2024 Cook Out Southern 500 Qualifying Order: The qualifying order for the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway presents a compelling narrative, particularly with Shane van Gisbergen and Timmy Hill leading their respective groups. Van Gisbergen’s standout metric score of 33.600 indicates a strong competitive edge, while Hill’s score of 42.050 suggests potential for surprises among the seasoned veterans like Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott. As the anticipation builds for the race on September 1, the implications of this lineup on strategy and performance warrant closer examination. What challenges might arise as these drivers navigate the complexities of Darlington?
Key Highlights
- Shane van Gisbergen leads Group A with a metric score of 33.600, indicating a strong qualifying performance potential.
- Timmy Hill tops Group B with a metric score of 42.050, showcasing his competitiveness in the lineup.
- Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott are notable drivers in Group A, known for their past successes in NASCAR.
- Group B includes other strong competitors like Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr., adding to the competitive field of 37 drivers.
- The Cook Out Southern 500 is critical for playoff points, making qualifying performance especially important for drivers.
Event Overview and Schedule
The 75th annual Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway promises to be an essential event in the NASCAR calendar, marking the final phase of the regular season. Scheduled for September 1, 2024, this race represents the 26th contest of the season, emphasizing its prominence as drivers vie for vital points heading into the playoffs.
The race will commence at 6 p.m. ET, setting the stage for an exhilarating 500-mile showdown on the storied 1.366-mile-long track located in Darlington, South Carolina.
Darlington Raceway, renowned for its unique egg-shaped design, features a challenging layout with 25 degrees of banking in turns 1 and 2, and 23 degrees in turns 3 and 4. The frontstretch and backstretch present a less severe banking of 3 and 2 degrees, respectively, demanding tactical precision from drivers.
The Cook Out Southern 500 is not only vital for its historical legacy, being the initial race of its kind held in 1950, but also for its competitive field of 37 drivers poised to compete.
As the weekend unfolds, the schedule includes a practice session on Saturday, August 31, at 12:35 p.m. ET, followed by a qualifying session at 1:20 p.m. ET on USA Network. These preliminary events are essential for establishing starting positions and will set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling finale to the NASCAR regular season.
Qualifying Order and Key Details
Kicking off the qualifying session for the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500, drivers are poised to showcase their skills in a competitive atmosphere at Darlington Raceway. With Shane van Gisbergen and Timmy Hill leading Group A and Group B respectively, the stage is set for an intense showdown. The metric scores reveal the competitive edge each driver brings, with van Gisbergen topping Group A at 33.600 and Hill leading Group B with a notable score of 42.050.
As teams prepare for this essential qualifying round, several key details emerge that will certainly influence race strategy and performance:
- Group A Highlights: Notable contenders like Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott are positioned to make substantial impacts given their historical performance on this track.
- Group B Dynamics: With Timmy Hill’s exceptional score, the competition in Group B is fierce, showcasing emerging talents alongside seasoned veterans like Joey Logano and Martin Truex Jr.
- Metric Scores Insight: Understanding the metric scores provides insight into each driver’s current form and potential, vital for predicting their qualifying performance and race day strategy.
Pressure is on for the regular-season finale. @TooToughToTame | #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/5bvURXCYuG
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 28, 2024
As the session unfolds, the interplay of skill, strategy, and track conditions will be pivotal in determining the starting grid for the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500, setting the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating race weekend.
Broadcast Information
Fans can tune in to catch all the action of the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 as it unfolds at Darlington Raceway. This prestigious NASCAR Cup Series event will be broadcast live on NBC Sports and USA Network, providing fans with thorough coverage of the qualifying and race day activities.
The choice of networks reflects NASCAR’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality motorsports content to its audience. NBC Sports has a long history of presenting live racing events, ensuring viewers experience the thrill of the competition from multiple angles. The USA Network complements this coverage, reaching a wide audience enthusiastic to engage with the sport.
For enthusiasts keen on analysis and expert commentary, both networks will feature seasoned commentators and analysts who will offer insights into the intricacies of the race, driver performances, and team strategies. The broadcasts will also include pre-race and post-race shows, enriching the viewing experience with interviews and in-depth discussions.
Qualifying orders for Darlington. pic.twitter.com/zY28bCGAOt
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 28, 2024
Fans should be sure to check local listings for specific broadcast times, as the schedule may vary. Furthermore, for those unable to watch live, replays and highlights will be available on numerous platforms, ensuring that all fans can engage with the event at their convenience.
Group A
| Driver Name | Score |
|
Shane Van Gisbergen
|
33.60 |
| Daniel Suarez | 31.80 |
| Ryan Preece | 30.45 |
| Denny Hamlin | 27.80 |
| Austin Dillon | 26.85 |
|
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
|
25.75 |
| Chase Elliott | 24.45 |
| Erik Jones | 21.60 |
| 19.25 | |
| Zane Smith | 18.50 |
| Harrison Burton | 17.85 |
| William Byron | 16.90 |
| Ross Chastain | 16.15 |
| Tyler Reddick | 15.45 |
| Kyle Larson | 14.45 |
| Chris Buescher | 12.15 |
| Brad Keselowski | 9.15 |
| Bubba Wallace | 8.60 |
Group B
| Driver Name | Score |
|
Shane Van Gisbergen
|
33.60 |
| Daniel Suarez | 31.80 |
| Ryan Preece | 30.45 |
| Denny Hamlin | 27.80 |
| Austin Dillon | 26.85 |
|
Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
|
25.75 |
| Chase Elliott | 24.45 |
| Erik Jones | 21.60 |
|
John Hunter Nemechek
|
19.25 |
| Zane Smith | 18.50 |
| Harrison Burton | 17.85 |
| William Byron | 16.90 |
| Ross Chastain | 16.15 |
| Tyler Reddick | 15.45 |
| Kyle Larson | 14.45 |
| Chris Buescher | 12.15 |
| Brad Keselowski | 9.15 |
| Bubba Wallace | 8.60 |
Group B
| Driver Name | Score |
| Timmy Hill | 42.05 |
| Corey LaJoie | 32.85 |
| Noah Gragson | 30.95 |
| Kaz Grala | 30.00 |
| Justin Haley | 27.70 |
| 25.85 | |
| Josh Berry | 24.80 |
| Joey Logano | 22.85 |
| Todd Gilliland | 21.10 |
| Austin Cindric | 18.85 |
| Ryan Blaney | 18.45 |
| Martin Truex, Jr. | 16.95 |
| Daniel Hemric | 16.70 |
| Alex Bowman | 15.65 |
| Chase Briscoe | 15.25 |
| Carson Hocevar | 12.45 |
| Kyle Busch | 9.60 |
| Christopher Bell | 9.15 |
| Ty Gibbs | 6.60 |
News in Brief: 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 Qualifying Order
The qualifying order for the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway presents a dynamic competition, highlighted by Shane van Gisbergen‘s leading performance in Group A and Timmy Hill’s strong presence in Group B.
The involvement of prominent drivers such as Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, and Martin Truex Jr. further intensifies the anticipation surrounding the event.
This qualifying session establishes a competitive foundation for an exhilarating race on September 1, promising thrilling moments for fans and participants alike.
ALSO READ: 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 Entry List: The Drivers to Watch at Darlington Raceway
