2017 Bojangles' Southern 500

The 2017 Bojangles' Southern 500, the 68th running of the event, was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on September 3, 2017 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Contested over 367 laps on the 1.366 mi egg-shaped oval, it was the 25th race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

Background


Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed "The Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition." It is of a unique, somewhat egg-shaped design, an oval with the ends of very different configurations, a condition which supposedly arose from the proximity of one end of the track to a minnow pond the owner refused to relocate. This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that is effective at both ends.

First practice
Kyle Larson was the fastest in the first practice session with a time of 28.415 seconds and a speed of 173.064 mph.

Final practice
Kyle Busch was the fastest in the final practice session with a time of 28.373 seconds and a speed of 173.320 mph.

Qualifying


Kevin Harvick scored the pole for the race with a time of 27.669 and a speed of 177.730 mph.

Stage results
Stage 1 Laps: 100

Stage 2 Laps: 100

Final stage results
Stage 3 Laps: 167

† Denny Hamlin was penalized 25 points and the win is encumbered due to a rear suspension infraction post-race.

Race statistics

 * Lead changes: 8 among different drivers
 * Cautions/Laps: 8 for 38
 * Red flags: 0
 * Time of race: 3 hours, 46 minutes and 34 seconds
 * Average speed: 132.761 mph

Television
NBC Sports covered the race on the television side. Rick Allen, two–time Darlington winner Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte had the call in the booth for the race. As part of the throwback weekend, Ken Squier, Ned Jarrett and Dale Jarrett also called a portion of the race. Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast reported from pit lane during the race.

Radio
The Motor Racing Network had the radio call for the race, which was simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. Dave Moody called the race from a billboard outside of turn when the field raced through turns 1 and 2, and Mike Bagley had the call of the race atop of the Darlington Raceway Club outside of turn 3 when the field raced through turns 3 and 4.

Standings after the race

 * Drivers' Championship standings


 * Manufacturers' Championship standings
 * Note: Only the first 16 positions are included for the driver standings.
 * . – Driver has clinched a position in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.