(Darlington, SC)  --  The road to the championship begins for the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday.  The Cook Out Southern 500 will take place from Darlington as the 16 drivers in the playoffs work their way toward the next round.  Ryan Blaney is on the pole for the race while Denny starts in second.  Kurt Busch will start third while Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman round out the top five in the starting grid.