USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) leads NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and the field into turn one during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) leads NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and the field into turn one during the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
After the Atlanta Motor Speedway announced two NASCAR Cup Series on the 2021 calendar, the Darlington Raceway is set to host two Cup Series race weekends as well next season.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Darlington will host Cup races on May 9th and September 5th, which is the Labor Day weekend. The track has only announced the Cup schedule so far. The Xfinity Series and Truck Series schedules will be gradually released. The May 9th race will fall on the occasion of Mother’s Day.
It is the first time in 17 years that Darlington would host Cup Series races on separate weekends.
While it is not yet official, many believe that Darlington’s second race is in place of the Michigan International Speedway. Michigan could host just one Cup race next year.
IT'S 👏 HAPPENING 👏
Who's ready for twice the fun in 2021?
📰: https://t.co/S3tS3X3p9f pic.twitter.com/qYt4KCsn4F
— Darlington Raceway (@TooToughToTame) September 30, 2020
‘Too Tough to Tame’ receives a big boost
Darlington Raceway President Kerry Tharp said on the announcement, “A NASCAR tradition returns as Darlington Raceway will host two NASCAR Cup Series race weekends as part of the 2021 NASCAR schedule.
“We are grateful for NASCAR’s trust in the track Too Tough To Tame to continue to deliver one of the most competitive race experiences and loyal fan bases in the sport.
“Thanks to Governor Henry McMaster and the state of South Carolina for their continued support as NASCAR was the first to bring live team sports back at Darlington in 2020,” he added.
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 6, 2020; Darlington, South Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliott (9) and Martin Truex Jr. (19) lead the field to restart the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports | Credit: Reuters
Darlington will host the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs opener
Meanwhile, Darlington again hosts the opening playoff race. No major changes are expected to the schedule for the 2021 Playoffs. The only change would be the shuffling of tracks in the Round of 8.
This year, the Kansas Speedway will host the opening Round of 8 race. The Texas Motor Speedway follows. The final Round of 8 race is at Martinsville Speedway.
Next year, Martinsville would retain its slot. Meanwhile, Texas and Kansas would swap places on the calendar. This year, Darlington hosted three Cup races in all, including the playoff race. This was part of the revised schedule due to COVID-19.
Not announced but it is expected that the Darlington race comes from Michigan, which is expected will have one Cup race (August).
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) September 30, 2020
Darlington further said that it will announce the schedule for its NASCAR Xfinity Series races later. They will also announce the schedule for the renamed NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at a later date.
READ MORE- Kentucky Makes Way for Second Race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in NASCAR Cup Series 2021
