Race Week: What’s happening in Darlington
The following are fan-friendly events surrounding the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 and NASCAR XFINITY Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 (Aug. 31-Sept. 1) at Darlington Raceway.
Thursday, Aug. 29: The 15th Annual Race Fest will take place Thursday afternoon, at the Florence Center featuring entertainment and live music.
The fest will kick-off the 15th Annual Hauler Parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. at Darlington Raceway.
Where: Florence Center, 3300 West Radio Dr., Florence
When: 4 to 8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 30: United States Auto Club (USAC) National .25 Series will begin competition in Darlington Friday morning, with the event opening ceremonies taking place at 8 a.m. Competition will run Friday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Saturday (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and Sunday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Where: Retail Reconditioning Lot at Manheim Darlington on Race Track Road
When: 8 a.m.
Who: USAC drivers (boys and girls ages 5 years old and up)
Gates open to the public beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Darlington Raceway on Friday. Practice rounds for both the Bojangles’ Southern 500 and the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 will start at 1:05 p.m. and last for 50 minutes each per each practice.
When: Friday, 1:05 to 4:55 p.m.
Who: MENCS and NXS Drivers
NASCAR and Far Out Toys will be displaying their new toy, NASCAR Adventure Force Crash Racers, at the Darlington Walmart for their Darlington Walmart Kick-off Event Friday evening.
The four-hour event will feature MENCS driver Kyle Busch and NXS driver Noah Gragson, as well as influencers from the famous YouTube group, HobbyKids.
Where: Darlington Walmart, 251 Andover Place, Darlington
When: Friday, 4 to 8 p.m.
Who: Kyle Busch, Noah Gragson, HobbyKids, and the Lady in Black
Saturday, Aug. 31: Gates open to the public beginning at 12 p.m. at Darlington Raceway on Saturday.
Qualifying for the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 begins at 12:30 p.m. and qualifying for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 begins at 2:35 p.m. The NASCAR Xfinity Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 will broadcast live on NBCSN, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 3:30 p.m.
The Darlington Bojangles’ Southern 500 Parade is scheduled to begin approximately at 7 p.m., one hour after the conclusion of the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 race, beginning on the city’s east side at Cashua and Spain streets, continue through the downtown square and end at Fitness World Gym on the west side of town.
NASCAR Hall of Fame brothers Bobby and Terry Labonte will serve as co-Grand Marshals for the parade.
Where: Begin at Cashua and Spain street, Darlington
When: Saturday, 7 to 8 p.m.
Who: Bobby and Terry Labonte will serve as co-Grand Marshals, with appearances by fellow NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Leonard Wood, Ray Evernham, Dale Inman, Waddell Wilson and Ron Hornaday Jr.
Sunday, Sept. 1: Gates open to the public beginning at 1 p.m. at Darlington Raceway on Sunday.
The Visit Myrtle Beach Pre-Race Concert featuring Better Than Ezra will kick off pre-race ceremonies.
When: Sunday, 4:15 p.m. to 5:05 p.m.
Following the Visit Myrtle Beach Pre-Race Concert, the pre-race ceremonies will follow with the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Driver Introductions beginning at 5:20 p.m., including appearances by the 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame Class who will serve as grand marshals.
Pop music icon and South Carolina native Edwin McCain will perform the National Anthem and Edsel Ford will pace the field as the honorary pace car driver.
When: Sunday, 5:20 to 6 p.m.
The 70th running of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 will be broadcast live on NBCSN, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio at 6 p.m.
This will be the 70th running of the Southern 500 and the fifth straight year of the award-winning throwback campaign.