Briscoe wins at Darlington as Van Gisbergen struggles to 32nd in brutal playoff opener

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs roared to life at Darlington Raceway with the gruelling 367-lap Southern 500, and while Chase Briscoe etched his name into history with a dominant victory. Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen endured one of his toughest nights of the season, finishing 32nd after battling persistent handling problems and a strategy gamble …