The Southern 500. The NASCAR Playoffs. Two pillars of the NASCAR schedule, coming together for the first time to kick off a 10-race stretch destined for drama, intensity and, eventually, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion. NASCAR.com has you covered for this premier event from every conceivable angle. Read our full coverage below to get ready for Sunday's Cook Out Southern 500 (6 p.m. ET on NBCSN/NBC Sports App, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR) and stay tuned to this page throughout the playoffs to catch up and see what's to come. RELATED: Darlington starting lineup | Ways to follow | Weekend schedule

Southern 500 Outlook, Race Analysis

And starting up front...: Chase Elliott nabs Busch Pole Award for Darlington | 📖: Read more Best or worst: Darlington preview: Who has the best or worst outlook? | 📊:  See the ranks Time machine: Darlington Throwback: See NASCAR drivers (and more) as kids | 👶 : See the photos Old schemes, new goals: Preview Show: Old-school schemes meet new goals at Darlington | 🎥: Watch the video Crown-jewel kings: Active drivers with crown-jewel victories | 💎:  See the list Backseat Drivers: Jimmie Johnson misses the playoffs and Darlington looms | 🗣: What they're saying Denny Yarborough?: @nascarcasm: Darlington throwback driver mash-ups | ❌: See the monstrosities 

Race-Week Staples

Paint Scheme Preview: See the throwback looks for this weekend's races | 🎨: See the schemes Power Rankings: Does Chase Elliott line up as a Championship 4 favorite?  | 📈: See the ranks Fantasy Fastlane: Breaking down the plays to make in Fantasy Live for Sunday | 📖: Read more Well that's odd: NASCAR betting: Odds, lines for Darlington Southern 500 | 💰: See the list Get caught up: Darlington TV times, key statistics, revised procedures and more | 🔢: Get the 101 Just the pits: Darlington NASCAR Cup Series pit-stall assignments for Sunday’s race | 🚗: See pit road Finish Line: Move Clint Bowyer to a favorite? | 🤔: Hear from the experts

Playoff Picture

Get your team ready: How the 2020 Fantasy Live game works for the playoffs | ⭐️:  Fantasy info Who said what now?: What drivers are saying about the playoffs | 📖 : Read more Respect over rivalry: Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick aim to carry heavyweight bout into playoffs | 🤝: Read more Strengths and weaknesses: Meet the 2020 NASCAR Playoffs field | 🏃‍♂️: Get the rundown Who's in, who's out: 2020 NASCAR Playoffs field set | ✂️: See who made the cut Track-by-track: 2020 NASCAR Playoffs track-by-track breakdown | 📝: See the list Finding Smoke's fire?: Kyle Busch primed for a Tony Stewart-style resurgence in 2020 playoffs | 🔥: Read more Who's going to win it all?: 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship odds | 📝: See the list Turn up the heat: NASCAR Cup Series drivers who turned it up in the playoffs | 🧯: See the list The champ is here: Kevin Harvick presented Regular Season Championship trophy at Daytona | 📖: Read more Picking the winners: Predicting every 2020 NASCAR Cup Series playoff race winner | 🏁: See our picks Catch 'em napping?: Aric Almirola OK with sleeper label, aims to maximize playoff potential | 💤:  Read more Been here before: NASCAR Cup Series drivers with playoff appearances in elimination era | 😒: See the list Classic Kes: Brad Keselowski on playoff motivation: 'I don't like to suck' | 🤬: Watch the video Remember when: Most memorable NASCAR Playoffs moments | 🏆: See the moments Let the dogs out?: Cole Custer, Austin Dillon ready to keep playoffs interesting as underdogs | 🐶: Read more