As drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series shift into gear for the heart-thumping playoffs, they can heave a sigh of relief: Darlington Raceway has weathered recent storms and is geared up for the clear weekend. After quite a few races in July and August were marred by inclement weather, fans and teams might find this a glimmer of hope. But be warned: Darlington, a.k.a. The Lady in Black, isn’t exactly a refuge—it’s a beast not easily tamed.

This update comes as a much-needed respite for NASCAR, which recently witnessed harrowing crashes at Daytona—including Ryan Preece‘s car literally going for a toss in the air. But remember: in NASCAR, safety is not a guarantee, and Darlington’s abrasive track is another challenge lying in wait. While Darlington may be ready to host the race, the question looms: Are the drivers prepared for Darlington?

Playoffs commence at “The Track Too Tough to Tame”

Darlington’s 1.3-mile egg-shaped track is notorious for its old, abrasive surface that tears rubber off tires in a matter of laps. This means frequent pitting and a lot of tactical decisions to be made. The track’s unique layout adds yet another layer of complexity. One turn is broad and sweeping, but the next is tight and narrow, leaving no room for error.

Despite nature’s recent wrath that alerted the sports world, Darlington has emerged almost unscathed. FOX News reporter Bob Pockrass confirmed via Twitter, “Darlington reports the track handled the storm well and is ready to go this weekend.”

Last week’s Daytona race showcased the brutal and unpredictable nature of the sport, with Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney crashing into the wall and Stewart-Haas Racing‘s Ryan Preece experiencing the airborne accident, the sport’s risks are not for the faint-hearted. As we turn the page on the regular season, drivers entering Darlington’s battleground must navigate the track without any DNFs to ensure they progress to the next round. Can they navigate this maze without faltering? One wrong move at Darlington, and they could be spinning their playoff dreams goodbye.

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Everyone—from veterans to rookies—will grapple with this high-stakes environment as the playoffs kick off. But who is the fan favorite currently?

NASCAR playoff pressure is on: Who will rise to the challenge at Darlington?

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As the engines warm up for Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500, the statistics tilt in favor of the top seeds. Since the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs adopted its current format in 2017, no driver seeded seventh or better has been eliminated in Round 1. Despite this, even the best aren’t safe from Darlington’s notorious pitfalls. Case in point: Martin Truex Jr, this week’s favorite, whose track record at “The Lady in Black” has been anything but smooth.

MTJ, despite being a fan-favorite and statistically strong player, hasn’t had the best relationship with Darlington Raceway. Specifically, in the Next Gen car, the RFK Racing co-owner has failed to finish all three of his races at Darlington—twice due to accidents and once because of a water pump failure. It’s a jarring statistic that defies his otherwise strong performance. Can he break the Darlington curse that’s been haunting him?

Round 1 is no joke. The grueling race at Darlington demands not just speed but extraordinary concentration. According to Racing Insights, the average time for the four Darlington playoff races stands at a daunting four hours and one minute. That’s four hours of wear and tear on equipment and driver focus. However, statistics offer a glimmer of hope. If you’re entering the playoffs seeded seventh or better, history says you’ll likely avoid elimination in this round. Will history favor the brave this Sunday, or will Darlington rewrite the narrative?

READ MORE: With Darlington’s Violent History, Drivers’ Ability to “Tame” the Track Will Be Crucial

In a sport where fractions of a second can make or break careers, this weekend’s Cook Out Southern 500 promises to be a spectacle where legends can be made and dreams can shatter. Will Truex finally tame “The Lady in Black,” or will Darlington again claim its due?