NASCAR Cup Series

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.

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.

Heading into this weekend's 500-mile event in the track "Too Tough to Tame", the No.32 CorvetteParts.Net/Otter Pops team will head south to "The Palmetto State" with Jeffrey Earnhardt behind the wheel for the yearly visit at the fast 1.366-mile speedway in Darlington, SC.