Bell Passes Defending NASCAR Champion Larson to Win the Southern 500 to Start the Chase
Bell passed Kyle Larson late to win the Southern 500, earning his first victory of 2026 and cutting Denny Hamlin’s lead to 12 points.
- On Sunday, Sept. 6, NASCAR driver Christopher Bell won the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, claiming his first victory of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.
- Benefiting from a strategic pit stop during the final caution, Bell passed Kyle Larson, NASCAR driver, with 11 laps remaining to secure the lead in the Chase-opening race.
- Bell surged to 2,123 points in the playoff standings, moving within 12 points of series leader Denny Hamlin, NASCAR driver, who maintains 2,135 points.
- Despite sustaining toe link damage from contact with NASCAR driver Michael McDowell, Hamlin finished 18th but salvaged 16 stage points to maintain the top playoff seed.
- The 10-race Chase continues next Sunday at the World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis for the second event of the postseason.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Christopher Bell Fulfills Lifelong Darlington Dream Opening Cup Series Chase in Victory Lane
The wait at Darlington had become almost personal for Christopher Bell. Year after year, he returned to the track he called the ultimate driver’s circuit, only to leave without the one result he wanted most. The best he managed was third place on the podium. Twice! But still, even with a career that had already […]
The Toronto Star
Bell passes defending NASCAR champion Larson to win the Southern 500 to start the Chase
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Christopher Bell passed Kyle Larson with 18 laps to go and held on to win the Chase-opening Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday night.
Racing News
BVM Sports USNASCAR standings after Darlington Raceway (September 2026)
NASCAR Cup Series points after the opening race of The Chase On Sunday night, the NASCAR Cup Series raced on the 1.366-mile of Darlington Raceway. The race in South Carolina opened The Chase and Christopher Bell found victory lane. View NASCAR standings after the Southern 500 below. Denny Hamlin has led the points for weeks. ...
Who Won The NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 at Darlington? Full Race Results
Christopher Bell opened The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series by earning his first victory of the 2026 season. After passing Kyle Larson for the lead with 12 circuits remaining, Bell captured the victory in Sunday night’s Cook Out Southern 500 at the Darlington Raceway. It was Bell’s first Darlington win, first victory of the 2026 […]
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