Chase Briscoe won the Southern 500 at Darlington for the second consecutive year, dominating the race.
He swept the stages, leading 309 of 367 laps and holding off Tyler Reddick to tame one of the sport's toughest races.
What happened at Darlington?
Chase Briscoe's victory in the playoff-opening race locks him into the Round of 12.
It marks his second victory in a row at Darlington, becoming the first driver to record consecutive Southern 500 wins since Greg Biffle won back-to-back 20 years ago.
He led more than 200 laps, a career-best, in the race.
Why it matters for Chase Briscoe
Briscoe's win is a testament to his skill and the dynamic between him and his crew chief, James Small.
Joe Gibbs, Briscoe's Super Bowl champion owner, praised the chemistry between Briscoe and Small.
Briscoe's victory came with him feeling like he's "still auditioning to prove that I belong here".
What comes next for Chase Briscoe?
The win sets Briscoe up well for the rest of the playoffs, with him now locked into the Round of 12.
He will look to continue his strong form and make a deep run in the playoffs.
Briscoe's next race will be a crucial one, as he looks to build on his momentum.
The Southern 500 win was a historic night for Toyota, with the top-four sweep of Toyota drivers being the manufacturer's third in Cup history and first since 2017.
Tyler Reddick finished second, Erik Jones third, John Hunter Nemechek fourth and AJ Allmendinger fifth.
Chase Briscoe's win at Darlington came on September 1, 2025, with him leading 309 laps.