NASCAR heads to Darlington Raceway on a streak of several Cup and Xfinity Series races unaffected by poor weather. So, how will the weather be for this weekend’s doubleheader throwback race?
Darlington has been a staple racing event for the NASCAR National Series since its 1950 opening. The odd egg-shaped track has played host to some of the sport’s most historic and memorable moments.
The track hosted two NASCAR Cup Series weekends from 1960 to 2004 and officially began racing there twice a year in 2021 after a triple-header 2020 season. The Xfinity Series hosted two races a year from 1984 to 2004 and returned with multiple races a year in 2020.
The track is notable for its history, and now, it represents NASCAR history as it plays host to NASCAR’s annual throwback weekend. During throwback weekend, NASCAR teams pay tribute to historic cars, drivers, and paint schemes.
Saturday, April 5: Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 on the CW – 3:30 PM
Before the Race (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 89°F at 3:00 PM
Precipitation: 9% Chance, Rising to a 12% Chance at 3:00 PM
Wind: 7 to 10 mph, Gusts of 15 to 17 mph
During the Race (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 91°F at 5:00 PM
Precipitation: 12% Chance Throughout the Afternoon
Wind: 9 mph, Gusts of 15 to 17 mph
After the Race (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 87°F at 6:00 PM
Precipitation: 12% Chance Throughout the Evening
Wind: 8 to 9 mph, Gusts of 15 mph
Sunday, April 6: Cup Series Goodyear 400 on FS1 – 3:00 PM
Before the Race (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 86°F at 2:00 PM
Precipitation: 19% Chance, Rising to a 35% Chance at 2:00 PM
Wind: 10 to 14 mph, Gusts of 17 to 22 mph
During the Race (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 86°F
Precipitation: 35% Chance Throughout the Afternoon
Wind: 11 to 14 mph, Gusts of 18 to 22 mph
After the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 80°F at 7:00 PM
Precipitation: 48% Chance Throughout the Evening
Wind: 9 to 11 mph, Gusts of 16 to 18 mph
Recent Weather Events at Darlington Raceway: 2020 Toyota 500
Darlington has a solid history of racing in good weather conditions. But, like most tracks, it has a blemish, albeit a rare blemish, on this history. Take the second race at the track in 2020.
When the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down the world, NASCAR was the first sport back in action at Darlington. To compensate for the lack of races, NASCAR booked a double weekend at Darlington for their return.
Kevin Harvick won the first race, a 400-mile outing that went the distance. However, the next day, the second race, the Toyota 500, would not go the distance, as Denny Hamlin was awarded the win after just 311.448 miles due to rain.
Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.
