Written By: Matt Marr
Photo by: Sean Rayford
Joey Logano led the start of race 1 in the NASCAR Cup series playoffs along with Christopher Bell on the front row.
Daniel Suarez made a pass through penalty at the start of the race as per NASCAR rules for failing pre race inspection 3 times.
William Byron took the lead over from Logano on lap 66.
Chase Elliott and Chase Briscoe involved in a hard wreck with 2 laps to go in stage 1 which brought out the caution as Byron was declared the stage winner.
Kyle Busch and teammate Denny Hamlin lead the start of stage 2 as Elliott official exits the race due to the damage vehicle policy timed repair ran out.
Busch would dominate stage 2 and take the stage victory.
Busch and Logano brought the field to green to start the final stage.
Caution out for Kevin Harvick as his car bursts into flames on lap 45.
31 laps to go, caution out for Cody Ware, while under the yellow Kyle Busch suffers an engine failure, ending what could have been a round of 12 win entry.
Erik Jones, after restarting in the lead with 20 laps remaining, fended off Denny Hamlin to earn his first win of the year at the Cook Out Southern 500.
Erik's win at Darlington also marked the 200th career win for Richard Petty as an owner.
Cook Out Southern 500 top 5: 1. Erik Jones
2. Denny Hamlin
3. Tyler Reddick
4. Joey Logano
5. Christopher Bell