The Lady in Black can leave Cup Series drivers feeling blue.
It’s a menace of a track, with slick turns and sun-scorched asphalt that can prove all the more difficult to maneuver around when the moon comes out. At 1.366 miles, it’s your proverbial short track, the sort of course that has come to represent so much of what is good about NASCAR.
Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin have found the most success at the surface over the years, each snagging two wins there. Still, it retains its status as one of the more unpredictable locales in the Cup Series calendar. That’s just perfect for a postseason showdown.
MORE: Watch the Southern 500 live with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Sunday’s race at Darlington, the Southern 500. Follow below for highlights and live results at the Cup Series playoffs kicks off in South Carolina.
NASCAR at Darlington live updates, highlights from Southern 500
(All times Eastern)
6:30 p.m.: Impressive showing by Carson Hocevar so far. The Truck Series star is making his Cup Series debut in Legacy Motor Club’s No. 42 car. He put together quite the qualifying lap, clocking in with a top-15 time. Been keeping the pace in the early stages, too.
6:25 p.m.: Wallace already making his way up in the track. Took a slight bump from A.J. Allmendinger, but he went from P18 to P13 in eight laps.
6:20 p.m.: And we’re off! Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin leading the way! Strong run by Tyler Reddick, who has thrust himself beyond Hamlin and into second.
6:10 p.m.: Hasn’t been the most prolific season for reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano. But with the playoffs starting up, it could be time for him to turn things up. Race commands are in! We’re about 10 minutes from the race’s start.
5:55 p.m.: Ryan Preece back in the saddle for this race. His eyes may be a bit bruised, but his vision is still clear.
5:45 p.m.: First race of the Cup Series postseason. The air here is thick with tension. JGR in the driver’s seat with two drivers in the front row.
5:20 p.m.: Only car to the rear is Kyle Busch. Will be a long road back for the RCR star.
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV channel: USA (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
- Live stream: Peacock, Fubo
- Radio: MRN
Saturday’s race will be broadcast on USA Network in the United States. Canadian viewers can find the action on TSN5.
Veteran announcer Rick Allen will lead the race’s lap-by-lap commentator. He’ll be joined by former Cup Series stars Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr., as well as former Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.
Cord-cutters can follow the action on Peacock, as well as with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
NASCAR start time today
- Date: Sunday, September 3
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
The Southern 500 has a listed start time of 6 p.m. ET., but pre-race festivities are expected to push the waving of the green flag closer to 6:30 p.m. ET.
NASCAR at Darlington starting lineup 2023
Leading the field for Sunday night’s race are Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin. Below is the rest of the starting lineup for the race:
| Starting pos. | Driver | Car No. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Bell (P) | 20 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 2 | Denny Hamlin (P) | 11 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 3 | Tyler Reddick (P) | 45 | 23XI Racing |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney (P) | 12 | Team Penske |
| 5 | Brad Keselowski (P) | 6 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 6 | Joey Logano (P) | 22 | Team Penske |
| 7 | Kevin Harvick (P) | 4 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 8 | Chris Buescher (P) | 17 | Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing |
| 9 | Michael McDowell (P) | 34 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 10 | Aric Almirola | 10 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 11 | Kyle Busch (P) | 8 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 12 | Chase Briscoe | 14 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 13 | Chase Elliott | 9 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 14 | Austin Cindric | 2 | Team Penske |
| 15 | Carson Hocevar | 42 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 16 | A.J. Allmendinger | 16 | Kaulig Racing |
| 17 | Ty Gibbs | 54 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 18 | Kyle Larson (P) | 5 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 19 | Bubba Wallace (P) | 23 | 23XI Racing |
| 20 | Erik Jones | 43 | Legacy Motor Club |
| 21 | Daniel Suarez | 99 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 22 | Corey LaJoie | 7 | Spire Motorsports |
| 23 | William Byron (P) | 24 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 24 | Alex Bowman | 48 | Hendrick Motorsports |
| 25 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 47 | JTG Daugherty Racing |
| 26 | Ty Dillon | 77 | Spire Motorsports |
| 27 | Ross Chastain (P) | 1 | Trackhouse Racing |
| 28 | Austin Dillon | 3 | Richard Childress Racing |
| 29 | Justin Haley | 31 | Kaulig Racing |
| 30 | Todd Gilliland | 38 | Front Row Motorsports |
| 31 | Martin Truex Jr. (P) | 19 | Joe Gibbs Racing |
| 32 | Harrison Burton | 21 | Wood Brothers Racing |
| 33 | J.J. Yeley | 15 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 34 | Ryan Preece | 41 | Stewart-Haas Racing |
| 35 | Ryan Newman | 51 | Rick Ware Racing |
| 36 | B.J. McLeod | 78 | Live Fast Motorsports |