NASCAR Playoffs Bracket 2026 Point Standings After Darlington Round of 16 Results

Christopher Bell used a late pass of Kyle Larson to claim the Southern 500 and his first win of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

Bell benefited from the better pit strategy after a brief rain delay and passed Larson with 11 laps remaining in one of NASCAR's crown jewel races.

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The victory allowed Bell to surge up the playoff point standings. He is now within 12 points of points leader Denny Hamlin.

Bell's win awarded him the most points on the night and a giant sense of relief after seven second-place finishes this season.

Bell placed in the top five on 11 occasions prior to Sunday night's victory.

The driver of the No. 20 car won the race with 11 laps to go with his pass of Kyle Larson.

Larson and a few others opted not to pit under the final caution. That risk didn't pay off, as Bell and his fresh tires took over the lead.

Bell's Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs also benefited from the fresh tires to finish the race in second place.

Larson tumbled all the way back to fifth place. Tyler Reddick claimed third and Ryan Blaney took fourth.

Bell pushed himself all the way up to second place in the points standings with the win. He is 12 points back of Denny Hamlin. The top four drivers in the standings are within 24 points of each other.

The Chase for the Cup Series title continues next Sunday at Worldwide Technology Raceway.

The driver with the most points after the 10th playoff race will be named the 2026 Cup Series champion.