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The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs open at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31, 2025. This Sunday’s race marks the beginning of the 10-race playoff series between this season’s 16 top drivers. With 26 regular-season races completed, the 16 drivers with the most points have advanced to the playoffs, including Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin, who hold the top three spots. At the end of the third playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway, three drivers will be eliminated from playoff contention, with additional drivers eliminated after Race No. 6 (Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Oct. 5) and Race No. 9, the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville on Oct. 26. By the final race, just four drivers will race for the championship title at Phoenix Raceway in November.

Here’s everything you need to know about the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs schedule, how to watch NASCAR’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway and more.

How to watch NASCAR’s Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway:

Date: Sunday, August 31

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Location: Cook Out Southern 500, Darlington Raceway Darlington, SC

Channel: USA

Streaming:DirecTV, Fubo TV, Sling, HBO Max (Driver-cam) and more

What channel is NASCAR’s Cook Out Southern 500 on?

The Cook Out Southern 500 will air this Sunday night on USA. The broadcast begins at 6 p.m. ET. An alternate driver-cam will also be available to stream live on HBO Max. Additional Cup Series practice and qualifying coverage this Saturday will air on truTV.

NASCAR Cook Out Southern 500 weekend TV schedule:

Saturday, August 30

• Cook Out Southern 500 Practice, 9 a.m. (truTV)

• Cook Out Southern 500 Qualifying, 10:10 a.m. (truTV)

Sunday, August 31

• Cook Out Southern 500, 6 p.m. (USA, NBC Sports App, HBO Max)

Where to stream NASCAR’s Cook Out Southern 500:

The Cook Out Southern 500 can be streamed on USA with a subscription to platforms like DirecTV, Fubo and Sling. A complete viewing schedule of every race this weekend and how to watch them live is below.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff schedule:

Here are the 10 races that make up the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. (All times Eastern)

• Race No. 1: Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m. (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 2: Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway, Sunday, Sept. 7, 3 p.m. (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 3: Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Saturday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 4: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2 p.m. ET (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 5: Hollywood Casino 400at Kansas Speedway, Sunday, Sept. 28, 3 p.m. (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 6: Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 5, 3 p.m. (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 7: South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 12, 5:30 p.m. (USA, HBO Max)

• Race No. 8 YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, HBO Max)

• Race No. 9: Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, HBO Max)

• Race No. 10: NASCAR Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m. (NBC, Peacock, HBO Max)

Who is competing in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs?

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Standings

1. Kyle Larson, +26 points

2. William Byron, +26

3. Denny Hamlin, +23

4. Ryan Blaney, +20

5. Christopher Bell, +17

6. Shane van Gisbergen, +16

7. Chase Elliott, +7

8. Chase Briscoe, +4

9. Bubba Wallace, +2

10. Austin Cindric, +2

11. Ross Chastain, +1

12. Joey Logano, +1

13. Josh Berry, -1

14. Tyler Reddick, -1

15. Austin Dillon, -2

16. Alex Bowman, -5

Other ways to watch the NASCAR playoffs without cable this season: