Cook Out Southern 500 Picks, Odds, and Preview (Aug 31)

The finishing line is coming into sight in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025, as the playoffs get underway this weekend at Darlington Raceway. The final Crown Jewel race on the schedule is set for this Sunday, as the Cook Out Southern 500 forms the opening round of the round of 16. You can find the odds and our picks here.

Odds

Cook Out Southern 500 Recent Winners

Cook Out Southern 500: Event Information

Event Preview

All eyes will be on the start of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs this weekend, as Darlington Raceway hosts the Cook Out Southern 500. The field will compete across 501.322 miles in South Carolina, with the race distance made up by 367 laps. The opening two stages will both see 115 laps completed, before the final stage sees the remaining 137 laps completed.

Ryan Blaney brings the best form into this round after landing the recent Coke Zero Sugar 400. That success lifted the driver up to fourth in the overall standings, and means that he has now won twice during the campaign. The result also means that he has finished in the top three in each of the last two races.

Kyle Larson was arguably the biggest winner of the weekend, as the former champion moved to the top of the Drivers’ Championship. Larson finished sixth in last weekend’s race, taking that finishing position for the second weekend running.

William Byron dropped to second in the overall standings after finishing outside of the top ten for the second straight week. However, the biggest pressure will likely be on Chase Elliott this weekend, as the driver dropped to seventh in the standings after only finishing tenth.

Cook Out Southern 500 Picks

A thrilling opening race to start the playoffs is set for this weekend, but we like the chances of Christopher Bell. The American has been a regular winner on the schedule this year, and confidence levels will be high following his strong finishing position last weekend.