STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 28, 2025 – The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs begin with the Cook Out Southern 500 from Darlington Raceway in South Carolina this Sunday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. ET on USA Network. Live pre-race coverage on USA Network begins at 5:30 p.m. ET with Countdown to Green. A “Crown Jewel” event, the Cook Out Southern 500 is one of the sport’s most iconic races, taking place on a track both physically and mentally demanding.
NASCAR
NASCAR Cup Playoffs Odds and Ends
Chase Briscoe has turned in a personal best season in his first year driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, claiming a series-high six pole positions (including the Daytona 500), winning at Pocono Raceway this summer and eclipsing all his season-best marks in top-five (10) and top-10 (12) finishes with 10 races remaining. And he made the Playoffs.
After A Stressful Night At Daytona, Alex Bowman Is Ready For A Playoff Run
Alex Bowman didn’t know until the absolute last second whether he would have a Playoff spot or not.
On the final lap of the final NASCAR Cup Series regular-season race last Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, two winless drivers—Cole Custer and Justin Haley—alternately surged ahead. A victory by either driver would have eliminated Bowman from the Playoffs.
Will Shane Van Gisbergen Be The Surprise Of The 2025 Playoffs?
While this is the first appearance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs for Shane Van Gisbergen, the 2025 Rookie of the Year candidate is certainly used to Playoff pressure.
Ryan Blaney Hopes To Extend Team Penske Streak In NASCAR Cup Playoffs
When it comes to the NASCAR Cup Series championship, Team Penske is undefeated in the era of the Next Gen race car, which debuted in NASCAR’s top division in 2022.
NASCAR Playoffs Feature A “Different” Bubba Wallace This Year
The Bubba Wallace who takes the green flag in the Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway won’t be the same Bubba Wallace who eked out a Playoff berth two years ago.
How do we know? Wallace says so.
Defending Champ Joey Logano Exudes Confidence As Playoffs Begin
Three-time and reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano seemed almost ready to dare someone to doubt his chances at a historically significant fourth NASCAR Cup Series title, as the Playoffs begin.
NASCAR Cup Drivers See 2025 Playoffs As A Wide-Open Affair
CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Unlike in previous years, none of the frontrunners competing in this season’s NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs could—or were willing to—name an absolute favorite to hoist the champion’s trophy Nov. 2 at Phoenix.
In fact, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell, a three-race winner, said he’s feeling as calm as he’s ever felt entering the 10-race Playoff stretch that begins Sunday in the Cook Out Southern 500 at historic Darlington (S.C.) Raceway (6 p.m. ET on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
NASCAR Cup Series News & Notes – Darlington Raceway
NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: Cook Out Southern 500
The Place: Darlington Raceway
Track Length: 1.366 Mile Asphalt Oval
The Date: Sunday, August 31
The Time: 6 p.m. ET
The Purse: $10,447,135
TV: USA, 5:30 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 501.32 miles (367 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 115),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 230), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 367)
NASCAR Xfinity Series News & Notes – Portland International Raceway
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Next Race: Pacific Office Automation 147
The Place: Portland International Raceway
Track Length: 1.967 Mile Asphalt Road Course
The Date: Saturday, August 30
The Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Purse: $1,651,939
TV: CW, 7 p.m. ET
Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 147.75 miles (75 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 25),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 50), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 75)