Bell passes defending NASCAR champion Larson to win the Southern 500 to start the Chase
- 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.
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NASCAR Power Rankings After Christopher Bell's Win At Darlington To Open The Chase
After seven previous runner-up finishes in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, Joe Gibbs Racing star Christopher Bell finally broke through to claim victory on Sunday, and he did so at perhaps the best possible time. Bell’s victory in the historic Southern 500 at Darlington, which also served as the opening race of the 2026 […]
Bell passes Larson late at Darlington
Christopher Bell, hampered by seven runner-up finishes through 26 races, opened The Chase postseason Sunday by notching his first Southern 500 victory, capturing the 77th running of the crown jewel race at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C.
Bell passes defending NASCAR champion Larson to win the Southern 500 to start the Chase – WTOP News
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Christopher Bell is finally second-to-none this season. Bell's crazy, frustrating season of seven second-place finishes without a victor
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