Throwback Weekend
A trip to Darlington Raceway means it’s time for a throwback weekend in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Every year teams and sponsors come together to recreate tribute paint schemes to cars from the past. With 2023 being Kevin Harvick‘s final Cup Series season, a few teams are going with Harvick throwbacks including his former team, Richard Childress Racing.
When old school meets new school. #NASCARThrowback@sheldoncreed | @WhelenMTRS | @WhelenEng pic.twitter.com/8lEd2AjXNJ
— RCR (@RCRracing) May 9, 2023
Then ➡️ Now@BennettFamilyCo | #Drive4Bennett | #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/V1PU5GnLXG
— RCR (@RCRracing) May 9, 2023
Blaine Perkins, who returns for the first time since his wild ride at Talladega, will also be running a Harvick throwback scheme.
Excited to be back in the car this weekend…just in time for a throwback to my hometown hero! @KevinHarvick #PayDay pic.twitter.com/LswYk9n0zK
— Blaine Perkins (@BlainePerkins21) May 10, 2023
Dash 4 Cash
The final Dash 4 Cash race of 2023 saw Cole Custer winning the $100,000 check for the second week in a row. Custer ran solid and finished 7th, which was enough to beat out Parker Kligerman, Sheldon Creed, and Jeb Burton. Kligerman crashed early after contact with Corey Heim which he was not too happy about.
"We're done. What an idiot."
Parker Kligerman is a little frustrated with Corey Heim. https://t.co/5s9D4mPQH0 pic.twitter.com/jvcpRxGbHO
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 29, 2023
Creed’s team tried to stretch their fuel mileage at the end of the race to steal a win but eventually had to pit and finished 11th with Burton 18th. Custer, being the only driver able to win the Dash 4 Cash multiple times, ends up going home with an extra $200,000. Justin Allgaier and John Hunter Nemechek won $100,000 each for splitting the other two Dash 4 Cash races.
The Track
Darlington Raceway is a truly unique, one-of-a-kind racetrack. Turns 1 and 2 are completely different from 3 and 4. When the track was built there was a deal in place to not disturb land owner Sherman Ramsay’s minnow pond. Because of that Turns 3 and 4 are a lot tighter, making it a nightmare for teams to find a setup balanced for both ends of the racetrack. On top of that, the racing surface is one of the most abrasive there is on the schedule. With Xfinity Series teams on a limited number of new tires, the decision on when to change them is massive. Darlington is definitely one of the toughest tracks on the schedule and one where winning means a bit more.
Prediction
The end of the Dash 4 Cash series means the return of Cup Series drivers to the entry list this weekend. Kyle Larson and Ty Dillon will be joining Xfinity Series regulars when they hit the track in Darlington. Both have a good chance to score their first win at the famous track. That said I’m sticking with my pick from Dover, Cole Custer. Custer had a strong car at Dover before sliding back to finish 7th. Darlington is another track where Custer went to victory lane when he last drove as an Xfinity Series regular. Darlington also tends to come down to a late-race restart, a scenario where Custer earned his only Cup Series victory. Expect this race to come down to some wild, late race restarts and Cole Custer will come out on top.
How To Watch: Shriners Children’s 200 (All times EST)
- Practice/Qualifying: Friday, May 12, 5:05 p.m. on FS1
- Shriners Children’s 200: Saturday, May 13, 1:30 p.m. on FOX
