NASCAR Sprint Cup Bojangles’ Southern 500 TV schedule

Here is your complete guide to the Sprint Cup television schedule from practice through qualifying and the race on Sunday.

The Sprint Cup Series shifts to Darlington Raceway this weekend for the Bojangles’ Southern 500, where drivers will have a date with “The Lady in Black” in the next to last race of the 2016 regular season. It is a track that can make or break the hopes of those on the bubble of making the Chase and the Field of 16 when the playoffs kick off at Chicagoland Speedway on Sept. 18.

The 1.366 mile paved, somewhat egg-shaped track located just outside Darlington, SC has been the home of NASCAR races since it opened in 1950 and seats an estimated 58,000 rabid racing fans for the traditional Labor Day weekend event.

Aric Almirola (No. 43 Ford) set the track record in qualifying on April 11, 2014 with a time of 26.705 (181.918 mph) while Carl Edwards (No. 19 Toyota) is the defending champion. In the spring race in 2013, Matt Kenseth set the race record with a speed of 141.383 mph.

Next: Ranking Every NASCAR Track

Jeff Gordon will once again be behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevy in place of Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is out with concussion-like symptoms, and will add to his record 35 starts at “The Track Too Tough to Tame” when he takes the green flag on Sunday. Richard Petty holds the all-time record for starts with 65. Gordon also leads all active drivers with seven wins at the track. Jimmie Johnson is a distant second with three.

Darlington had a repave in 2008 which solidified its place on the NASCAR schedule, although there is just one race a year at the famous speedway.

Starting upfront is almost as important as staying out of a big crash. In the 112 races held at the track, 20 winners have come from the pole. Taking the green from second (17 wins), third (13), fourth (8) and fifth (11) has proved to be successful as well.

Here is the television schedule for this weekend. Please note that the race will be carried by NBC:

FRIDAY
1:30 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice (NBC Sports Network)
3:30 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series final practice (NBCSN)

SATURDAY
1:30 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying (NBCSN)

SUNDAY
5:30 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Countdown to Green (NBC)
6:00 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 (NBC)
11:00 p.m. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Post-Race Show (NBCSN)