Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M/OH/ES Ford, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools Chevrolet, lead the field past the green flag to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, May 12, 2012
Photo – Tyler Barrick/Getty Images
Looking for good ‘ole classic racing? Watch Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race at Darlington, where the track ‘Too Tough to Tame’ offers close racing, often involving drivers making contact with the wall and earning a classic ‘Darlington Stripe.’ The ‘Lady in Black offers fans and drivers enjoyable, exciting racing this weekend. There’s only one track that could top the Talladega race, fans saw last weekend; and that track is Darlington.
The Bojangles’ Southern 500 will run on Saturday, May 11, 2013 and the green-flag will wave at 7:00 PM EST. The cars will beat and bang on the tough Darlington track for 367 laps and 501.322 miles. Saturday night’s weather forecast looks iffy with isolated thunder-storms forecast and a 50% chance of rain. Despite the weather prediction, everything is a go for Saturday’s race on FOX; and on MRN.
When the Cup Series was last at the Lady in Black, Jimmie Johnson took the checkers and an extra special win for his team at Hendrick Motorsports. That was Hendrick’s 200th Cup Series win, that had haunted them since the 2011 Chase race at Kansas. Johnson picked up the win after being in control for most of the race and is once again a favorite for this race. With a good run, Johnson could easily be back in victory lane.
The Gen 6 car is creating a surge of storylines this season and even more headlines are developing for this weekend’s race. First, Denny Hamlin is back behind the wheel of his No.11 car after sitting out since his Fontana wreck in March. Hamlin is stoked as he returns behind the wheel and since Darlington is one of his best tracks, he believes he could take the win.
While Hamlin is returning, a few crew chiefs are not at the track this weekend due to suspensions.
Brad Keselowski’s crew chief, Paul Wolfe, and Joey Logano’s crew chief, Todd Gordon, are both suspended for three races after John Middlebrook decreased their suspensions from seven races to three (including All-Star). Matt Kenseth will also be without Jason Ratcliff after an appeal board decreased his suspension from seven (including All-Star) to one race. All three drivers are without a valuable team member, but all can easily be contending for the win.
There are more storylines after a thrilling Talladega race. David Ragan took the checkers and is returning this weekend looking for more success. On the opposite end Ragan’s win are drivers including Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch, and Clint Bowyer, all caught-up in wrecks and looking for a comeback-performance this weekend.
Almost every driver, competing this weekend, will leave with a Darlington stripe on the side of their car, but only one driver is leaving with the trophy. The list is gigantic of drivers who either need or could win this weekend and every driver has a shot at victory. Darlington is one tough track and usually provides an exciting show for fans. By the time the race ends, expect everyone on their feet since Darlington races usually have a special kind of magic. The Lady in Black likely has something special up her sleeve for this weekend’s race and is likely to turn the Bojangles’ Southern 500 into a race fans won’t soon forget.
Next Race – The Sprint All-Star Race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina
