With just two races before NASCAR‘s post-season begins, which Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers can clinch a playoff berth at Darlington this weekend?
The teams will be sporting throwback looks during the Labor Day Weekend race at Darlington Raceway in the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Many teams will wear throwback fire suits and the cars will feature throwback paint schemes. That is all cosmetic. The real story will be how the drivers and teams deal with the track that is nicknamed “The Lady In Black” and “The Track Too Tough to Tame.” Both nicknames make you realize this weekend’s race will be a real challenge.
Here is the track and race data that all the drivers will be facing this weekend.
Darlington Raceway Data
Track Size: 1.366-miles
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 25 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 23 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 6 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 6 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,229 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,229 feet
Bojangles’ Southern 500 Data
Season Race #: 25 of 36 (09-01-19)
Race Length: 367 laps / 501.3 miles
Stage 1 & 2 Length: 100 laps (each)
Final Stage Length: 167 laps
Many of the drivers are trying to get in the playoff picture while several are trying to lock the spots they already occupy. This will lead to varying plans of attack for the race. If these plans cross paths, drama could ensue.
There are nine drivers who have already clinched their post-season berths by winning at least one race this season. Those drivers will be looking to acquire more Playoff Points to bolster their rank when the post-season begins and aid them throughout the playoffs.
There are six drivers that can clinch their spots in the NASCAR post-season at Darlington. However, the likelihood for some of them is not very strong. To clinch their spot these drivers will need to finish the race 56 points (or more) over the driver in 17th place in the point standings. These six drivers are Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson, William Byron, Aric Almirola, Erik Jones and Ryan Newman. Click here to find out exactly what these drivers need to happen to clinch their spots in the NASCAR Playoffs.
The rest of the drivers will have to win the Bojangles’ Southern 500 to clinch their post-season berth at Darlington. Let’s take a look at which drivers have performed well in their cup series careers at “The Track Too Tough to Tame.”
Top 10 Active Driver Ratings at Darlington
Denny Hamlin……………………… 109.0
Kyle Larson………………………… 108.1
Erik Jones………………………….. 105.7
Kyle Busch…………………………. 104.5
Kevin Harvick……………………… 100.9
Martin Truex Jr……………………. 100.1
Brad Keselowski……………………. 98.1
Jimmie Johnson…………………….. 97.6
Ryan Newman………………………. 92.0
Joey Logano…………………………. 89.7
Note: Driver Ratings compiled from 2005-2018 races (14 total) among active drivers at Darlington Raceway.
There are six active drivers who have won at least one cup series race on “The Lady In Black.” Five of those drivers are locked in the playoffs.
Jimmie Johnson – 3 Wins
Denny Hamlin – 2 Wins
Brad Keselowski – 1 Win (last year’s race)
Kevin Harvick – 1 Win
Kyle Busch – 1 Win
Martin Truex Jr. – 1 Win
Note: Names in red are locked in 2019 playoffs with at least one win this season.
With the uncertainty of racing on “The Lady in Black” the playoff picture could change from lap-to-lap this weekend. That post-season picture could completely change on the last lap if there is a new 2019 winner. Who will clinch, if anybody? Who will be knocked out of the post-season picture? What drama will happen that could be continued in the playoffs?
We will find out when the green flag waives Sunday, September 1st to start the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway starting at 5 PM central time (6 PM eastern time).
By: Buck Stevens
