Throwback weekend. The best weekend in Nascar other than opening week at Daytona. As one of Nascar’s oldest tracks, Darlington is one of the most  treasured in Nascar. for more than 60 years Nascar has raced here, and now we come back for the second annual throwback weekend, where everything is throwback, from hairstyles, to food, to paint schemes.

Darlington has had a variety of victors over the years, and the number is growing. But there is one driver who has never won here, even though he has been close. Tony Stewart is making his final start at Darlington, and the Lady in Black continues to taunt him. He’s been close, but never actually won. Now, he tries one more time to win at Darlington. Stewart’s teammate’s  won here in 2014, and he has been strong here as of late. Stewart’s other teammates, Danica Patrick and Kurt Busch, have no victories here.

Hendrick Motorsports has won here many times, and it would love to add another to it’s tally. Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon each have multiple wins here, and both are more than capable of getting another. Kasey Kahne has had success here before, and he comes into this race in a must win situation. But it’s the Hendrick rookie who may be the team’s best shot at a win. In his first race at Darlington in the Xfinity Series, he won in an amazing run in the final laps. He can win here, and he wants it. So watch Hendrick.

Joe Gibbs Racing has won two of the past three races at Darlington, and all four of it’s driver’s have won at Darlington. All four are capable  of winning, but they’re coming off a lackluster weekend at Michigan. The question is can they rebound? Or is JGR losing steam?

After a victory last weekend, Kyle Larson now finds himself in the Chase for the first times. Also, for the first time in his career, he comes to Darlington not needing a win. Which just makes it easier to win. Larson has been good here, and he could get back to back victories. Don’t count out Jamie McMurray either. He’s been decent, andhe just needs to run well to maintain his Chase spot.

Team Penske drivers Joey Logano and Brad Keslowski have never won at The Lady in Black. They’ve been decent here, but aren’t exactly favorites. Ryan Blaney, on the other hand, may be a threat. Blaney in essence needs a win to get in the Chase, and he’s shown enough speed to get that win. But he needs it now. Can he get it?

Don’t leave out Richard Childress Racing. While none of the three RCR drivers are major contenders for the win, both Austin Dillon and Ryan Newman are battling hard for every point they can get, as both are on the Chase bubble.

So down to business, who wins? Well, I see three drivers in particular. Jeff Gordon is making what could be his final start here, and the 88 car has been very fast. Chase Elliot is looking for his first career win, and he is fast. Darlington could be the place he gets his first win. and last but not least, Tony Stewart. Stewart’s been good lately, and he want’s to win Darlington. Andy one of these three could win, but there is no telling who wins until the checkered flag flies. Looking forward to racing, and seeing throwback schemes flying around Darlington on Labor Day weekend.

P.S. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is officially out of the 88 car for the rest of the season. He should return from his concussion in 2017.