NASCAR heads back to historic Darlington Raceway in South Carolina, for a full three‑day slate of action this weekend.
The Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series are all in play on the iconic 1.366‑mile oval they call ‘The Lady in Black’.
The action starts Friday March 20 and runs through through Sunday March 22 with practice, qualifying and races.
The headline event is Sunday’s Goodyear 400 in Cup Series action, while Saturday has the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The Truck Series kicks things off on Friday night with the Buckle Up South Carolina 200.
We have full schedule information for all three series, plus some tips about how to get the best out of what should be a terrific weekend of action.
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Cup Series Weekend Schedule at Darlington
| Session | Local Time (ET) | CT | PT | TV / Streaming | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice & Qualifying – Saturday, March 21 | 2:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. CT | 11:30 a.m. PT | Prime Video | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Pre‑race coverage – Sunday, March 22 | 11:20 a.m. ET (Press Pass) | 10:20 a.m. CT | 8:20 a.m. PT | Press Pass / FOX platforms | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Goodyear 400 race – Sunday, March 22 | 3:00 p.m. ET | 2:00 p.m. CT | 12:00 p.m. PT | FS1; FOX Deportes (Spanish) | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Post‑race coverage | Following checkered flag | – | – | Press Pass | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
O'Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule at Darlington
| Session | Local Time (ET) | CT | PT | TV / Streaming | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice & Qualifying – Saturday, March 21 | 12:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. CT | 9:00 a.m. PT | The CW App | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (selected coverage) |
| Race – Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200, Saturday, March 21 | 5:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. CT | 2:30 p.m. PT | The CW | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Post‑race coverage | Following checkered flag | – | – | Press Pass / network shoulder programming | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
Truck Series schedule at Darlington
| Session | Local Time (ET) | CT | PT | TV / Streaming | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice – Friday, March 20 | 3:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. CT | 12:30 p.m. PT | FS2 | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (select coverage) |
| Qualifying – Friday, March 20 | 4:35 p.m. ET | 3:35 p.m. CT | 1:35 p.m. PT | FS2 | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Race – Buckle Up South Carolina 200, Friday, March 20 | 7:30 p.m. ET | 6:30 p.m. CT | 4:30 p.m. PT | FS1 | MRN/NRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
| Post‑race coverage | Following checkered flag | – | – | Press Pass | MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio |
NASCAR Darlington weekend FAQs: Tickets, weather, parking and more
How much are tickets for the NASCAR races at Darlington?
Ticket prices vary by day, seat location and series, but typically Friday Truck night is the most affordable, Saturday O’Reilly Auto Parts Series tickets are mid‑range, and Sunday Cup Series tickets are the premium option. You can choose from grandstand seats, infield or trackside hospitality, and multi‑day packages often offer better value than buying individual days. Our advice is to always buy from official sellers to avoid potential markups.
What is the best day to go to Darlington Raceway?
If you want maximum on‑track value, Saturday often delivers the best blend of action and price, it offers O’Reilly Auto Parts Series racing as well as Cup Series practice and qualifying. If you want the full big‑race experience, Sunday’s Cup Series Goodyear 400 is the marquee attraction, with pre‑race ceremonies, packed grandstands and a longer race distance.
What should I bring to a race at Darlington?
We suggest you bring a clear bag or small cooler (within track rules), ear protection, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable clothing and a seat cushion or stadium chair for the grandstands. It also helps to print or save your parking map and schedule, and to carry a portable phone charger so you can keep your digital tickets, scanner apps and timing updates running all day.
How early should I arrive at Darlington on race day?
Three to four hours before the green flag is a nice window for major races. That gives you time to park, clear security, explore the track and find your seat. Plan for heavier traffic Sunday and potentially add an extra hour, especially if you are unfamiliar with local routes or are parking in general‑admission lots.
What is the Darlington weather forecast for this weekend?
The great news is the forecast for March 2026 is looking perfect. Sunny weather on all three days, getting progressively hotter through the weekend. Friday calls for highs of 22C with Saturday heating up to 26C and Sunday at boiling point with 29C. Always pack a light layer for the cooler evening sessions.
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