Joe Gibbs Racing, a dominant force in NASCAR, brings a rich history of success to Darlington Raceway as they prepare for the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500. Known for their tenacity at the “Track Too Tough to Tame,” JGR has secured 11 NASCAR Cup Series wins at Darlington, including a recent triumph by Denny Hamlin in April. Their impressive statistics highlight 136 combined starts yielding 41 top-five finishes, 76 top-10s, four pole awards, and leading an impressive 3,027 laps.
Many prominent drivers such as Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Erik Jones, Matt Kenseth, Bobby Labonte, Martin Truex Jr., and Denny Hamlin have contributed to JGR’s legacy by securing victories at this challenging track. The team’s consistent performance here demonstrates their expert preparation and skill in handling Darlington’s unique racing demands.
Denny Hamlin’s Dominance at Darlington and Playoff Prospects
Denny Hamlin stands out as one of the most successful drivers at Darlington Raceway among active competitors. Leading with five wins, 14 top-five finishes, and 19 top-10 placements, his average finishing position of 7.9 is the best for drivers with more than two starts at the track. Hamlin’s recent victory in the Cup Series race at Darlington followed a swift pit stop and a strategic overtime restart where he maintained the lead to claim his second win of the 2025 season. His record also includes six NASCAR Xfinity Series victories at Darlington, reinforcing his expertise on the circuit.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, the Round of 16 presents favorable conditions for Hamlin and the No. 11 team. Besides his own success at Darlington Raceway, Hamlin’s strong performance at venues like World Wide Technology Raceway, where he secured back-to-back second-place finishes, strengthens his chances. Additionally, at Bristol Motor Speedway, Hamlin boasts four wins, three top-five finishes, and consistently high placements in recent races on the .533-mile oval.
Marking his 19th playoff appearance in 2025, Hamlin has showcased remarkable consistency and resilience throughout his career. Except for 2013, when a back injury limited his participation, he has qualified for the post-season every year. Hamlin has placed within the top five in overall points nine times and reached the championship contenders’ Round of 8 nine times since 2014, making him a veteran driver to watch during the playoff rounds.
During the regular season, Hamlin secured sixth place in the driver standings, tying for the series lead with four wins and 11 top-five finishes. His leadership in laps led and frequent top-10 results underscore his competitive edge this season. Additionally, Hamlin excelled in earning the Xfinity Fastest Lap bonuses, claiming six throughout the year.
Crew Chief Chris Gayle’s Impact in Darlington Success
Chris Gayle, the crew chief for Hamlin’s No. 11 team, brings significant experience and success to Darlington Raceway. A two-time winning crew chief at Darlington, Gayle masterminded Erik Jones’s 2019 Southern 500 victory and recently managed Hamlin’s April win at the same track. Over ten starts working with Hamlin at Darlington, Gayle’s leadership has produced five top-five and seven top-10 finishes.
Sport Clips Partnership and Support for Veterans
This weekend, Sport Clips will serve as the primary sponsor of Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota Camry XSE at Darlington Raceway. Headquartered in Georgetown, Texas, this sports-themed haircutting franchise has been a long-term supporter of Joe Gibbs Racing since 2009 and operates more than 1,800 stores across the United States and Canada.
Sport Clips is also proud of its affiliation with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) through the Help A Hero scholarship program, established in 2013. This initiative has awarded over 3,350 scholarships totaling more than $15.3 million, supporting active-duty service members and veterans pursuing a broad range of degrees. The program exemplifies the franchise’s commitment to giving back to those who have served, underscoring the deeper values represented by the sponsorship at Darlington Raceway.
Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship
—VFW Official
Chase Briscoe’s Defending Champion Status and Playoff Outlook
Chase Briscoe enters the Cook Out Southern 500 as the defending winner, having secured victory at Darlington last year to clinch a playoff spot. Briscoe’s success on the track includes a 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Darlington as well. While his recent race at Darlington resulted in a 28th-place finish due to handling difficulties, his prior achievements at the raceway establish him as a strong contender.
Briscoe’s playoff hopes remain high, with promising prospects at the other Round of 16 tracks. At World Wide Technology Raceway, he achieved a personal best finish of 17th last season and earned the pole position for the inaugural Cup Series race there in 2022. His consistent top-10 finishes at Bristol Motor Speedway, including a fourth-place finish earlier in 2025, add to his competitive profile.
This season, Briscoe hails from Mitchell, Indiana, and has posted career-best statistics across the board. He has tallied 10 top-five finishes—tied for third most this year—with 12 top-10 appearances and leads all drivers with six pole awards. His average starting position of 10.3 and finishing position of 13.7 rank among the best, reflecting his growing strength as a driver.
James Small’s Role as Crew Chief for Chase Briscoe
James Small, now in his sixth NASCAR Cup Series season as a crew chief, guides Briscoe and the No. 19 team. Previously, Small steered Martin Truex Jr. to considerable success, including eight wins, 46 top-five finishes, and the 2023 regular season championship. Small’s leadership brought a second-place championship finish for Truex in 2021 and continues to foster strong performances with Briscoe.
Small achieved his ninth career win coaching Briscoe at Pocono Raceway earlier this year. His experience at Darlington Raceway includes one win with Truex in 2021, alongside multiple top-five and top-10 finishes and a pole award. His steady crew chiefship provides a strategic advantage during high-stakes races like the Southern 500.
Bass Pro Shops’ Involvement and Conservation Leadership
Bass Pro Shops, the primary sponsor for Briscoe’s team, represents North America’s leading outdoor and conservation company. Under the visionary leadership of Johnny Morris, the organization is nationally recognized for habitat protection and connecting families with outdoor activities. Newsweek recently named Bass Pro Shops as
“America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear,”
reinforcing its reputation as a respected brand within NASCAR and beyond.
America’s Most Trusted Retailer for Outdoor Gear
—Newsweek
Christopher Bell’s Consistent Performance at Darlington and Playoff Potential
Christopher Bell has steadily built a strong record at Darlington Raceway over 12 NASCAR Cup Series starts. His recent back-to-back third-place finishes exemplify his capability to compete near the front consistently. Bell also boasts three top-five finishes, four top-10s, and a pole award at Darlington, alongside a pole start and victory in the 2024 Xfinity Series race at the same venue.
As the playoffs take shape, Bell’s No. 20 team looks forward to competing on tracks where they have shown significant strength. At World Wide Technology Raceway last year, Bell won both stages and led the most laps but was hampered by mechanical issues, resulting in a seventh-place finish. His performance at Bristol Motor Speedway is equally strong, with five consecutive top-10 results, setting the stage for further playoff success.
Bell has a noteworthy playoff history, advancing to the Championship 4 on three occasions, securing walk-off wins at the Charlotte Roval and Martinsville Speedway in 2022, and earning a Round of 8 victory in 2023. Despite narrowly missing the 2024 Championship 4, Bell led all drivers with six top-five finishes, eight top-10s, and an average finishing position of 7.1 in the playoffs.
Adam Stevens’ Championship–Winning Leadership for Christopher Bell
Adam Stevens, Bell’s crew chief, brings championship–winning experience with two Cup Series titles earned with Kyle Busch in 2015 and 2019. A native of Ohio, Stevens holds the record for most Championship 4 appearances among crew chiefs since the elimination format began in 2014, underscoring his strategic expertise in playoff scenarios.
Bell started the 2025 season with three consecutive wins across Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix Raceway, also capturing the coveted million-dollar prize by winning the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. His season totals include nine top-five and 14 top-10 finishes through the first 26 races, showcasing his consistency and speed.
Rheem, the sponsor for Bell’s car, will host over 60 guests during the Darlington event, including executives and customers from their Water Heater Division and local partners in the Carolinas, highlighting the brand’s strong community engagement during race weekends.
Ty Gibbs’ Emerging Talent and New Crew Chief Partnership
Ty Gibbs has shown promise at Darlington Raceway, leading 34 laps and achieving a career-best second-place finish in May 2024. Across six NASCAR Cup Series starts at the track, he has also earned a ninth-place finish earlier this season. In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Gibbs’ best Darlington outcome was sixth place in September 2022.
Most recently, Gibbs finished eighth at Daytona International Speedway after starting 18th, maintaining momentum as he progresses through his rookie Cup Series season.
Gibbs is supported by first-year crew chief Tyler Allen, who brings impressive credentials from the Xfinity Series. Allen led JGR’s No. 20 Xfinity team to eight wins and a runner-up owner’s championship in 2024. Last fall, Allen helped Christopher Bell secure victory at Darlington in the Xfinity race by winning the pole and leading 108 of 150 laps, signaling strong strategic leadership for Gibbs moving forward.
