DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 06: (L-R) Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Richmond Water Heaters Ford, Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Roto-Rooter Chevrolet, and Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 Red Bull Chevrolet, wait backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 06, 2026 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)