The NASCAR Sprint Cup series steps back in time to the throwback that is Darlington Raceway for the Bojangles’ Southern 500. The only race this season at the “Track Too Tough To Tame” promises to be filled with excitement. We analyzed past performances, season trends, and talked to NASCAR contacts to shed a light on how the field should finish on Sunday night.
When: Sunday, September 4; 6:15 p.m./et.
Weather: Mostly sunny with a high around 84; wind out of the NE at 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 10 percent.
The Track: Darlington Raceway
Darlingtonis a 1.366 mile oval. It has 25 and 23 degree banking in the turns and three and two degree banking on the straight-aways. Darlingtonrewards aggressive and fearless drivers which is why it is the “Track Too Tough To Tame”.
Key to Race: THE TRACKTOO TOUGH TO TAME
The Southern 500, Darlington, and Labor Day are a tradition that thankfully NASCAR resumed last year after a decade+ long hiatus. NASCAR will run the aero-package it has used for most of this year. Joe Gibbs Racing has been the fastest team on the circuit using this set-up.
Denny Hamlin has driven fantastic at Darlington during his career and is a wise choice this weekend. Kyle Busch is another name to circle from JGR. He has cracked the top 10 in the past four starts at the track. If you are looking for a driver outside Gibbs Racing, Kevin Harvick has had plenty of past success at the track.
Qualifying Procedures:
40 cars will attempt to qualify for 40 spots.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet:
Top 5
No. 19 Carl Edwards: Edwards won at Darlington last year and has made the top 10 in eight of his 12 career starts at Darlington. He is a great option on Sunday.
No. 11 Denny Hamlin: Hamlin has had one of the best cars in the past nine races at Darlington. This is a good weekend to have the No. 11 active in all leagues.
No. 18 Kyle Busch: Rowdy has finished inside the top seven the past four starts at Darlington. He is a great pick to win.
No. 4 Kevin Harvick: Harvick figured out Darlington in 2010 and has been fast at the track since. He won the 2014 edition of the race and will be in contention all night long.
No. 48 Jimmie Johnson: Johnson has three wins and has finished outside the top 10 just five times in 46 career starts at Darlington. He should be in the top five all day.
6 to 10
No. 20 Matt Kenseth: Kenseth won at Darlington in 2013. He should flirt with another top five finish this weekend.
No. 2 Brad Keselowski: Keselowski finished second last year and has been very good at Darlington during his career. He is worth using in most leagues.
No. 22 Joey Logano: Logano drove a great race at Darlington last year, but this isn’t one of his better tracks. He will just miss the top five.
No. 88 Jeff Gordon: Gordon has seven wins in 35 career starts at Darlington. He could get one more dance with ‘The Lady in Black’ this weekend.
No. 78 Martin Truex Jr.: Truex has cracked the top 14 in all but two of his career starts at Darlington. He will be near the front all weekend.
11 to 20
No. 25 Chase Elliott: Elliott was taken out in his first Cup start at Darlington last year. He could notch a top 10 finish this visit to South Carolina.
No. 42 Kyle Larson: Larson was terrific at Darlington the past two years. He is a safe choice in all leagues.
No. 31 Ryan Newman: Newman has seven top five finishes in 17 career starts at Darlington. He is a very good option this weekend.
No. 5 Kasey Kahne: Kahne has four poles and three top five finishes in 13 career starts at Darlington. He is someone to watch.
No. 41 Kurt Busch: Busch has had just two top 10 finishes at Darlington since 2004. This is a rare weekend that he won’t be much of a factor.
No. 14 Tony Stewart: Smoke has 12 top 10 finishes in 23 career starts at Darlington. He has never won at the track and won’t find victory lane this trip to South Carolina.
No. 3 Austin Dillon: Dillon finished in 11th place at Darlington in 2014. He is a fine choice.
No. 16 Greg Biffle: Biffle has had one of the most dominant cars in eight of the last 11 races at Darlington. He is a good choice to round-out-your-roster this weekend.
No. 17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: Ricky has cracked the top 20 in both career Cup starts at Darlington. He will finish around the same spot this trip to the track.
No. 43 Aric Almirola: Almirola finished 11th last year at Darlington. He has some value as a third or fourth driver on fantasy rosters this weekend.
21 to 30
No. 1 Jamie McMurray
No. 6 Trevor Bayne
No. 27 Paul Menard
No. 15 Clint Bowyer
No. 47 A.J. Allmendinger
No. 38 Landon Cassill
No. 10 Danica Patrick
No. 13 Casey Mears
No. 21 Ryan Blaney
No. 7 Regan Smith
Field Fillers
No. 34 Chris Buescher
No. 95 Michael McDowell
No. 44 Brian Scott
No. 83 Matt DiBenedetto
No. 23 David Ragan
No. 98 Cole Whitt
No. 46 Michael Annett
No. 30 Josh Wise
No. 32 Jeffrey Earnhardt
No. 55 Reed Sorenson
My NASCAR LIVE Team for this Week:
A.J. Allmendinger
Race Winner: Denny Hamlin
Manufacturer: Toyota
My Yahoo! Fantasy NASCAR Team for this Week:
A. Denny Hamlin
B. Kyle Larson
C. Jeff Gordon
