The NASCAR Cup Series concludes the regular season on Sunday evening at Darlington Raceway.
Expect a wild scramble at the finish as drivers try to keep their championship dreams alive at the Cookout Southern 500. Thirteen drivers have qualified for the 16-team playoffs, and contenders like Kyle Busch and Bubba Wallace are hoping for the checkered flag to advance.
Harrison Burton became the 13th driver to secure a spot when he scored a stunner at Daytona last weekend to qualify for the NASCAR playoffs.
Darlington’s track, dubbed “Lady in Black,” had begun in the playoffs the past two seasons, but the Olympic break and Darlington’s traditional broadcast slot on Labor Day weekend made it necessary to end the regular season.
Busch, who is 16th in the points standings, is 106 points behind the playoffs and would need his first win for Darlington since 2008 to advance.
The three winless drivers in the field are 2017 champion Martin Truex Jr., his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Ty Gibbs, and Chris Buescher. Bubba Wallace, who reached the Round of 12 in last year’s playoffs, is 17th on the playoff grid, 21 points behind Buescher.
As for the Xfinity Series, the countdown to the playoffs is on. There are four races left in the regular season, which begins this week in Darlington. Races in Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Bristol are the last before the 12-team playoffs.
Justin Algaier leads the points standings, Chandler Smith is second, Austin Hill is third and defending champion Cole Custer is fourth.
For once, there is no risk of rain this weekend: partly sunny weather and temperatures between 35 and 35 degrees are forecast for Saturday and Sunday.
Here are details on how and where you can watch both series in action this weekend.
NASCAR CUP SERIES
Barbecue Party Southern 500
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.: Practice and qualifying at Darlington Raceway, USA Network or live stream on fubo TV (FREE trial), Sling TV (discount) or DirecTV Stream (FREE trial and discount)
Sunday, 6:00 p.m.: Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, USA Network or live stream on fubo TV (FREE trial), Sling TV (discount) or DirecTV Stream (FREE trial and discount)
XFINITY SERIES
Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.: Practice and qualifying at Darlington Raceway, NBC Sports App
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway, USA Network or live stream on fubo TV (FREE trial), Sling TV (discount) or DirecTV Stream (FREE trial and discount)
