Finally, after more than two months off, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NASCAR Cup Series returns with Sunday’s The Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway.
Although we will be treated to a bit of normalcy in a world that is craving anything normal these days, this is anything but a normal race. NASCAR has scrapped practice and qualifying for this race, and many more races that will be coming up in the near future. Instead, the field starting lineup was determined by way of a randomized drawing.
Brad Keselowski will roll from the pole position as he snagged the lucky No. 1 in the drawing. This will not count as an official Busch Pole Award for Keselowski, and will not lock him into next season’s Busch Clash at Daytona.
The random draw starting lineup should lend the race to being quite unpredictable, as we have no idea who has the fastest car or where they are located in the field.
In addition to being NASCAR’s first race in more than two months, this will mark Ryan Newman’s first race since suffering injuries in the season-opening Daytona 500. Newman has been granted a medical waiver in his chase for a 2020 Playoffs berth.
Additionally, this will be Matt Kenseth’s first NASCAR race in two seasons. The 48-year old was hired to drive Chip Ganassi’s No. 42 car after Kyle Larson was fired for uttering a racial slur during an iRacing event during the stoppage in real racing.
Now let’s get to the important stuff you need to know about Sunday’s race.
How to Watch
Pre-Race starts at 3:00 PM ET on FOX
Race starts at 3:30 PM ET on FOX
If you prefer to stream the pre-race and race, they will also be available on the FOX Sports Go app.
Race Info
Series: NASCAR Cup Series
Race No. 5 of 36 in the 2020 season
Track: Darlington Raceway
Track Size: 1.366-mile
Laps: 293 (Stage 1 ends lap 90, Stage 2 ends lap 185, Race ends lap 293)
Distance: 400.2 miles
