Bell passes defending NASCAR champion Larson to win the Southern 500 to start the Chase - Now Georgia

Christopher Bell ended a winless drought of 33 races since Bristol last September by winning the Southern 500 on Sunday night at Darlington Raceway and starting the NASCAR Chase. Bell passed defending champion Kyle Larson with 18 laps remaining and held on to take the Chase opener, his first Darlington victory in 15 Cup starts. The win moved Bell to second in the Chase standings behind teammate Denny Hamlin. Joe Gibbs Racing dominated the top results, with Hamlin second and Tyler Reddick third, while nine of the top 10 were Chase drivers. Larson’s strategy during the sixth and final caution—staying out while others pitted—gave him a restart advantage, but Bell quickly cleared him. Hamlin suffered when hit from behind by Michael McDowell on lap 237, damaging his car and dropping him to 20th.