NASCAR at Darlington This Weekend: Craftsman Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series

NASCAR hits Darlington Raceway this weekend with 3 series: Truck (Friday 7:30 PM ET), Xfinity (Saturday 5:30 PM), Cup (Sunday 3 PM). The track "Too Tough to Tame".

NASCAR weekend at one of America's most legendary tracks 🏁🏟️

Darlington Raceway — known as "The Lady in Black" and "Too Tough to Tame" — hosts all three major NASCAR series this weekend (March 20-22, 2026).

Weekend Schedule

Friday, March 20

• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
• Time: 7:30 PM ET
• TV: FS1
• The truck series returns to Darlington after several years away

Saturday, March 21

• NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity)
• Time: 5:30 PM ET
• TV: The CW
• Development series — future Cup Series champions

Sunday, March 22

• NASCAR Cup Series
• Time: 3:00 PM ET
• TV: FS1
• The main event — the world's best stock car drivers

Why Is Darlington So Special?

1. NASCAR's Toughest Track

Darlington is famous for being "Too Tough to Tame" because:

• Egg-shaped: the turns aren't identical — Turn 1/2 are different from Turn 3/4
• Very narrow: cars run close to the outside wall, leaving the famous "Darlington Stripe" (paint scrape on the car's side)
• High tire degradation: tires wear out fast, making pit stop strategy crucial
• Hard to pass: overtaking requires extreme skill and bravery

2. History and Tradition

Darlington is NASCAR's oldest track still in use:

• Opened in 1950
• First 500-mile race in NASCAR (Southern 500)
• Has seen legends like Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, David Pearson, and more recently Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick

3. "Throwback Weekend"

Each year in September, Darlington celebrates "Throwback Weekend" where:

• Cars sport retro paint schemes
• Tribute to legendary drivers and teams
• One of the most popular weekends of the year for fans

(Note: This March weekend is NOT Throwback — that's in September. This is the spring race.)

What to Expect This Weekend?

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (Friday)

The truck series returns to Darlington after several years away. Expect:

• Aggressive action: truck drivers are young and hungry
• Lots of contact: Darlington doesn't forgive mistakes, we'll see trucks hitting the wall
• Tire strategy: whoever manages tire degradation best will win

NASCAR Xfinity Series (Saturday)

The development series always delivers exciting races:

• Young drivers trying to prove they deserve a Cup Series seat
• Some Cup Series drivers race in Xfinity for practice
• Guaranteed spectacle — these drivers race at 110%

NASCAR Cup Series (Sunday)

The main event — the world's best in stock car racing:

• Experienced drivers who know Darlington vs rookies still learning
• Pit stop strategy will be key — when to change tires?
• Expect multiple cautions (yellow flags) from wall crashes
• The winner will be whoever best manages tire degradation and avoids the wall

Drivers to Watch

Cup Series

Some drivers who have historically succeeded at Darlington:

• Kevin Harvick — nicknamed "The Closer" for his Darlington wins
• Denny Hamlin — multiple victories at "The Lady in Black"
• Kyle Busch — master at managing tire degradation
• Martin Truex Jr. — expert at tough tracks

How to Watch the Races?

TV

• Trucks: FS1 (Friday 7:30 PM ET)
• Xfinity: The CW (Saturday 5:30 PM ET)
• Cup: FS1 (Sunday 3:00 PM ET)

Streaming

• FOX Sports App — with cable subscription
• NASCAR.com — some races available
• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV — include FS1 and The CW

🚛 The Trucking Connection

NASCAR has deep roots in trucking:

• Many teams transport their cars in haulers (customized semi-trucks)
• NASCAR haulers are rolling works of art — they cost $500K-$1M each
• Hauler drivers are elite professionals handling millions of dollars in equipment
• NASCAR logistics is a trucking ballet — moving from track to track each week

Craftsman Truck Series — Tribute to Trucking

The NASCAR truck series uses bodies that look like pickups (though they're race cars underneath). Brands like:

• Ford F-150
• Chevy Silverado
• Toyota Tundra

It's a tribute to the trucking industry and the workers who move America 🚛

🚛 Keep Your Truck in Race Shape

NASCAR cars receive impeccable maintenance before every race — your truck deserves the same.

At The Truck Savers™ we help you keep your truck in championship condition:

• Free road simulator inspection — detects problems before they take you out of the race
• Professional alignment computer — as precise as a NASCAR alignment
• Suspension and brakes — keep your truck handling perfectly
• Tire balancing — reduces uneven wear and vibration

Call us: (713) 455-5566 (Houston)

👉 Visit our online store for parts.

Conclusion

This weekend (March 20-22) is pure NASCAR at Darlington 🏁 Three series, three nights of action, and the sport's most legendary track. Don't miss it — especially the return of the Craftsman Trucks to "The Lady in Black" 🚛💨

Source: NASCAR.com, Speedway Media, HaaS Factory Team