It all boils down to this. With the 2024 regular season finally wrapping up, we can prepare for the last showdown. The Cook Out Southern 500 is merely days away, and tensions are gripping the Cup Series garage. Only three playoff slots remain up for grabs after Harrison Burton clinched a win last weekend, and as many as 15 drivers desperately need a win to punch that golden ticket.

So Darlington Raceway will be the venue for all the late-season drama. This crown jewel event is too precious to miss out on, as the egg-shaped oval has witnessed several historic events in the past. So buckle your seatbelts and sit back for a fun ride as we delve into the details of the upcoming race.

Cook Out Southern 500: What to Look Out for?

The ‘Track Too Tough to Tame’ has been a regular fixture in NASCAR. This particular race, the Cook Out Southern 500, has been around for ages—the first race flagged off way back in 1950. With over 20 degrees of banking on all turns, the 1.33-mile asphalt oval usually witnesses the best-of-the-best putting up a stellar show. In 14 of the last 17 Southern 500 races, the winner has had at least 25 career victories. But meanwhile, we can delve into all the information about the race.

With Leigh Diffey gracing the NBC Sports broadcast booth along with Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton, it is bound to be an ‘electric’ experience for fans. On August 30th, practice begins at 12:30 p.m. ET, followed by qualifying at 1:20 p.m. ET. Then on D-Day, or September 1st, the countdown to the green flag starts at 5:30 p.m. Finally, the Southern 500 will kick off at 6 p.m., with a 20% chance of rain. All Cup events can be watched on USA Network. NASCAR journalist Bob Pockrass updated the entire schedule in a Twitter post.

Darlington Raceway has a slew of exciting options as fans think about purchasing tickets. For instance, reserved grandstand seats are available alongside a Pre-Race Experience pass. Weekend packages accommodating both Saturday and Sunday schedules for the Southern 500 are available. Gearhead families can also enjoy 4-pack deals, while college students can get into the action for just $25.

The line-up boasts 37 drivers who will test their driving prowess at Darlington this weekend. They include 34 full-timers and the usual peeps we see on the racetrack, along with three others. Xfinity star Shane van Gisbergen, recently announced as a full-time Cup driver next season, will make his 6th start. Elsewhere, Kaz Grala is back in the No. 15 car for Rick Ware Racing, and Timmy Hill will drive the No. 66 for MBM Motorsports.

The racers will be split into two groups, each of which will get 20 minutes of practice. Then the field will compete in two-round qualifying. Ultimately, only a few are being eyed as favorites—Denny Hamlin owns four South Carolina wins, including three Southern 500 trophies. Then Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Erik Jones have multiple wins. However, the battle may be especially intense between Tyler Reddick, the points leader, and Kyle Larson, the defending winner.

Besides the on-track action, fans have a nostalgic treat waiting for them off-track.

Tribute paid to a Darlington great

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This past New Year’s Eve, we lost a NASCAR legend who left his mark on the Lady in Black. Cale Yarborough won the Southern 500 race five times over his career (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978, and 1982). This record stood intact till Jeff Gordon won his sixth Southern 500 in 2007. Yarborough’s name stands out proudly over the Cup Series garage at Darlington. For this year’s Southern 500, his Oldsmobile Cutlass, which he drove to his third straight championship in 1978, would be on display for fans to relish at the track’s Fan Fest area. Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett will drive it behind the pace car kickoff of Sunday night’s race.

This tribute to NASCAR’s legend has warmed many hearts. “It’s going to be really special to see Daddy’s car on the track again,” said Yarborough’s daughter, Julie.

Then 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace also marveled at the historical spectacle. “It’s pretty special to hear and see how much the sport has evolved and changed,” Wallace said. “From scheduling, to fans, to whatever it is, it’s definitely nice to take a trip down memory lane.” Indeed, to see the 83-time NASCAR winner’s old ride on full display as current drivers vie for the Southern 500 victory would be grand, indeed.

Evidently, this weekend holds in store a basket of wonderful experiences for NASCAR fans. Just head over to Darlington Raceway’s website to purchase your tickets and be a part of the action!