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2026 Darlington Raceway Southern 500 Media Credential Application

Request Details

We look forward to welcoming you to cover the 2026 Cook Out Southern 500 Weekend of NASCAR at Darlington Raceway, September. 5-6. To request credentials, applications must be submitted by the editor, sports editor, producer or appropriate assigning authority at the outlet. If there are multiple staff covering for the same outlet, please make every effort to submit only one application per news organization by consolidating the credential requests of your sports, news and photography departments. Individual writers, photographers and bloggers may submit a request, however, NASCAR Communications will make all decisions regarding approvals, outlets, number of credentials, and access. If you have any questions regarding this application, please email Jake Derene with NASCAR Communications at jderene@nascar.com. If you need to submit more than five (5) individuals for credential requests, please reach out to Jake Derene at jderene@nascar.com in advance of submission.

Attention: College and University Outlets
 
For all NASCAR races at which a college or university outlet (newspaper, TV station, radio station, etc.) wishes to credential reporters or photographers, an advisor or professor who oversees the program must reach out to Madison Faulkner (mfaulkner@nascar.com) to join the NASCAR College Program prior to submitting a credential request.
 
Through the NASCAR College Program, students will have the opportunity to cover a NASCAR race weekend from the perspective of a media member (print, broadcast, or digital). They will have the same access and responsibilities as a media member, and will be held to the same at-track etiquette and standards. NASCAR will provide guidance on media etiquette, as well as tips for media coverage of a motorsports event.
 
    • Students should not apply for credentials through the track credential applications. All credential applications must be submitted by the professor or advisor.
    • Applications/requests are due to Madison THREE weeks prior to the event weekend, which is one week prior to the credential deadline for each track.
    • Due to the rising popularity of credential requests from college programs in recent years, outlets may be limited in the number of credential requests that will be approved for each event.


Credential Deadline: Friday, August 21, 2026
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