Darlington Raceway, the “Lady in Black,” is ready for its Throwback Weekend. It’s that time of year when NASCAR goes full retro, with the Cup Series racing the Goodyear 400 on April 6 and the Xfinity Series starting things off the day before. The paint schemes are pure nostalgia—Harrison Burton’s rocking a 2000 Jeff Burton throwback, Kyle Larson’s got Terry Labonte’s “Tony the Tiger” look from 2003, and Noah Gragson’s paying homage to Dale Jr.’s 1996 debut. It’s a love letter to NASCAR’s history. But this year, Darlington’s not just about the real track. There’s a digital twist that’s got everyone talking, and it’s hitting us right in the feels.

NASCAR’s been playing around with gaming for a bit now. Last summer, they teamed up with Fortnite to bring the Chicago Street Course to Rocket Racing. It was a fun little crossover—fans could race a virtual version of a real NASCAR track. Then, in October 2024, Talladega Time Warp dropped with a $10,000 tournament backed by Ally Financial. It felt like NASCAR was just testing the waters. But what’s happening now is on a whole other level. It’s a small step for NASCAR but a giant leap for fans.

Darlington and Fortnite collaborate!

We’re used to the roar of engines, the smell of fuel, and the thrill of the track, but now, NASCAR’s diving into something totally unexpected. It’s a move that’s got us asking, “What’s the game plan here?” This isn’t just racing—it’s a whole new world, and it’s a mix of excitement and confusion. It’s free to play, has NASCAR branding, and is built for fun. But it’s a big shift from tradition.

Here’s the big reveal. On April 3, 2025, NASCAR posted on X: “The Lady in Black has arrived in @Fortnite! Speed meets espionage with this @RocketRacing twist on @TooToughToTame.” Darlington’s in Fortnite now, and not just any version. We’re talking hyperspeed, optical illusions, and a sci-fi take on the “Lady in Black.”

Darlington is a legendary track. 1.366 miles of pure challenge that’s been breaking drivers since 1950. Now it’s in Fortnite, the game your nephew won’t stop playing. “Reach hyperspeed in Rocket Racing’s first black-and-white map as you spiral into the depths of NASCAR’s Darlington track,” the description says. Lasers and Espionage aren’t the Darlington we know, it’s a lot to take in.

This isn’t a one-off, either. NASCAR’s been building to this. They’ve partnered with Epic Games, the $32 billion company behind Fortnite, and it’s part of a bigger strategy. In September 2024, NASCAR joined forces with BLAST for Fortnite’s FNCS Global Championship and Rocket League’s World Championship, bringing NASCAR vibes to esports fans.

“We are excited to partner with NASCAR,” said Alexander Lewin, BLAST’s SVP for Commercial Revenue, according to Esports Insider. This collaboration represents a fusion of two dynamic and passionate fan bases—esports and motorsports. Some even called it “jaw-dropping,” with NASCAR’s speeding into new terrain, your gaming consoles and virtual playgrounds.

So why Darlington, and why now? The timing lines up with Throwback Weekend, and the virtual track dropped today. Hendrick Motorsports might be killing it at the real Darlington—12 wins since 1984- but this Fortnite version is a different beast. And that’s where the emotions come in. We may be feeling a bit of both excited and lost. Let’s see what the fans think.

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Fans wonder what’s going on with the Darlington track in the virtual world

Evan Mrozinski (@EvanMrozinski) posted on X: “NASCAR 25 better have some wild features if they’re pulling stunts like this Fortnite collab.” This fan is looking at this crazy Darlington map and wondering what’s next for NASCAR 25, the upcoming racing game we’re all waiting for. No details yet, but NBC Sports mentioned Cup teams getting “good news and bad news” before Darlington. Could this collaboration be a hint? If NASCAR’s going this bold with Fortnite, maybe NASCAR 25 will mix classic racing with some out-of-the-box ideas.

OleScoob (@OleScoob) chimed in: “Darlington repave? Laser beams? What’s next, Fortnite skins for the drivers?” Scoob’s got a point, and we can’t help but laugh. No, Darlington hasn’t been repaved. The 2025 throwback liveries are racing on the same old track. The “laser beams” are just Fortnite’s flair, not real life. But Fortnite skins for drivers? Now that’s an idea! NASCAR already has tracks like Chicago, Talladega, and Daytona in Rocket Racing. Skins could be next, and fans would love to race as 7 -time most popular driver Chase Elliott in a virtual No. 9. The confusion is real, though—it’s hard to know where NASCAR’s drawing the line between its roots and this gaming push.

Another fan, @NASCARFanatic88, replied to NASCAR’s post: “This is cool, but when are we getting NASCAR 25 info? I need to know!” We’re all dying for news on NASCAR 25, especially with this Fortnite collaboration raising the bar. The game’s been teased, but there’s no release date or details yet. This virtual Darlington drop has us hyped, but it’s also a reminder of what we’re still waiting for. Hang in there—hopefully, NASCAR spills the beans soon.

Lastly, @RaceDayDreamer said: “Laser beams at Darlington? Did I miss something, or is this just Fortnite being Fortnite?” You didn’t miss anything, @RaceDayDreamer! The lasers are all virtual, part of Fortnite’s wild take on Darlington. It’s not the real track, it’s a creative spin for Rocket Racing. Darlington’s a historic place, and seeing it with sci-fi elements is jarring. It’s Fortnite doing its thing, but it’s got us wondering what NASCAR’s aiming for with this move.

The fan reactions say it all and we’re torn. It’s exciting to see NASCAR grow, but it’s also a lot for purists to swallow. Is this about new fans or just a cash grab? The motive’s unclear, and that’s why we’re all talking. One thing’s for sure: Darlington’s still the “Lady in Black,” whether on the track or in Fortnite, and we’re along for this wild ride—cheering, questioning, and everything in between.