Denny Hamlin starts the playoffs

In a stifling final lap, Kyle Larson tried everything to pass the Toyota Camry #11 which had managed to resist him during the last two restarts. A kamikaze attack in the last corner almost ruined the race for both drivers, but Hamlin was able to resist like an old hand despite a final heavy contact and victoriously cross the finish line with a small tenths lead over the Chevrolet Camaro # 5. 

DRAMA ON THE FINAL LAP! @dennyhamlin holds off @KyleLarsonRacin to win! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/PyNyx6GyeP

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) September 6, 2021

The two men dominated this race head and shoulders, with Larson leading 156 of the race's 367 laps while Hamlin covered 146 in the lead. Hamlin also won the first segment while Larson won the second. The complicity displayed by the two champions at the finish was a beautiful illustration of the pleasure taken during this race.

Kyle Larson congratulates Denny Hamlin after winning the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Ross Chastain, not qualified for the final stages, finished in a good third place. Martin Truex Jr. was in the right car, even getting the better of Hamlin during the race, but a penalty for excessive speed in the pits ruined his hopes. He can nevertheless console himself with a good 4th place. The big loser of this inaugural round of the playoffs is double champion Kyle Busch, victim of a collision with Austin Dillon's Chevrolet on the 125th lap.

Looking forward to the next race for Kyle Busch © Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Larson's second place was little consolation for Hendrick Motorsports, which lost its three other drivers. Alex Bowman hit the wall on lap 14 but managed to get back on track. That was without counting on the explosion of a tire a few meters later which sent him into William Byron's sister car. The latter managed to get back into the top 10 but his race ended in the wall on the 200th lap following the failure of his front left tire. Chase Elliott for his part will be the victim of a collision with Bubba Wallace and Christopher on lap 327. A lot of bodywork, and certainly a little self-esteem, injured for these three candidates for the title...

Cook Out Southern 500 standings:

Denny Hamlin is therefore the first to qualify for the second Round. A week will not be too long before the next round in Richmond to calm the spirits heated by this particularly wild race.