Bell Outruns Defending Champ Larson to Win Southern 500

NASCAR's Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway saw Christopher Bell secure his first win of 2026, ending a 33-race drought with a decisive move on Kyle Larson. Bell, driving the #20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, had previously accumulated seven runner-up finishes this season.

The victory marked Bell's 14th Cup career win and his second crown-jewel triumph, following the 2024 Coca-Cola 600. He led 46 laps and made a crucial late call to pass Larson, who ultimately finished fifth despite leading 99 laps.

Ty Gibbs, another Joe Gibbs Racing driver, took second place, while Tyler Reddick secured third after winning Stage 1 from the pole position. The win vaulted Bell to second in the standings, just 12 points behind regular-season champion Denny Hamlin.