DARLINGTON, S.C. — Three formidable NASCAR Cup Series drivers are entered in Saturday’s Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help a Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway, and that may spell bad news for NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series regulars.
Christopher Bell won the 2024 fall race at the 1.366-mile track, beating Cole Custer by 0.351 seconds in that event. Bell will be driving the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota on Saturday.
Ross Chastain first gained national notice in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Darlington, and he’ll be driving the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet.
Kyle Larson, a winner of the spring race at the Lady in Black in 2023, will compete for the second straight week in the No. 88 JR Motorsports Camaro. Larson won last Saturday’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and he’ll be substituting for an injured Alex Bowman.
“I wish Alex was able to be in this seat this weekend,” Larson said of his Hendrick Motorsports teammate. “We are all pulling for a speedy recovery. Darlington is one of the toughest tracks we go to because it demands so much focus every lap. The place has so much history and character, and you’ve got to be willing to run right up against the wall to be fast.
“Coming off the win in Las Vegas with this No. 88 team definitely gives us some momentum, and I’m excited to get back with JRM and HendrickCars.com this weekend. Hopefully, we can unload with speed and put ourselves in position to fight for another strong run.”
Larson may get stiff competition from JRM teammate Justin Allgaier, who leads active full-time drivers in the series with three Darlington victories. All three of Allgaier’s wins have come in the last nine races there, the most recent in the spring race of 2024.
“I have always loved going to Darlington,” said Allgaier, who is seeking a record 10th straight top 10 at the Lady in Black. “It’s such a unique track that has really fit my driving style. JR Motorsports has always had really strong cars here, and I know that (crew chief) Andrew (Overstreet) will give me another great BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet again this weekend.
“Hopefully we can keep this positive momentum going from the last few weeks, keep our car clean and be up front in the end.”
Allgaier won at Phoenix Raceway on March 7 and finished fourth last weekend at Las Vegas. JRM drivers have won the last three O’Reilly races, at Circuit of the Americas, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
Brandon Jones of Joe Gibbs Racing is the defending winner of the race. Reigning series champion Jesse Love has finished in the top 10 in all five races this season.
