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2025 NASCAR Cup Series Entry List & Darlington Preview: Throwback Weekend
about 1 year agoUS
Get ready for high-octane action as the NASCAR Cup Series heads to the challenging Darlington Raceway for the eighth race of the 2025 season! This event marks the fan-favorite "Throwback Weekend," where teams often run special paint schemes honoring NASCAR history. The race, known as the Goodyear 400, is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FS1. This article, compiled by Yanuki using the latest trends and data, breaks down the full entry list and highlights key drivers and team stats heading into the weekend.
Key Insights
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Full Field: 37 drivers are set to compete in the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.
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Hendrick Dominance: Hendrick Motorsports enters the weekend as the all-time leader at Darlington in wins (16), top-fives (57), top-tens (95), and laps led (4,016).
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Larson Looms Large: Kyle Larson (#5) has impressive stats at Darlington, leading the most laps among active drivers (1,048) and boasting a strong average finish (10.8).
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Byron's Next Gen Success: William Byron (#24) has excelled at Darlington in the Next Gen era (since 2022), achieving a series-leading average finish of 10.3, including one win.
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Throwback Weekend: The event celebrates NASCAR's history, adding extra excitement for fans.
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Why this matters: Darlington, "The Track Too Tough to Tame," is a unique challenge. Understanding which drivers and teams perform well here, especially historically dominant ones like Hendrick Motorsports, provides crucial context for anticipating race outcomes and appreciating the skill required.
In-Depth Analysis
Darlington Raceway's unique egg shape and abrasive surface make it one of the most demanding tracks on the NASCAR circuit. Success here requires precision, tire management, and often, a bit of luck.
Hendrick Motorsports has consistently found the formula for success at Darlington. Kyle Larson, despite only one win, has frequently run near the front, indicated by his high lap count led and seven top-five finishes in 14 starts. William Byron has adapted quickly to the track in the newer Next Gen car, securing a win and consistent top-10 results. Teammates Chase Elliott (#9) and Alex Bowman (#48) also have solid track records, with Elliott recording four straight top-12s and Bowman grabbing a top-10 in the previous spring race.
The full entry list features a mix of veterans and rising stars, all vying to conquer the "Lady in Black." Keep an eye on drivers like Denny Hamlin (#11), Kyle Busch (#8), Joey Logano (#22), and defending series champion Ryan Blaney (#12), who always bring experience and speed to challenging tracks.
2025 Goodyear 400 Entry List:
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#1 Ross Chastain
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#2 Austin Cindric
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#3 Austin Dillon
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#4 Noah Gragson
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#5 Kyle Larson
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#6 Brad Keselowski
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#7 Justin Haley
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#8 Kyle Busch
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#9 Chase Elliott
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#10 Ty Dillon
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#11 Denny Hamlin
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#12 Ryan Blaney
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#16 AJ Allmendinger
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#17 Chris Buescher
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#19 Chase Briscoe
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#20 Christopher Bell
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#21 Josh Berry
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#22 Joey Logano
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#23 Bubba Wallace
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#24 William Byron
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#34 Todd Gilliland
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#35 Riley Herbst
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#38 Zane Smith
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#41 Cole Custer
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#42 John Hunter Nemechek
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#43 Erik Jones
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#44 JJ Yeley
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#45 Tyler Reddick
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#47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
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#48 Alex Bowman
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#51 Cody Ware
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#54 Ty Gibbs
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#60 Ryan Preece
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#71 Michael McDowell
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#77 Carson Hocevar
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#88 Shane van Gisbergen
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#99 Daniel Suarez
FAQs
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Q: When is the NASCAR race at Darlington?
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A: The NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 is on Sunday, with the broadcast starting at 3 p.m. ET.
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Q: What channel is the Darlington race on?
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A: The race will be broadcast on FS1.
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Q: Why is Darlington called "The Track Too Tough to Tame"?
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A: Its unique, asymmetrical shape and challenging corners make it extremely difficult for drivers to master, leading to frequent contact with the wall (earning "Darlington stripes").
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Q: Which team has the most wins at Darlington?
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A: Hendrick Motorsports holds the record with 16 Cup Series wins at Darlington.
Key Takeaways
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Darlington presents a major challenge, favoring experienced drivers and teams with strong track records like Hendrick Motorsports.
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Keep an eye on Kyle Larson and William Byron, who have shown consistent speed and success at this track.
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Enjoy the "Throwback Weekend" aspect, celebrating NASCAR's rich history alongside the on-track action.
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Tune in Sunday on FS1 to see who conquers the "Lady in Black."
Discussion
Who do you think will master Darlington this weekend? Will Hendrick Motorsports continue their dominance, or will another driver tame the track? Let us know your predictions!
*Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!*
Sources & References
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Hendrick Motorsports: NASCAR driver averages at Darlington ``
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NASCAR.com: Official News & Information ``
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