The Xfinity Series is racing at Darlington Raceway on Saturday, April 5th. One of the most exciting races of the year across all three series, with the rough and worn surface combined with the badass Xfinity cars, puts on one hell of a show. Here is everything you need to know before the action begins.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Sports Clips Help A Hero 200 at Darlington Preview:
NASCAR’s throwback weekend kicks off with the Xfinity Series and the Sports Clips Help A Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway. Reigning Champion Justin Allgaier is looking to defend his 2024 race win and earn his third victory of the year. But with three Cup drivers in the field, can he get it done?
Will tempers flare up at Darlington with how last week’s race ended? I’m sure some grudges are still being held onto because of the chaos we saw.
READ MORE: Austin Hill Wins Xfinity Series Race at Martinsville That Leaves Ugly Stain on Sport
Race Preview:
The Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 is a 200-mile, 147-lap race around the 1.366-mile oval of Darlington Raceway. The stage cautions will come on laps 45 and 90, and the checkered flag on lap 147. The purse money for this race is a total of $1,651,939.
This is not a Dash4Cash race. The next Dash4Cash race will be at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The Track: Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway. The Lady in Black. The Track Too Tough Too Tame. Darlington is one of NASCAR’s oldest, having opened in 1950. Built to bring the excitement of Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the track builder’s hometown, Darlington, South Carolina. It is not a perfect oval with turns 1 and 2 (originally 3 and 4) a larger radius than the other two. That was to accommodate the minnow pond located right outside of the track.
Xfinity started racing at the track in 1982, with Geoff Bodine winning the first race. Mark Martin holds the record for Xfinity wins at Darlington, with eight wins. Justin Allgaier holds the wins record for active drivers with three wins. Ryan Blaney holds the lap record with a 29.19-second lap set in 2019.
Xfinity Series Points Standings:
Here are the current Xfinity Series points standings following Martinsville:
1. Justin Allgaier: 293
2. Sam Mayer: 252
3. Austin Hill: 246
4. Sheldon Creed: 222
5. Jesse Love: 219
6. Sammy Smith: 215
7. Connor Zilisch *: 193
8. Aric Almirola: 186
9. Ryan Sieg: 185
10. Carson Kvapil *: 176
* denotes Rookie
Drivers To Watch:
As previously mentioned, we have some Cup Series racers in the field. Ross Chastain is racing for Junior Motorsports in the #9 Chevrolet. Chase Elliott is racing the Hendrick Motorsports #17 Xfinity car. Lastly, Christopher Bell is in the #19 for Joe Gibbs Racing. Bell is running a throwback paint scheme honoring Rick Ferkel, who gave Bell his first start in a Sprint Car.
It is hard not to pick the Cup drivers to win this race, but you look at the results from the last four races, and three of them were won by Cup Series racers. The only one to win one who isn’t a Cup racer? Justin Allgaier. Look for him to be fast on Saturday alongside the Cup guys.
Ross Chastain is in Junior Motorsports equipment, some of the best in the field. He could be another contender to win.
Bell won the last Xfinity race here back in August 2024. He’s got a special paint scheme and story. You know he wants to put that car in victory lane for Rick Ferkel. Look for Bell to be a fast one on Saturday.
How to Watch The Xfinity Series at Darlington:
The Xfinity Series race day starts on Saturday, April 5th, with practice and qualifying. Practice begins at 10:00 AM Eastern, coverage is on the CW. Qualifying comes up next, beginning at 11:10 AM Eastern on the CW. The NASCAR Xfinity Series race begins at 3:30 PM, the broadcast is on the CW.
Stay connected with Last Word on Motorsports for all the exciting action from Darlington Raceway and NASCAR’s Throwback Weekend.
Featured Image Credit: James Gilbert, Getty Images. 5/11/2024
