NBC Sports Announces Coverage of Darlington Raceway's NASCAR Cup Series

NBC Sports Group celebrates Darlington Raceway's THROWBACK WEEKEND of racing, with retro themes, graphics and style from the 1985-89 NASCAR era, integrated throughout 19 hours of trackside coverage from "The Track Too Tough to Tame," in Darlington, South Carolina. Race coverage begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with XFINITY Series racing, and culminates Sunday night at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing.

With only two races remaining before the Playoffs begin, Martin Truex Jr. holds the lead atop the 2017 Cup Series Playoff standings, with 4 wins and 35 playoff-points. Truex Jr. is followed by Kyle Busch (2 wins, 20 playoff-points), Kyle Larson (3 wins, 18 playoff-points), Jimmie Johnson (3 wins, 16 playoff-points), and Brad Keselowski (2 wins, 14 playoff-points). Chase Elliott, Jamie McMurray and Matt Kenseth currently hold the three remaining Playoff spots based on points, but have yet to secure a race win to guarantee their positions.

In addition to live television coverage on NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app - NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs - will provide comprehensive streaming coverage of this weekend's NASCAR action.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACING FROM DARLINGTON - SUNDAY AT 6 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NBC Sports Group kicks off its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage from Darlington Raceway, this Friday at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Final practice begins at 3:30 p.m. ET, followed by NASCAR AMERICA at 5 p.m. ET. Saturday's coverage includes a special 30-minute edition of NASCAR AMERICA at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Sunday's race day coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with NASCAR America, and leads into NBC Sports Group's pre-race show, Countdown to Green, at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Race day coverage starts with a throwback edition of Blake Shelton's NASCAR on NBC "Bringing Back the Sunshine" Open, featuring a collection of racing moments spanning the track's 60 year history. In addition to retro graphics and logos, NASCAR on NBC's on-air team will dress in their best 1980's Miami Vice and Madonna inspired fashion.

Pre-race coverage also includes a special three car on-track preview of Darlington Raceway. Jeff Burton will drive AJ Foyt's 1980 No. 51 Valvoline Oldsmobile, alongside Dale Jarrett driving Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s 1981 No. 2 Wrangler Pontiac, and Mark Martin in his own 1990 No. 6 Folgers Ford.

1985 Southern 500 winner, Bill Elliott will join NASCAR on NBC's pre-race set live to discuss the honor of returning to Darlington to serve as Sunday's pace car driver alongside Richard Petty. Ken Squier will voice a special feature on Dale Earnhardt Sr. and the superstars of the 1980's.

In addition, Rutledge Wood will quiz today's drivers on their 80's knowledge, and showcase some of the best throwback outfits throughout the track. Sunday's coverage will feature footage from Darlington Raceway's special Dale Earnhardt Sr. tribute event, occurring at the track on Saturday evening.

NASCAR Cup Series racing begins at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, and is followed by a live on-site NASCAR Cup Series post-race show. NBCSN wraps up coverage at 11 p.m. ET with Victory Lap, NBC Sports Group's NASCAR post-race show, originating from Stamford, Conn.

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