Still striving for a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, current driver Ryan Blaney needs to find victory lane to keep his hopes alive for a title in his rookie season. A strong fourth-place showing in the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday proved the team has what it takes to run with the leaders.
Richard Petty Motorsports today announced competition changes to improve their on-track performance. Effectively immediately, Philippe Lopez and Scott McDougall will temporarily oversee all competition duties and roles previously held by Sammy Johns both at the track and at the race shop.
In 53 events at Darlington Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports has earned 14 wins, seven pole positions, 44 top-five finishes and 72 top-10s. Johnson most recently won at the historic track on May 12, 2012, to claim Hendrick Motorsports’ 200th Sprint Cup victory. Gordon leads all active drivers with seven wins, 19 top-five finishes, 23 top-10s, a 6.8 average start and 1,744 laps led at the 1.366-mile oval. Kahne leads all active drivers at the track with four pole positions. Johnson’s average finish of 9.1 ranks third-best among active drivers at Darlington.
“Darlington is one of my favorite tracks,” said Truex. “It’s such a fun place to race but at the same time, it is one of the most difficult tracks. You have to attack the track and put it on the edge every lap. In order to attack Darlington, you need to feel comfortable with the speed, downforce and grip or the track will grab you and put you into the wall. Though it has many challenges, Darlington is still an awesome track and there’s nothing like it.”
The AdvoCare Ford will have a different look this weekend as part of Darlington’s Tradition Continues as it will carry the same red, white and blue design as Mark Martin’s No. 6 Roush Fenway Ford did during the 1996 and 1997 NSCS seasons.
“It’s really an honor to have this scheme, a Hall of Famers scheme, on our race car this weekend with Mark Martin. I think it will be one of the best-looking cars of the weekend and hopefully, we can give it a great run on Saturday and see if we can get this Ford Mustang in victory lane come days’ end.”
In memory of Kulwicki, Biffle’s No. 16 Hooters Ford Fusion will have “UNDERBIRD” across the nose of the car for the NASCAR Throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway. In 1992 Kulwicki changed his “THUNDERBIRD” to “UNDERBIRD” for the 1992 Hooters 500 season finale, as he was the underdog to win the Championship that season. Kulwicki overcame a 30-point deficit to become the 1992 Champion.
“I’m definitely looking forward to Darlington this weekend and seeing all the throwback paint schemes under the lights. It is a huge honor to be able to run the 1975 throwback paint scheme of Darrell’s at Darlington.
Darlington Raceway invited teams to participate in a weekend of nostalgia with throwback paint schemes. Richard Petty Motorsports took on the challenge and replicated the paint scheme of the 1979 No. 43 STP car driven by "The King" Richard Petty.
Twisted Tea will be back on the hood of the No. 44 Ford Fusion, featuring their unique yellow and blue paint scheme with a special twist this weekend. Brian Scott and the No. 44 Twisted Tea team will have a special fan photo riding along on the car at this weekend's Bojangles' Southern 500, thanks to a promotion with Twisted Tea.
HSR's First Overseas Race This Weekend at the Le Mans Classic Legend Celebrates the Golden Anniversary of NASCAR's First Appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1976
Spire Motorsports has one previous start at the 1.5-mile oval dating to 2019, though Daniel Suárez and Michael McDowell have combined for 12 Cup starts at the track.
Zane Smith, driver of the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang Dark Horse, will be making his 100th career NASCAR Cup Series start when the green flag falls this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway.
This weekend will mark the first NASCAR action at Chicagoland Speedway since 2019. Prior to that, the circuit made a yearly stop at the 1.5-mile track for 19 consecutive seasons, starting in 2001.
