Each week, the Props crew takes a look at the upcoming NASCAR slate from a props perspective. Further below, you’ll also find some key NASCAR DFS and betting advice that may help you become a sharper NASCAR player.
Which drivers should we be targeting with our NASCAR picks each week, and why? Find out below.
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Hunting for top Cook Out Southern 500 prop bets? Our Props team has locked in their favorite NASCAR prop picks for Sunday’s race.
Let’s break down the best value plays on the board ahead of race day at Darlington Raceway
What It Takes to Win at Darlington Raceway
Winning the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway demands a rare combination of precision, patience, and unrelenting focus on one of NASCAR’s most challenging circuits.
Darlington’s unique 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval, with its 25° banking in Turns 1 and 2 and 23° in Turns 3 and 4, creates a high-speed yet asymmetric layout that forces drivers and teams to compromise sacrifices between faster halves of the track.
The narrow, abrasive asphalt and the track’s tendency to punish even minor mistakes are why it’s nicknamed the “Track Too Tough to Tame,”one that rewards those who drive with surgical precision while managing tire wear and avoiding contact with the unforgiving walls.
To win at Darlington, drivers must consistently hit their braking points and throttle markers perfectly across both distinct corners, anticipating how the car will change over long green-flag runs. Pit strategy and timing of restarts are critical, as clean air offers significant advantage, and mistakes in traffic or under pressure often lead to chaos.
The race’s jewel status and role in the playoffs add mental demands, making composure under pressure a must. Victory at the Southern 500 is a testament to flawless execution, combining driver skill, setup adaptability, strategic acuity, and mental grit over nearly four hours of high-stakes racing.
Who Won the Cook Out Southern 500 Last Year?
Chase Briscoe triumphed in the 2024 Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1. Briscoe held off Kyle Busch, who claimed second place, and Christopher Bell, who finished third.
Kyle Larson crossed the line in fourth, while Ross Chastain secured fifth in a dramatic and hard-fought final Crown Jewel race of the regular season.
Who Won Last Week’s Race?
Ryan Blaney clinched the win in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, staging a stunning charge from 13th to first during the final two laps in a four-wide sprint to the finish.
Daniel Suárez crossed the line second, while Justin Haley grabbed third. Cole Custer and Erik Jones rounded out the top five in a chaotic, high-stakes superspeedway showdown that delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
Larson leads the Driver’s Standings with 2032 points, William Byron has 2032 points and Denny Hamlin has 2029.
Blaney is a +900 favorite to win the Cook Out Southern 500 this year. Logano is at +1000 and Brad Keselowski is at +1200.
Kyle Larson Top 3 Finish
Larson’s ability to adapt to difficult track conditions and his unmatched car control make him a natural contender for a Top 3 finish at the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
The “Track Too Tough to Tame” demands precision through its asymmetrical corners and punishes mistakes with its abrasive surface and tight walls, areas where Larson’s background in dirt racing and open-wheel competition gives him an advantage.
He has a knack for running multiple grooves and carrying speed off the corners, which allows him to find clean air and keep momentum even as the track changes.
His aggressiveness, balanced with technical precision, is exactly what Darlington requires over the course of its grueling 500-mile distance.
In addition to his raw skill, Larson’s Hendrick Motorsports team consistently brings him competitive setups that handle well over long green-flag stretches, a critical factor at Darlington where tire management and rhythm are key.
Larson also thrives in high-pressure moments, particularly on late restarts, and has shown the ability to adjust his approach to maximize track position without overdriving.
With his proven ability to tame tough tracks, a history of running well at Darlington, and a team capable of giving him the right tools, Larson has all the qualities needed to deliver another Top 3 performance in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious and demanding races.
Pick: Kyle Larson Top 3 Finish | FanDuel
