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Dominate may be a strong word at the track they call “Too tough to tame.” However, some drivers have found ways to succeed at the historic, egg-shaped track. Here is a list of five drivers who have found a way to, somewhat, tame Darlington.
By the Numbers: 10 races; 0 wins; 5 top 5s; 7 top-10s; 9.2 avg. finish
Breakdown: It may be odd to include a guy who has never won at a track on a list like this, but Kyle Larson is an exception. In 10 races at the track, Larson has the second best average finish amongst active drivers. He took three consecutive second place finishes at the track from 2019-2021, and led a race high 284 laps in the 2018 Southern 500 finishing third.
By the Numbers: 21 races; 2 wins; 4 top 5s; 10 top-10s; 12.4 avg. finish; 769 laps led
Breakdown: Darlington is a track that has housed some great Truex moments over the years. While it has been an up and down track to some extent, Truex is always a threat to win at the egg-shaped track. His finest moment came in May of 2021, leading 248 laps en-route to a win.
By the Numbers: 10 races; 2 wins; 5 top-5s; 7 top-10s; 10.7 avg. finish; 132 laps led
Breakdown: In an up and down career for Erik Jones, Darlington has been a great race track for him. With two of his three career wins coming at the track, Jones is always a threat, and seems to have a handle on a track that is typically not kind to young drivers. His finest moment at the track came last season winning in the iconic 43 car for The King.
By the Numbers: 30 races; 3 wins; 13 top-5s; 18 top-10s; 12.8 avg. finish; 813 laps led
Breakdown: Darlington was not a track that Kevin Harvick saw much success at early on in his career, but he has caught on to the South Carolina track. From 2013 until the spring of 2022, he had a 13 race streak at the track without finishing worse than ninth. He also got his three career wins at the track, including leading 238 laps en-route to a win in the 2014 Bojangles Southern 500 in April of 2014.
By the Numbers: 21 races; 4 wins; 12 top-5s; 16 top-10s; 7.5 avg. finish; 792 laps led
Breakdown: No one races Darlington quite like Denny Hamlin. With four career wins, an almost impeccable 7.5 average finish, and eight top two finishes at the track, he not only competes, he wins adn dominates. It’s tough to pick his best moment at the track, but a good place to start could be holding off Kyle Larson for the win in the 2021 Southern 500.
