began working again. NASCAR has pulled the red flag and displayed the yellow to get the cars moving again.
Denny Hamling brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 192 with Hamlin holding on to the lead with Kyle Larson in second; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Aric Almirola bounces off the wall but the track stays green.
Joey Logano is the last car on the lead lap in 22nd with Martin Truex Jr in 23rd and Ricky Stenhouse Jr in 24th.
Four of the playoff drivers are a lap down – Martin Truex Jr, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Christopher Bell, and Michael McDowell.
Lap 199, Denny Hamlin has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Larson; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Lap 208, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a lead of over half a second on Kyle Larson; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.
Lap 210, Erik Jones has joined Chase Elliott as non-playoff drivers in the top 10.
Lap 212, Kyle Larson has closed the gap on leader Denny Hamlin to under half a second.
Lap 215, Kyle Busch passes Chase Elliott for eighth.
David Pearson tops the list of winner at Darlington with 10 wins; Denny Hamlin has four wins at Darlington and six more in the Xfinity Series.
Laps 217, BJ McLeod brings out the caution flag on lap 217 when he is stopped on the track. McLeod is out of his car that was smoking. Ricky Stenhouse Jr is the “lucky dog”.
Denny Hamlin lead the parade of drivers coming down pit road for fresh tires. Tyler Reddick is the happiest he has been with the car but Denny Hamlin is a little tight. Hamlin wins the race off of pit road with Kyle Larson in second.
Several drivers down a lap took the wave around to get back on the lead lap.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart with just nine laps remaining in stage two. Hamlin jumps out in front of Kyle Larson to hold on to the lead with Erik Jones in third.
The top five are Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron.
There are now 29 cars on the lead lap.
The caution flag comes out with six laps to go in stage two when Ty Gibbs and Austin Cindric get into a wreck that send Cindric into the wall. Both drivers pull away from the crash.
Some of the drivers come down pit road for fresh tires. Joey Logano reports that his car “still isn’t right”.
Christopher Bell spins out just as the caution flag comes out.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the one lap shootout to end stage number two with Kyle Larson on the inside. Hamlin jumps out in front for the lead while Erik Jones and Kyle Larson battle for second.
Denny Hamlin sweeps the stages with his stage two win.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson
Erik Jones
William Byron
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Busch
Ryan Blaney
Austin Dillon
Brad Keselowski
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Only a few drivers come down pit road for service including playoff drivers Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 237 with Erik Jones alongside on the inside. Hamlin jumps out to hold on to the lead with Kyle Larson in second; Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick, and William Byron round out the top five.
There are 30 cars on the lead lap with BM McLeod off the track.
Lap 241, Denny Hamlin leads the race with Kyle Larson less than half a second behind; Tyler Reddick, William Byron, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Kyle Busch restarted the race in 22nd after coming down pit road at the end of stage two; he is now in 17th.
Lap 248, after running back in the field and even a lap down at one point, Ross Chastain is just outside the top 10 in eleventh.
Tyler Reddick reports that he has lost his gear indicator and has no idea of what gear he is in. He is currently running in third place.
Lap 257, Denny Hamlin continues to dominate the race with a has a two second lead on Tyler Reddick; Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Kyle Larson gets into the wall and reports that the car was in neutral. The track stays green.
William Byron passes Kyle Larson for third.
Kevin Harvick passes Kyle Larson for fourth.
Lap 262, Denny Hamlin has a second and a half lead on Tyler Reddick; William Byron, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
With 101 laps remaining, Tyler Reddick reports that now the car is popping out of gear. Denny Hamlin has a one second lead on second place driver Reddick.
Lap 270, Kyle Busch is the first driver on pit road for green flag pit stops to begin the cycle.
Martin Truex Jr reports that the car is acting a little funny for him as he makes his pit stop.
Leader Denny Hamlin comes down pit road and gives the lead over to Corey LaJoie.
Tyler Reddick comes off of pit road in front of Denny Hamlin.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr reports that the car is too tight and will not turn as he makes his pit stop.
Denny Hamlin comes down pit road with a possible loose wheel. Hamlin comes back out on the track in 30th place – one lap down.
Lap 275, Tyler Reddick has a lead of a second and a half on William Byron; Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
So far half of the playoff drivers have had some sort of an issue.
Denny Hamlin’s crew has been unable to find the tire that Hamlin felt was loose.
Lap 283, Tyler Reddick has a lead of over a second on William Byron; Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
With 80 laps to go, Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a second and a half lead on William Byron; Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Tyler Reddick has put Justin Haley a lap down; putting Haley in the “lucky dog” position with Hamlin behind Haley.
BJ McLeod is out of the race.
JJ Yeley gets into the wall but gets down on the apron and on pit road before the caution flag comes out and the track stays green.
Seventy to go, Tyler Reddick holds a second and a half lead on William Byron; Kevin Harvick, Kyle Larson, and Erik Jones round out the top five.
Lap 300, Kevin Harvick easily passes William Byron for second.
Lap 305, Kevin Harvick is closing the gap on leader Tyler Reddick and is now just half a second back.
Sixty to go, Tyler Reddick has a lead of less than half a second on Kevin Harvick; William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher round out the top five. There are 26 cars on the lead lap.
Kyle Busch brings his car down pit road after “nailing” the wall.
Lap 310, Kevin Harvick and Tyler Reddick battle for the lead and brings the crowd to their feet..
Ryan Newman slides sideways and brings out the caution flag. Kevin Harvick and Joey Logano were coming down pit road as the caution flag came out.
Drivers come down pit road for service. William Byron barely missed the “cone”. Kyle Larson believes that he has a toe issue.
Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road with Tyler Reddick coming out second.
Kevin Harvick was charged with pitting while pit road was closed and will have to restart the race from the back of the field. Kyle Larson is the leader.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chris Buescher on the inside with 51 laps remaining in the race. Larson gets out in front for the lead with Tyler Reddick taking second; Chris Buescher, Brad Keselowski, and William Byron round out the top five.
The caution flag comes out for a crash involving Harrison Burton, Alex Bowman, and Daniel Suarez. Suarez takes his car to the garage. Alex Bowman is on pit road for repairs.
Martin Truex Jr is the “lucky dog”. After leading 177 laps and sweeping the stages, Denny Hamlin is still one lap down.
Chase Elliott says that he is “plowing tight”.
Several drivers come down pit road for service.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with 40 laps remaining in the race. Kyle Larson beats out Chris Buescher for the lead with Tyler Reddick in third; Brad Keselowski and William Byron round out the top five.
Todd Gilliland, Denny Hamlin, and Michael McDowell bring out the caution flag with 37 laps to go. Gilliland spins out and collects Hamlin, McDowell, and Christopher Bell. Hamlin and McDowell were in a battle for the “lucky dog” spot when the caution came out. Austin Dillon and Kyle Busch were also involved.
A “lucky dog” driver involved in a crash cannot get the “lucky dog”; therefore there is no “lucky dog” on this caution.
Drivers come down pit road for fresh tires.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with 31 laps remaining in the race. Larson gets out in front for the lead with Tyler Reddick taking second; Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
With 29 to go, Tyler Reddick begns to challenge Kyle Larson for the lead.
Just 27 laps remain in the race; Kyle Larson has a narrow lead on Tyler Reddick. Larson slaps the wall again but holds on to the lead.
The top five are Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace.
Tyler Reddick slaps the wall.
Christopher Bell is the las car on the lead lap in 23rd place.
Twenty to go, Kyle Larson has a third of a second lead on Tyler Reddick; Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
Just 16 laps remain in the race; Kyle Larson has a half second lead on Tyler Reddick.
Twelve to go, Kyle Larson has a lead of over half a second on Tyler Reddick; Chris Buescher, William Byron, and Bubba Wallace round out the top five.
Ten to go, Kyle Larson has never won a race at Darlington.
Seven to go, Kyle Larson has a near half second lead and once again slaps the wall. Ross Chastain passes Bubba Wallace for fifth.
Five to go, Kyle Larson holds on to the lead with Tyler Reddick in second.
Two to go, Kyle Larson is comfortably in the lead as Chris Buescher puts pressure on Tyler Reddick.
Kyle Larson takes the white flag.
Kyle Larson wins the Southern 500 and becomes the first driver to lock in a spot in the next round of the playoffs. The win gives Rick Hendrick career win number 299.
The unofficial results of the Cook Out Southern 500:
Kyle Larson
Tyler Reddick
Chris Buescher
William Byron
Ross Chastain
Brad Keselowski
Bubba Wallace
Chase Elliott
Ryan Blaney
Erik Jones
Kyle Busch
Joey Logano
AJ Allmendinger
Aric Almirola
Chase Briscoe
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Carson Hocevar
Martin Truex Jr
Kevin Harvick
Austin Dillon
Ty Gibbs
Corey LaJoie
Christopher Bell
Justin Haley
Denny Hamlin
Todd Gilliland
Ryan Newman
Ryan Preece
Ty Dillon
JJ Yeley
Austin Cindric
Michael McDowell
Alex Bowman
Daniel Suarez
Harrison Burton
BJ McLeod
Darlington Rough on Playoff Drivers
