NASCAR Cup Series

It's time to cycle through the transmission for another edition of Four Gears. This week, our resident NASCAR analysts rate the three races that used the lower downforce package and give their takeaways from it. We also consider what three first-time winners this past weekend says about the level of talent with the young guns in the Truck, XFINITY and Cup Series as well as rate the quality of racing in the XFINITY Series over the last five races given the mix of tracks in those five races

September 1, 2016 – With inclement weather on the horizon from Hurricane Hermine, NASCAR officials have decided to cancel all on-track activity scheduled for Friday at Darlington Raceway in anticipations for Sunday night’s Bojangles’ Southern 500.

Darlington Raceway has long been the home of one of the sport’s most famed events; The Southern 500. Last season the track launched its Tradition Returns NASCAR Throwback weekend. The platform has quickly grown into one of the most popular events of the NASCAR season, with teams paying tribute to the past and the legends that paved the way for where the sport sits today.

One of the most appealing things about NASCAR is that it seems to produce memorable moments every weekend and 2016 is no exception. Whether it be close finishes, lug-nut controversies, or rookies taking poles, the first half of this year has not failed in producing much excitement.

Who is the greatest country singer ever associated with NASCAR? There has been Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Hank Williams Jr., Toby Keith, Cledus T. Judd, and lately Blake Shelton. That is a pretty impressive list of talent and it is far from complete. However, there is no question that the King of NASCAR Country was Marty Robbins.

2016 marks the second season of the great southern tradition’s return to Labor Day weekend. It also marks the second season of teams running “throwback” paint schemes to some of the sport’s most iconic cars throughout the years.

The legendary Darlington Raceway in South Carolina is the site of the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stop, its 1.366-mile track -- opened in 1950 -- a once-a-year visit on the calendar of Michael Annett and his No 46 Pilot Flying J Chevrolet team.

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.