The NASCAR Cup Series Darlington playoffs kick off this weekend at Darlington Raceway, with Denny Hamlin capturing the pole position during Saturday’s qualifying round. The event starts the Round of 16, and Hamlin’s strong performance puts him at the head of a competitive field as the championship chase intensifies in South Carolina.
Hamlin’s History and Front Row Lineup
Returning to a track dubbed “The Lady in Black,” Denny Hamlin arrives with momentum, having clinched victory at Darlington earlier in the season. This pole marks another milestone, strengthening his record as he begins his 27th Cup Series race at Darlington, a venue where he already owns five wins. Sharing the front row with Hamlin is teammate Chase Briscoe, the winner of this race in 2024, both determined to secure an early playoff victory from the leading positions on Sunday.
Main Contenders and Notable Qualifying Results
Behind the front row, Josh Berry and Tyler Reddick secured third and fourth starting spots, with Kyle Larson completing the top five for Sunday’s race. Other playoff drivers showing strong form include Ross Chastain, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace, Austin Dillon, and Austin Cindric, all qualified in the front half of the grid. William Byron and Ryan Blaney round out the dozen playoff qualifiers at the front, while Justin Haley sits as the highest-starting non-playoff driver, beginning in thirteenth position.
Full Starting Grid for the Playoff Opener
The starting order for this weekend’s pivotal race at Darlington Raceway is as follows:
1. Denny Hamlin
2. Chase Briscoe
3. Josh Berry
4. Tyler Reddick
5. Kyle Larson
6. Ross Chastain
7. Christopher Bell
8. Bubba Wallace
9. Austin Dillon
10. Austin Cindric
11. William Byron
12. Ryan Blaney
13. Justin Haley
14. Joey Logano
15. Chris Buescher
16. Ty Gibbs
17. Daniel Suarez
18. Cole Custer
19. Erik Jones
20. Shane van Gisbergen
21. Chase Elliott
22. AJ Allmendinger
23. Kyle Busch
24. Zane Smith
25. Michael McDowell
26. Carson Hocevar
27. Ryan Preece
28. Todd Gilliland
29. Alex Bowman
30. John H. Nemechek
31. Ty Dillon
32. Brad Keselowski
33. Riley Herbst
34. Noah Gragson
35. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
36. Cody Ware
37. Derek Kraus
38. Timmy Hill
Surprises and Playoff Implications
Among the surprises from qualifying, Shane van Gisbergen starts in the twentieth position, outpacing veteran drivers such as Chase Elliott, Kyle Busch, Alex Bowman, and Brad Keselowski. The intense competition reflects the high stakes of the playoff opener, as the top twelve positions are dominated by championship contenders, emphasizing the competitive depth of this season’s NASCAR field.
What to Expect During the Darlington Playoff Opener
Denny Hamlin is set to lead the field to green tomorrow at approximately 6:05 p.m. ET, igniting the NASCAR Cup Series Darlington playoffs in dramatic fashion. With Hamlin eyeing a possible season sweep at Darlington and other contenders like Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Tyler Reddick, and Ross Chastain poised to challenge, the opening race promises high energy and fierce battles on one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks.
As the Round of 16 begins, every position, strategy decision, and pit stop will shape the championship picture, making this weekend’s event pivotal for drivers, teams, and fans invested in the playoff pursuit.
