NASCAR Darlington Schedule: Practice, Qualifying, Line-Up, Tickets & Where to Watch

This weekend, all the NASCAR action is going down at Darlington Raceway, affectionately known as “The Track Too Tough to Tame.” It has been hosting Cup Series races here every year since 1950 when Johnny Mantz snagged the first Southern 500 on Labor Day. Fast forward 74 years, and the throwback weekend is still one of the highlights of NASCAR season. Once again, the cars hitting the track will be decked out in retro styles that’ll throw you right back in time.

This year’s throwback theme is all about grassroots racing. Planning to catch the action live? Whether you’re aiming for a spot at the track or just planning to kick back in front of the TV, you’ll want to know when everything’s happening. Check out the schedule below to make sure you’re in the loop!

Everything you need to know about the Darlington Raceway races this weekend

This weekend, Darlington Raceway is hosting the 13th race of the Cup Series season, but the fun kicks off on Friday itself with the trucks. The Buckle Up South Carolina 200 is the main event, but before that, you’ve got Truck Series practices and qualifiers from 3:05 PM to 3:25 PM, and then from 3:35 PM to 4:30 PM. The race itself fires up at 7:30 p.m. You can expect mostly cloudy skies, a comfy 74 degrees, and just a slight chance of rain at 20%.

But that’s just the start. The Xfinity gang also hits the track on the same day for their qualifying and practice sessions at 5:05 PM, squeezing in before the truck race begins. Then, come Saturday at 12:30 PM, it’s time for the Crown Royal Purple Bag Project 200. The weather might just be perfect—sunny skies (get your sunblock on), 77 degrees, and virtually no chance of rain.

On Sunday, the big boys take over. The Cup series drivers have practice from 10:35 AM to 11:20 AM on Saturday, followed by qualifying until 12:30 PM. Then, the Goodyear 400 starts revving up at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The skies might look partly cloudy, with a high of 76 and clear skies for the race. And, as always, you can catch all the thrills on the Fox family of channels.

This weekend’s Cup Series race at Darlington is stacking up to be a can’t-miss event, with 36 cars lined up on the entry list and no open spots left. Erik Jones is making a comeback to the #43 car after sitting out two races due to a back injury. Plus, most teams are going all out with some cool throwback paint schemes.

If you’re itching to catch the race live and chow down on your favorite burger, just head over to Darlington Raceway’s Ticket Central (https://www.darlingtonraceway.com/ticketcentral/) to buy your tickets. They’ve got both single and multi-day options for grandstand seats. While you’re at it, check out some deals for youth and family tickets—you might just pocket some savings. And don’t miss out on some special race day perks like walking the front stretch of the “Too Tough To Tame” track, signing the start/finish line, and getting up close to the driver introductions.

So, what’s the scoop on the race with all those vibrant cars? Here’s what you can expect: a flashy, full-throttle blast from the past that’ll definitely be a feast for the eyes and a thrill for race fans.

Who’s going to shine with their retro paint scheme theme race?

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First off, all these cool throwback designs will be up for grabs in a fan vote for the “Best in Show” across the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Craftsman Truck Series this weekend. Don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite!

While it’s a long shot to predict that Darlington Raceway will deliver the same edge-of-your-seat finish as we saw in Kansas, where Kyle Larson nabbed his second win of the season, Darlington, one of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks with 125 top-circuit races under its belt, is no stranger to unforgettable moments.

Last year, Larson and William Byron led a Hendrick Motorsports one-two finish here, and Chevrolet has nabbed three straight wins after a dry spell from 2014 to 2022.

• This time around, the buzz is about Ryan Blaney. He’s a bit of a dark horse, sitting sixth in the standings—the top Ford driver in a mostly Chevy-dominated top 10. Blaney’s racked up four top-fives this season and landed in the top 10 in both Darlington races last year, showing a solid improvement from his earlier runs at “The Lady in Black.”
• Then there’s Martin Truex Jr, who’s won twice at Darlington but has struggled with the Next-Gen Car here, suffering from mechanical issues despite leading significant laps in recent races. Could this be his chance to turn things around?
• Denny Hamlin, Truex’s teammate, also has a strong track record at Darlington, with a win, six top-fives, and eight top-10s. He’s led a whopping 770 laps here, making him a formidable contender.
• William Byron, matching Hamlin’s win count, boasts impressive stats too—898 laps led in the top five and 1,083 laps in the top 10 with the Next Gen car at Darlington. He’s one to watch.
• And let’s not overlook Erik Jones, the underdog with two wins, five top-fives, and eight top-10s in twelve starts here, maintaining an average finish of 11.8. He could surprise us all.

So, who’s your pick for Darlington’s throwback race weekend?