Which NASCAR Drivers Have What It Takes for Darlington?
Let’s Get a Head Start on the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will begin on September 3rd and Darlington Raceway will be the first stop on the postseason slate. And although the playoffs are down the road just a bit, what we can do is project the best drivers at Darlington, assuming they make the playoff cut.
William Byron – Chevrolet
The last time NASCAR landed at Darlington, William Byron, and his car 24 Chevy outdueled all the others in a race that saw 19 lead changes and eight different leaders on May 14th. When the checkered flag was waved, it was Byron who crossed first by fending off Kevin Harvick in overtime to claim the victory.
WILLIAM BYRON WINS AT DARLINGTON! #NASCARThrowback pic.twitter.com/hcag4xYpFI
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 14, 2023
Let’s not forget that Byron is also tied for first in victories with three and has seven top-five finishes this year. He’s tough out on any track, but at Darlington Speedway he could be destined to be a two-time winner this season.
Denny Hamlin – Toyota
The 42-year-old veteran of Joe Gibbs Racing and winner of 49 NASCAR Cup Series races is currently seventh in the Cup Series standings and placed 12th at Darlington in May. However, Hamlin brings a wealth of experience and has the second-highest rating at The Track Too Tough to Tame since 2020.
Hamlin also holds the record at Darlington for the fastest lap in history, in which he blistered the oval in 28.332 seconds. According to PointSpreads.com, Hamlin is likely to be one of the favorites on September 3rd for those who like to bet on NASCAR.
A great battle at @kansasspeedway between @dennyhamlin and @KyleLarsonRacin! pic.twitter.com/nZSILJgPdA
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) June 13, 2023
Martin Truex Jr. – Toyota
Here we have another Joe Gibbs Racing team member who is 42, just like his teammate Denny Hamlin. Truex dominated at Darlington in May, first as the polesitter and then leading for 145 laps before getting into trouble in a multi-car crash that saw him tumble to 31st when the day was done.
Truex has the highest rating at Darlington over the past three years and has led 682 laps in his Darlington races over that span, blowing away all other drivers in that category, with the nearest being Denny Hamlin at 239. He is also the nascar points leader in the Cup Series as of this writing.
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Kevin Harvick – Ford
The 47-year-old Harvick will hang up his helmet after this year but a win at Darlington in September would be another crowning achievement for the future Hall of Famer. Earlier this year at Darlington, Harvick battled the eventual winner, William Byron, tooth and nail, but came up short down the stretch and ended in second place.
We are witnessing history. @KevinHarvick | #4EVER pic.twitter.com/oCFZwSMfZD
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 11, 2023
We should also point out that Harvick is no stranger to the winner’s circle at The Lady in Black, having won in 2014 and twice in 2020 and nearly taking home the trophy in May. He also has the most trips around the South Carolina oval having participated in 31 Darlington NASCAR races over his 22-year career, and his 6.9 average finish at Darlington since 2020 is tops in that category.
Kyle Busch – Chevrolet
The winner of the 2015 and 2019 Cup Series is tied with William Byron for most victories this season with three and is within striking distance of the Cup Series standings leader, Martin Truex Jr. In May, Busch copped a seventh-place finish and has only one victory at Darlington over his storied career, way back in 2008.
63 trips to Victory Lane … and counting 😏@KyleBusch | @RCRracing pic.twitter.com/E8lziFqPNo
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 5, 2023
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Perhaps Busch described Darlington Raceway the best when he said, “Darlington is a tough track. They call it the ‘Lady in Black’ for a reason. It seems like whether the pavement is worn out like it is now, it seems slick, or if it’s a brand-new racetrack, the pavement still seems slick. That really kind of lends itself to some tough racing there. Being on the inside of guys and having a track that is only two lanes wide with the cars going around there at 170 or 180 mph, it makes it difficult for us.”
There was no denying @KyleBusch!
He takes command at @WWTRaceway! pic.twitter.com/juyaLxCXzL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 5, 2023
Who Is The Best Driver at Darlington?
In a nutshell, the anticipation surrounding the drivers expected to lead the pack, which include William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch, can be cut with a knife.
William Byron, who had previously claimed victory at Darlington in his Chevrolet. Denny Hamlin is also predicted to give a strong performance, having set the record for the fastest lap in Darlington’s history. Martin Truex Jr. having demonstrated his prowess at Darlington in the past, and Kevin Harvick, who will be retiring after this season, secured second place at Darlington previously and has also had two prior victories at this venue. Lastly, Kyle Busch, who won the Cup Series in 2015 and 2019, is also expected to shine. He is currently tied with Byron for the most victories this season and is closely following Martin Truex Jr. in the standings.
Despite the challenging nature of the Darlington track, these five drivers are predicted to outperform their competitors in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Author: Sin City Sniper
Author: Sin City SniperBusting bookmakers and taking their money is his greatest joy in life. He’s been around the block more than once, knows the players both on and off the field of battle, and uses his experience to serve the bookies a heaping plate of humble pie washed down by a warm glass of their salty tears. You can find him in any number of Vegas books, sniping weak lines and getting paid to do it
The opinions and view here expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Point Spreads or any of its affiliates. Point Spreads is not responsible and does not verify for accuracy any of the articles and content pieces included herein; moreover, besides being solely the opinion or views of the authors, these content pieces are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, anyone or anything.
