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18h ago

Hamlin Takes Southern 500 Pole as NASCAR Playoffs Open at Darlington

He enters the Round of 16 with four wins plus a points buffer, calling the postseason "another chance to roll the dice."

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs driver line-up.
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com
Photo by John Knittel for SpeedwayMedia.com
Aug 27, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Denny Hamlin answers questions from the media during NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Media Day at Charlotte Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images/File Photo

Overview

  • Denny Hamlin topped Darlington qualifying at 171.381 mph in 28.694 seconds, edging Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Chase Briscoe by 0.021 seconds to form a JGR front row.
  • Playoff drivers locked out the top 10 starters, with Josh Berry third, Tyler Reddick fourth and Kyle Larson fifth, as William Byron qualified 11th and Ryan Blaney 12th.
  • The 10-race playoffs start Sunday at 6 p.m. ET with 16 drivers vying to reach the Nov. 2 finale at Phoenix after three elimination rounds.
  • Hamlin leads active drivers with four wins this season, holds a +23 points cushion entering the postseason, owns five Darlington victories and makes his 19th playoff appearance.
  • Balancing driving with 23XI co-ownership, Hamlin said the ongoing antitrust case set for a December trial will not distract his title push, as JGR projects multi-car strength led by Briscoe’s heightened expectations.