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Cook Out Southern 500
Darlington, South Carolina - September 5, 2026

Austin Cindric, driver, No. 2 Discount Tire Ford Mustang Dark Horse - 6th

Joey Logano, driver, No. 22 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Ford Mustang Dark Horse - 13th

Ryan Blaney, driver, No. 12 Menards/Richmond Ford Mustang Dark Horse - 24th

CHAMPIONSHIP PURSUIT: Team Penske arrived at Darlington Raceway Saturday to open the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series postseason, with Ryan Blaney, Austin Cindric and Joey Logano set to begin their pursuit of the championship in Sunday night's Southern 500. Saturday's on-track activity was ultimately canceled due to weather, leaving the starting lineup to be set per the NASCAR Rulebook.

The crown-jewel event marks the first stop in the 10-race Chase for the Championship, which will take teams from Darlington to the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 8. Team Penske enters the postseason carrying its strongest momentum of the season, having won four of the last seven races while placing at least one car inside the top 10 in 17 consecutive events.

Darlington also has a place in Team Penske's NASCAR history, with the organization owning four Cup Series victories at the 1.366-mile South Carolina oval. Sunday's Southern 500 provides the opportunity to add another while beginning the organization's pursuit of a sixth Cup Series championship.

UP NEXT: Sunday's 367-lap event is scheduled to get underway at 5 p.m. ET, airing live on USA, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.