Midweek racing takes center stage as NASCAR returns after a ten-week halt.

Midweek racing scores big in NASCAR after the COVID 19 pandemic shut down racing since mid-March. As a hot topic in racing, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series midweek races at Darlington Raceway are a huge deal. Up to this past week, the Southern 500 weekend was the only Darlington event on the schedule. The notorious ‘Lady in Black’ was the host for three additional events with two of those races running midweek. Some tracks are losing their dates to a modified schedule. So, Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, next week, are filling the void.

NASCAR Cup Series

Kevin Harvick won the first Cup Series event on a traditional Sunday afternoon. The other two races at Darlington Raceway were midweek.

On Wednesday night, the second Cup race had the feel of Saturday night short track competition. The threat of rain was creating a sense of urgency contributing to aggressiveness on the track. Drivers were racing hard, and by the end, tempers were flaring. Denny Hamlin sailed past the checkered flag to win while third-place Kyle Busch inadvertently nipped second-place Chase Elliott, sending him spinning out of the race.

NASCAR Xfinity Series

The Xfinity Series race on Thursday afternoon was an exciting finish for the highlight reels. In a thrilling battle for the top spot were Kyle Busch, the Cup Series veteran, and Chase Briscoe, the sophomore Xfinity Series driver. It was an emotional victory for Briscoe to outduel one of the best drivers in NASCAR.

For many, it was a refreshing change of pace to watch races in the middle of the week. The idea for racing midweek may bring in new fans who are busy or watching other sports on a typical race weekend.

Keeping the traditional race weekend intact is very important. The midweek races taking place now is a sneak peek for fans and a chance for NASCAR to study the idea. Darlington Raceway gave old and new fans some refreshing and exciting entertainment. Hopefully, the 2021 NASCAR schedule will show more midweek racing is a move in the right direction for the future of the sport

Charlotte Motor Speedway is hosting NASCAR’s top-three series for four races this week.

• The NASCAR Cup Series crown jewel Coca Cola 600 is on Sunday, May 24th. Television coverage is at 6 pm ET on FOX.
• Watch the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Memorial Day, May 25th, at 8 pm ET on FS1.
• The NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series returns for some midweek racing on Tuesday, May 26th, at 8 pm ET on FS1.
• On Wednesday, May 27th, the Cup Series returns for more midweek racing action at 8 pm ET on FS1.