The Cook Out Southern 500 kicked off the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs on August 31, and it was a race that shook up the standings right from the start. Chase Briscoe repeated his last year’s win by leading 309 of 367 laps, a commanding performance that recalls the track’s storied history, where Johnny Mantz set the record for most laps led in a single Cup race there, guiding his car for 351 laps in the inaugural 1950 event. But as drivers navigated the “Lady in Black’s” unforgiving turns, several playoff hopefuls faced setbacks that tightened the battle for advancement. And now, with the points reset amplifying every position, the garage turned to trusted voices for insight on who might falter next.

Dale Earnhardt Jr., a Hall of Famer whose takes carry real influence in NASCAR circle

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