Erik Jones wins opening NASCAR Cup Series playoff race in Darlington

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Erik Jones took the lead when Kyle Busch's engine blew up, then pulled away from Denny Hamlin after a final restart 20 laps from the end to win the opening NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Darlington Raceway on Sunday night.

Hamlin, seeded sixth in the playoffs, closed in on Jones’ back bumper on the final lap, but couldn’t make the winning pass. Jones went on to his second career win at Darlington and third NASCAR victory.

It was also the 200th win by the iconic No. 43 car, with most tied to Hall of Famer Richard Petty.

"He said if I won, I was going to get a (cowboy) hat," Jones laughed.

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Erik Jones, driver of the #43 FOCUSfactor Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 04, 2022, in Darlington, South Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Jones became the first non-playoff driver to win the opener in NASCAR's 10-race run to a title. And he did it as many of the top seeds had breakdowns and wrecks.

Along with Busch's blow up, No. 9 seed Kevin Harvick saw his car catch fire in a scary seen. Harvick scrambled away from his stopped car to safety.

Top-seeded Chase Elliott was gone during the first stage, sliding into the wall, hitting Chase Briscoe as he tore up his suspension and was out of the race.

Kyle Larson, the defending series champion, was three laps down in the opening stage after engine problems. Larson finished 12th.

Hamlin was second followed by three more playoff chasers in Tyler Reddick, Joey Logano and Christopher Bell. Michael McDowell was sixth,