Get ready for an action-packed weekend as the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs kick off at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina!
Fans can check the NASCAR starting grid and TV schedule for Darlington Raceway today to catch every lap.
From the Southern 500 Darlington to the NASCAR Truck Series Darlington and Xfinity Series Portland, this Darlington Raceway 2025 schedule has all the details on lap times, pole positions, and playoff points for top drivers like Denny Hamlin NASCAR, Kyle Larson NASCAR, and Tyler Reddick NASCAR.
Overview: Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs begin this weekend with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. Fans are ready for a thrilling NASCAR race today featuring top drivers and teams competing for playoff points.
This Darlington Raceway 2025 schedule includes everything from qualifying laps, starting grid positions, and TV broadcasts to post-race highlights. Make sure to follow the NASCAR starting grid and TV schedule for Darlington Raceway today to catch all the action.
Darlington Raceway Track Details
Track Length, Stages, and Purse
Darlington Raceway is a 1.366-mile oval track known for its unique shape and challenging turns. The NASCAR stage breakdown for the Southern 500 Darlington includes Stage 1: 115 laps, Stage 2: 230 laps, Stage 3: 367 laps.
The race purse is a whopping $10,447,135, making it one of the most prestigious events of the NASCAR Cup Series 2025 season.
TV Schedule for Darlington Raceway Races
Saturday: NASCAR Truck & Xfinity Series
- 12:00 PM ET – FS2 NASCAR: NASCAR Truck Series Darlington race kicks off.
- 7:30 PM ET – CW | MRN: NASCAR Xfinity Series Portland race airs.
Sunday: NASCAR Cup Series Broadcasts
- 6:00 PM ET – USA | NBC Sports App | HBO Max: Watch the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Darlington.
- Stay updated with NASCAR.com Press Pass for post-race highlights and NASCAR race results.
Full NASCAR Cup Series Starting Lineup
Top 10 Drivers on the Grid
| Position | Driver | Lap Time (sec) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denny Hamlin NASCAR | 28.694 |
| 2 | Chase Briscoe NASCAR | 28.715 |
| 3 | Josh Berry NASCAR | 28.829 |
| 4 | Tyler Reddick NASCAR | 28.848 |
| 5 | Kyle Larson NASCAR | 28.925 |
| 6 | Ross Chastain NASCAR | 28.933 |
| 7 | Christopher Bell NASCAR | 28.962 |
| 8 | Bubba Wallace NASCAR | 28.985 |
| 9 | Austin Dillon NASCAR | 29.004 |
| 10 | Austin Cindric NASCAR | 29.023 |
Complete Positions 11–36
| Pos | Driver | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | William Byron NASCAR | 29.025 |
| 12 | Ryan Blaney NASCAR | 29.032 |
| 13 | Justin Haley NASCAR | 29.060 |
| 14 | Joey Logano NASCAR | 29.080 |
| 15 | Chris Buescher NASCAR | 29.082 |
| 16 | Ty Gibbs NASCAR | 29.127 |
| 17 | Daniel Suarez NASCAR | 29.172 |
| 18 | Cole Custer NASCAR | 29.196 |
| 19 | Erik Jones NASCAR | 29.216 |
| 20 | Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR | 29.223 |
| 21 | Chase Elliott NASCAR | 29.226 |
| 22 | AJ Allmendinger NASCAR | 29.234 |
| 23 | Kyle Busch NASCAR | 29.235 |
| 24 | Zane Smith NASCAR | 29.245 |
| 25 | Carson Hocevar NASCAR | 29.249 |
| 26 | Michael McDowell NASCAR | 29.249 |
| 27 | Ryan Preece NASCAR | 29.254 |
| 28 | Todd Gilliland NASCAR | 29.263 |
| 29 | Alex Bowman NASCAR | 29.269 |
| 30 | John Hunter Nemechek NASCAR | 29.327 |
| 31 | Ty Dillon NASCAR | 29.338 |
| 32 | Brad Keselowski NASCAR | 29.401 |
| 33 | Riley Herbst NASCAR | 29.445 |
| 34 | Noah Gragson NASCAR | 29.511 |
| 35 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr NASCAR | 29.663 |
| 36 | Cody Ware NASCAR | 29.997 |
| 37 | Derek Kraus NASCAR | 30.451 |
| 38 | Timmy Hill NASCAR | 31.025 |
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings Before Darlington
Top 12 Playoff Contenders
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|
| 1 | Kyle Larson NASCAR | +26 |
| 2 | William Byron NASCAR | +26 |
| 3 | Denny Hamlin NASCAR | +23 |
| 4 | Ryan Blaney NASCAR | +20 |
| 5 | Christopher Bell NASCAR | +17 |
| 6 | Shane van Gisbergen NASCAR | +16 |
| 7 | Chase Elliott NASCAR | +7 |
| 8 | Chase Briscoe NASCAR | +4 |
| 9 | Bubba Wallace NASCAR | +2 |
| 10 | Austin Cindric NASCAR | +2 |
| 11 | Ross Chastain NASCAR | +1 |
| 12 | Joey Logano NASCAR | +1 |
Drivers on the Cutline
- Josh Berry NASCAR | -1
- Tyler Reddick NASCAR | -1
- Austin Dillon NASCAR | -2
- Alex Bowman NASCAR | -5
The Round of 16 (Playoffs) begins here, with top drivers fighting to advance to the Round of 12 Cutline.
Key Drivers to Watch at Darlington
Keep an eye on Denny Hamlin NASCAR, Kyle Larson NASCAR, Tyler Reddick NASCAR, Chase Elliott NASCAR, and Brad Keselowski NASCAR.
Their lap times, pole positions, and NASCAR starting lineup positions make them strong contenders for the Southern 500 Darlington.
William Byron NASCAR and Bubba Wallace NASCAR are also racing for key playoff points, adding more excitement to the NASCAR Cup playoff opener.
How to Follow the Race Online and On TV
- FS2 NASCAR: Live Truck Series coverage
- USA Network NASCAR: Cup Series broadcast
- NBC Sports App NASCAR: Stream live races
- HBO Max NASCAR stream: Watch anytime
- CW NASCAR coverage / MRN NASCAR radio: Xfinity Series and live commentary
- NASCAR.com: Updates, qualifying results, and post-race highlights
Check the Darlington Raceway schedule TODAY and NASCAR Darlington race TV schedule for exact start times.
Summary: What Fans Need to Know
The Darlington race today promises intense racing action and key NASCAR playoff points. From NASCAR Truck Series Darlington to the NASCAR Cup Series 2025, fans can follow lap times, pole positions, and starting grid positions.
Top drivers like Kyle Larson NASCAR, Denny Hamlin NASCAR, and Chase Elliott NASCAR are ready to battle for victory. Tune in via FS2, USA, NBC Sports App, CW, MRN, and HBO Max NASCAR stream to catch every thrilling moment.
I’m Nova Lane — a sharp-eyed writer covering the fast lanes of news and auto trends. Fueled by facts and driven by detail, I break down complex stories into clear, compelling reads. Whether it’s the latest industry shifts or what’s under the hood, I bring you insight that moves just as fast as the world around us.
