Darlington Raceway hosts opening races for 2026 NASCAR Chase series

Darlington Raceway prepares to open the 2026 NASCAR Chase for both the Cup Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The South Carolina track, historically nicknamed "The Lady in Black," hosts the Fleetio 200 on Saturday and the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday. Sportswriter Benny Phillips coined the track's famous moniker in a 1965 column, comparing the speedway’s difficulty to the spy Mata Hari. The name also reflects the dark track surface and the black tire marks left by vehicles on the walls during competition. Drivers often accumulate scrapes and paint transfers along the outside barriers, a phenomenon known as the "Darlington Stripe." While the track currently serves as the Chase opener, it will transition back to the regular-season finale in 2027.

• 12:05 AMYahoo Sports — Why Darlington Raceway Got The Name ‘The Lady in Black’