DARLINGTON, S.C. — The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Goodyear 400 on Sunday, April 6, 2025, marking the 128th Cup race at the historic 1.366-mile asphalt oval. With a purse of $11,055,250, the 400.2-mile, 293-lap event kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes, with MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90) providing radio coverage. The race features stages ending at laps 90, 185, and 293, as Darlington celebrates its 75th anniversary (1950-2025).
The NASCAR Xfinity Series joins the action on Saturday, April 5, with the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at 3:30 p.m. ET on CW, offering a $1,651,939 purse over 200.8 miles (147 laps). Stages conclude at laps 45, 90, and 147. Practice and qualifying for both series occur Saturday, with Xfinity at 10 a.m. ET on the CW App and Cup at 12:30 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series follows next week with the Weather Guard Truck Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Friday, April 11, a 133.25-mile (250-lap) event on the 0.533-mile concrete oval, airing at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1 with a $782,900 purse.
Darlington’s Cup storylines highlight its competitive history. Toyota has claimed the pole in the last four races, nearing Mercury’s record of five straight from 1975-1977. Seven active pole winners—Joey Logano (2), Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, William Byron, Denny Hamlin, and Brad Keselowski—compete this weekend, with Logano leading the pack. Hamlin, fresh off a Martinsville win, tops active drivers with four Darlington victories, 13 top fives, and an 8.2 average finish. The last nine races here had different winners, a streak that could extend to 10, nearing the track’s record of 11 from 2006-2016.
In the Xfinity Series, the 70th Darlington race features past winners Justin Allgaier (3), Chase Elliott, Christopher Bell, and Brandon Jones. Allgaier’s eight straight top-10s approach Mark Martin’s record, while Austin Hill’s recent Martinsville win—Richard Childress Racing’s 100th in the series—adds momentum. Cup drivers Elliott, Bell, and Ross Chastain join the field. The Truck Series at Bristol will see Daniel Hemric chase the Triple Truck Challenge bonus after his Martinsville victory, with Corey Heim leading the standings by 20 points over Ty Majeski.
Darlington’s weekend includes special honors. The Wood Brothers Racing family, marking their 75th anniversary, will serve as Grand Marshals for the Goodyear 400, while NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards waves the green flag as honorary starter. Greg Biffle drives the pace car, and defending winner Brad Keselowski visits McLeod Hospital’s children’s wing on April 3 before meeting fans at the track. Known as the “Lady in Black,” Darlington’s egg-shaped design—born in 1949 when Harold Brasington preserved a minnow pond—remains a test for drivers, per NASCAR.com.
