Cook Out Southern 500 2026

Darlington Raceway is considered the oldest racetrack in NASCAR Cup. The 1.366-mile course, or 2.198 kilometers, in South Carolina was built in 1949/1950 by Harold Brasington as an asphalt superspeedway and opened in September 1950 with the first running of the Southern 500. It was also the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history and the first to be run on asphalt instead of dirt, a milestone that established the track’s reputation as the birthplace of modern stock car racing.

Since its opening, the facility has undergone numerous renovations, but has always maintained its character as a compact, uncompromising challenge for drivers and equipment. Over the decades, Darlington remained a staple of the Cup schedule and developed into a symbol of tradition, where generations of NASCAR drivers have tested themselves.

The distinctive oval-shaped layout with only four turns is unique in the Cup schedule to this day: one turn is tight and steep, while the opposite side is wide and open, a design that resulted from the original space constraints of the building site. The banked turns with 25 and 23 degrees of banking demand the finest touch from drivers, which is why Darlington carries its nickname Lady in Black and the notorious Darlington Stripes, paint damage from contact with the outside wall, have become a permanent part of the track’s legend.

The official track record is held by Denny Hamlin, who completed the tight lap in 28.332 seconds in 2018, a benchmark that underscores the combination of speed and precision required on the narrow asphalt ribbon. As the winner of the Southern 500 2025, Chase Briscoe added his name to the long list of champions who have been immortalized on the Lady in Black since 1950.

To this day, the Cook Out Southern 500 ranks among the traditional races on the NASCAR schedule and regularly serves as the opening event of the Playoffs. With this, Darlington renews its reputation as one of the most demanding and historically significant venues in the sport year after year.