2017 Bojangles' Southern 500

The 2017 Bojangles' Southern 500, the 68th running of the event, is 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 is 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.

Start
Kevin Harvick led the field to the green flag at 6:15 p.m., He led a total of 18 laps, The first caution of the race flew for a two-car wreck in turn 1, Trevor Bayne slammed into the outside wall in turn 3 after experiencing a tire problem, He made slight contact with A. J. Allmendinger’s car after bouncing off the wall.

The race restarted on lap 22 and it remained green for 20 laps, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. lost control of his car in turn 4 on lap 42 and slapped the outside wall twice, causing the second caution flag.

The race restarted on lap 46.

Martin Truex Jr., who has proven himself to be a master of stage racing, came from behind to edge Kyle Larson to win the first stage by about half a car-length. It was the 16th seasonal stage win for Truex. Following Truex and Larson at the end of the stage were Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Erik Jones, Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon. The third caution of the race flew on lap 102 for conclusion of the first stage, Kyle Larson took the lead on the following lap.

Stage 2
The race restarted on lap 107 and it remained green for 18 laps.

The fourth caution of the race flew on lap 126 when Daniel Suárez battered his car in a meeting with the turn 1 wall.

The race restarted on lap 131 and it remained green for 26 laps, The fifth caution of the race flew when Cody Ware and A. J. Allmendinger crashed in turn 2 on lap 155.

The race restarted on lap 161.

Martin Truex Jr. won the race’s second stage under caution and clinched the regular-season championship and its 15-point bonus. The sixth caution was caused by Gray Gaulding’s spin on lap 197. Rounding out the top 10 were Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Kurt Busch, Jamie McMurray, Austin Dillon and Matt Kenseth.

Final stage
The race restarted on lap 205.

The seventh caution of the race flew on lap 208 when David Ragan spun out in turn 1, He went on to finish 25th.

The race restarted on lap 211 and it remained green for 51 laps.

Debris on the track brought out the eighth caution of the race, on lap 262.

The race restarted on lap 266, Denny Hamlin drove on to score the victory.

Post race
"We drove our ass off. That's as hard as I can drive," Hamlin said. "I can't say enough about this track. I love this racetrack. This is the second one. This one's sweeter."

Truex, who clinched the regular-season title but clearly was disappointed at missing out on back-to-back wins in the Southern 500, said: “Sometimes it’s just not your night. Tonight wasn’t our night.”

Stage results
Stage 1 Laps: 100

Stage 2 Laps: 100

Final stage results
Laps: 167

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.