{"id":21603,"date":"2018-09-02T17:27:12","date_gmt":"2018-09-02T22:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=21603"},"modified":"2018-09-02T17:30:49","modified_gmt":"2018-09-02T22:30:49","slug":"nascar-race-preview-bojangles-southern-500-at-darlington-raceway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2018\/09\/02\/nascar-race-preview-bojangles-southern-500-at-darlington-raceway\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR race preview: Bojangles\u2019 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway"},"content":{"rendered":"

News, notes and photos courtesy of NASCAR<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Next Race: Bojangles\u2019 Southern 500<\/b><\/p>\n

The Place: Darlington Raceway<\/b><\/p>\n

The Date: Sunday, September 2<\/b><\/p>\n

The Time: 6 p.m. ET<\/b><\/p>\n

TV: NBCSN, 5 p.m. ET<\/b><\/p>\n

Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio<\/b><\/p>\n

Distance: 501.3 miles (367 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 100),<\/b><\/p>\n

Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 200), Final Stage (Ends on Lap 367).<\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sitting Pretty For The Playoffs<\/b><\/p>\n

The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series arrives at the famed Darlington Raceway this weekend following its final off-week of the season and there is an unmistakable Playoff push in the air for the Bojangles\u2019 Southern 500 (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).<\/p>\n

\"\"

Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Skittles 1998 Retro Toyota, drives during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Seven-time winner Kevin Harvick, six-time winner and regular season points leader Kyle Busch, four-time winner Martin Truex Jr. and two-time winner Clint Bowyer \u2013 the series\u2019 only repeat winners to date – have already secured a shot at the championship and enter the Playoffs considered the favorites.<\/p>\n

However, there is a talented group of drivers filling out that top 16 championship-bound group equally as motivated and arguably, peaking at the right time. A win this weekend would booster their case. Race winners Kurt Busch, Austin Dillon, Joey Logano, and first-time trophy hoisters Chase Elliott and Erik Jones are Playoff-eligible by victories. And Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson have clinched their spots based on the points standings.<\/p>\n

As of now, the four drivers who tentatively make up the remainder of the Playoff field still need to secure their positions inside the 16-driver Playoff field \u2013 Denny Hamlin, Aric Almirola, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Bowman, who holds a 79-point advantage on the field in the final Playoff transfer position.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 FedEx Throwback Toyota, drives during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Clinch Scenario Not Too Tough To Tame For Hamlin<\/b><\/p>\n

Following the last Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, three drivers locked up a spot in the Playoffs, despite a \u2018zero\u2019 in the wins column \u2013 Ryan Blaney, Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski. The trio has scored enough points during the regular season to ensure that there is no way for them to fall out of the 16-driver grid.<\/p>\n

That now makes 12 drivers who have locked up a spot in the 10-race Playoffs. We may see a few more added after Sunday\u2019s race at Darlington, with Denny Hamlin the most likely candidate to add his name to the prestigious list.<\/p>\n

Here are the clinch scenarios for Sunday\u2019s race at the Track Too Tough to Tame:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Denny Hamlin \u2013 If Hamlin scores 8 points, he will clinch a Playoff spot.  If there is a repeat winner at Darlington, Hamlin would clinch regardless of points scored.<\/li>\n
  • Aric Almirola – If there is a repeat winner, Almirola would clinch with 25-points. He could also clinch with a new winner and help.<\/li>\n
  • Jimmie Johnson \u2013 Johnson could clinch with a repeat winner and help, or by winning the race.<\/li>\n
  • The following drivers can only guarantee a Playoff clinch by winning at Darlington: Alex Bowman, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Newman, Daniel Suarez, Paul Menard, William Byron, Jamie McMurray, Chris Buescher, AJ Allmendinger, David Ragan, Darrell Wallace Jr., Kasey Kahne, Michael McDowell and Ty Dillon.<\/li>\n
  • Matt DiBenedetto could clinch with a win but would need help clinching a top 30 spot. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Hamlin is a two-time winner and defending race champion at Darlington. With three Darlington trophies, Johnson is the winningest driver in Sunday night\u2019s field<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Beer Throwback Ford, prepares to climb into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    The \u201cBig 3\u201d At Darlington<\/b><\/p>\n

    All members of the current Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series \u201cBig 3\u201d have previous wins at Darlington. And points leader Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, ranks among the series\u2019 top-three drivers at Darlington in five of the six key loop data statistical categories. His 598 passes there are best among the competition. In 13 starts, he has posted one win (2008) and three top fives and eight top 10s.<\/p>\n

    Seven-time 2018 winner Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford, is second only to Denny Hamlin in top-five finishes at Darlington with five. And he\u2019s on a streak of six top-10 finishes this summer, including victories at Michigan and New Hampshire in the last five weeks. Interestingly, his last win at the \u201cTrack Too Tough to Tame\u201d came in his 2014 championship season.<\/p>\n

    Truex, the 2016 Darlington winner, has a streak of three top-10 finishes at the track. The driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Racing Toyota has had three finishes of 14th or worse in the season\u2019s last four races, but was running among the top-five when he was crashed out at the series\u2019 last race, in Bristol, two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    #10: Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Smithfield Helping Hungry Homes<\/p><\/div>\n

    Stewart-Haas Racing Looks To Be All In<\/b><\/p>\n

    The Stewart-Haas Racing team looks to have a perfect team Playoff mark for the first-time since fielding a four-car stable. And it may be the only team Playoff sweep of the season. Three of the four SHR drivers have already qualified for the playoffs with victories. The veteran Harvick has seven wins, Bowyer has two and Kurt Busch picked up his first of the season at Bristol two weeks ago.<\/p>\n

    The newest addition to the driving stable, Aric Almirola, has looked prime for a trophy hoist, as well. He has three top-10 finishes in the last six races. His 10 top-10s on the season are already a career-high, with 12 races still remaining. And his 115 laps led is also already a career-high mark for the driver of the No. 10 SHR Ford.<\/p>\n

    Hamlin\u2019s Hamlet<\/b><\/p>\n

    For whatever reason, Denny Hamlin has had an instant, positive and productive connection with one of NASCAR\u2019s notoriously toughest ovals \u2013 Darlington Raceway. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver is still looking for his first win of the season and as the defending winner of the Southern 500, this week\u2019s venue may well be circled on his schedule.<\/p>\n

    Hamlin boasts the top driver rating (110.3 \u2013 well above the next statistical best of Kyle Busch at 105.1), the best average running position (7.8) and tops the list of fastest laps run (272) in this race. His average start is 9.417 \u2013 and he\u2019s the only driver (who has made more than one start at the track) averaging better than 10th   <\/sup>on the starting grid. His two pole positions ties Kurt Busch for most among the Playoff drivers.<\/p>\n

    And most importantly for the driver of the No. 11 JGR Toyota, Hamlin has 10 top-10 finishes in 12 career starts at Darlington, including seven top-fives and two wins.<\/p>\n

    Hamlin has won the Busch Pole position at two of the last venues on the 2018 schedule \u2013 Watkins Glen and Michigan, but he\u2019s had only two top-10 finishes in the last seven races.<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Crabill\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    Johnson\u2019s Lair<\/b><\/p>\n

    No driver entered this weekend has won more races (three) at Darlington than seven-time Monster Energy Series champion Jimmie Johnson. However, for the first time in his NASCAR Hall of Fame-bound career, Johnson is winless on the season as he arrives in South Carolina for Sunday\u2019s race.<\/p>\n

    Johnson\u2019s last race win here \u2013 in 2012 \u2013 was a historic 200th win for his Hendrick Motorsports team, and this weekend his No. 48 Chevrolet will have a \u201cthrowback\u201d paint scheme honoring that special weekend.<\/p>\n

    And although Johnson is still looking for that first win of 2018, there is historical reason to believe it may be close. Of his 83 Monster Energy Series wins, Johnson has won 34 of them in the months of September (10), October (14) and November (10).<\/p>\n

    There has been progress this year, if still no trophy, yet. Johnson is coming off a top 10 at Bristol Motor Speedway in the last race \u2013 his eighth top 10 of the year. He\u2019s looking for his first top 10 at Darlington since a third-place finish in 2014.<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    #42: Kyle Larson, Chip Ganassi Racing, Chevrolet Camaro DC Solar<\/p><\/div>\n

    Throwback Look Back<\/b><\/p>\n

    While there are certain drivers who historically have faired well at Darlington, recent races have proven that the driver out front for most of the day may not win.<\/p>\n

    In the last six races, the driver who led the most laps has won only half the races \u2013 and that includes last year when Hamlin and 14th-place finisher Kyle Larson both led a race-high 124 laps.<\/p>\n

    Four of the last six races have featured at least 20 lead changes \u2013 including a high of 24 lead changes in Carl Edwards\u2019 2015 Southern 500 win. Edwards beat out Brad Keselowski in that race despite the fact Keselowski led a dominant 196 of the 367 laps.<\/p>\n

    Three times in the last six races a driver has led at least 200 laps and twice that driver did not win.  Harvick led 214 laps in 2016 despite finishing runner-up to Truex; Harvick led 238 laps in winning the 2014 race and Kyle Busch led 265 laps in his sixth place run to Matt Kenseth in 2013.<\/p>\n

    \"\"

    Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 STP Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 1, 2018 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Josh Hedges\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

    Sunoco Rookie Race<\/b><\/p>\n

    The summer, of late, has been a bit of a tough run for the Monster Energy Series\u2019 Sunoco rookies. Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron still leads the rookie race over Richard Petty Motorsports driver Bubba Wallace, but both young drivers are hopeful to turn things around this week at Darlington.<\/p>\n

    Byron, 20, is ranked 21st in the Monster Energy Series points standings. He qualified an impressive fifth at Bristol \u2013 his first ever top-five Cup start – but finished 23rd. The driver of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet had back-to-back top-10 finishes at Pocono (sixth) and Watkins Glen (eighth) but has finished 36th at Michigan and then 23rd at Bristol since. In his only NASCAR Xfinity Series start at Darlington in 2017, he finished fifth.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI love Darlington,\u2019\u2019 Byron said. \u201cI went there as a kid to watch the race a few times. As a driver, it\u2019s just a fun track to get around. It\u2019s really challenging \u2013 you have to run against the wall on both ends of the racetrack, which is very demanding on the equipment and mentally on the driver.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI really enjoy it and we had a pretty good run there last year (in the NASCAR Xfinity Series), so I\u2019m looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Wallace, 24, the driver for the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet, is 26th in the Monster Energy Series standings and hoping to rebound from a tough luck incident at Bristol when he was collected in a crash only three laps into the race. He has had DNFs in two of the last four races this summer. His Xfinity Series finishes at Darlington are 14th and 17th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    News, notes and photos courtesy of NASCAR   Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Next Race: Bojangles\u2019 Southern 500 The Place: Darlington Raceway The Date: Sunday, September 2 The Time: 6 p.m. ET TV: NBCSN, 5 p.m. ET Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Distance: 501.3 miles (367 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 100), Stage 2 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":21606,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[650,651,16],"class_list":["post-21603","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-bojangles-southern-500","tag-darlington-raceway","tag-nascar"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/357548.jpg?fit=4051%2C2696","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-5Cr","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21603","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21603"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21603\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21612,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21603\/revisions\/21612"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21606"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21603"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21603"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21603"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}