Cup Series
This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the legendary Darlington Raceway for the Goodyear 400 on Sunday (3:00 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SiriusXM). But this race is more than just another event on the schedule – it’s the annual Throwback Weekend celebration at one of the sport’s most iconic venues.

Darlington Raceway, known as the “Lady in Black” and “The Track Too Tough to Tame,” has been challenging NASCAR’s best since 1950. The 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval has hosted 125 Cup races, producing 54 different winners. Its unique configuration and traditions like the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend have cemented Darlington’s place in NASCAR lore.

To honor the track’s rich history, many teams will adorn their cars with special throwback paint schemes this weekend. Fans can check out the full gallery of these retro designs here. The nostalgic looks add an extra element of excitement to an already highly-anticipated race.

On the track, all eyes will be on Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. The veteran has absolutely dominated at Darlington in recent years, winning four of the last seven races. His Loop Data statistics are equally impressive – he leads all active drivers in wins, top 5s, top 10s, laps led, and more at the “Lady in Black.” A fifth Darlington victory would only add to Hamlin’s legend at this unforgiving track.

But Hamlin will face stiff competition from other former Darlington winners like William Byron, Kyle Larson, Erik Jones, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Joey Logano. Several of those drivers, including Jones, Truex, Keselowski, Busch, and Logano, are still seeking their first win of 2024 and would love to breakthrough at Darlington.

With limited practice and qualifying ahead of Sunday’s 400-mile race, putting together a clean, mistake-free race will be crucial. Starting position has also been key historically, as 83% of Darlington races have been won from a top-10 starting spot.

The on-track action kicks off on Friday with practice and qualifying. But the real show will be Sunday’s Goodyear 400, as NASCAR’s best entertainers put on a throwback show for the ages at one of the most revered tracks in all of motorsports.
My Pick: Kyle Busch

Xfinity Series
After a weekend off, the NASCAR Xfinity Series returns to action at one of its most challenging and iconic venues – Darlington Raceway. The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200 on Saturday (1:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SirusXM) will see the Series’ stars take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” and its famous egg-shaped oval.

Darlington has hosted 67 previous Xfinity races dating back to 1982, producing 36 different winners. Getting a good starting spot is critical, as 15 of those victories have come from the pole position. The qualifying record of 176.994 mph was set by Carl Edwards in 2008.

Several drivers in the field have already tamed the “Lady in Black” and will look to add another Darlington triumph. JR Motorsports teammates Justin Allgaier and Brandon Jones along with Stewart-Haas Racing’s Cole Custer have all won at the treacherous 1.366-mile track.

Allgaier has been particularly strong, capturing victories in 2021 and 2022 to go along with seven top-5 and 13 top-10 finishes in 17 starts. Jones took the checkered flag in 2020 after passing Ross Chastain late. And in his five Darlington races, Custer has one win (2019) and four top-5 results.

The on-track action kicks off Friday with practice at 5:05 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 5:35 p.m. ET on FS1 to set the starting lineup.

Heading into Darlington, Chandler Smith holds a narrow 1-point lead over Cole Custer atop the Xfinity Series standings. While Custer is still seeking his first win of 2024, Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, Sam Mayer and Jesse Love have already punched their Playoff tickets with victories.

Other championship contenders like Justin Allgaier, Riley Herbst, AJ Allmendinger and Sheldon Creed are still looking to breakthrough in the win column as the series nears the halfway point of the regular season.

With its difficulty and decades of lore, a win at Darlington means more than just another trophy. The drivers will have to conquer “The Track Too Tough to Tame” by surviving 147 grueling laps around the abrasive egg-shaped oval. Whichever driver can tame the “Lady in Black” will etch their name in NASCAR history.
My Pick: Sheldon Creed

Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series rolls into the historic Darlington Raceway this Friday for the Buckle Up South Carolina 200 (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, MRN, SirusXM), jumpstarting the annual NASCAR Throwback Weekend celebration. It has hosted 11 previous Truck races dating back to 2001.

While the “Lady in Black” has proved challenging for many drivers over the years, a few have been able to tame her. Former winners Christian Eckes (2023) and Ben Rhodes (2020) lead the charge of drivers looking to conquer Darlington again.

Eckes has been on a roll in 2024, with two wins and six top-10 finishes through eight races. The 23-year-old is the most recent Darlington winner after taking the checkered flag last year. Rhodes is the defending Truck Series champion but has struggled early, though his 2020 Darlington triumph proves he can get it done at this grueling track.

Veterans Matt Crafton and Corey Heim have also found some success battling the “Lady in Black.” Crafton is the only driver to make all 11 Truck starts at Darlington, earning three top-5s and seven top-10s. Heim took the pole here last year and has a top-10 result, showing he’s ready to contend for his first win at the egg-shaped oval.

The on-track action kicks off Friday with practice at 3:05 p.m. ET followed by qualifying for the Cometic Gasket Pole Award at 3:35 p.m. ET, both airing on FS1.

This weekend also features a couple Cup Series drivers pulling double duty. Kyle Busch, the all-time Truck wins leader, makes his first Darlington start in the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet. Ross Chastain pilots the No. 45 Niece Motorsports entry as he aims to improve on his 13th-place Darlington result from last year.

The CRAFTSMAN Trucks always put on a show at Darlington’s unique egg-shaped oval. This throwback race under the lights will surely produce another classic chapter in the track’s storied history. Whichever drivers can survive 147 grueling laps and tame the “Lady in Black” will secure a monumental victory to start NASCAR’s biggest weekend.
My Pick: Kyle Busch