NASCAR: Are the ‘big three’ vulnerable at Darlington Raceway?

Heading into the 25th race of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, non-“big three” drivers have a chance to do something that has not yet been done this year.

It is no secret that the “big three” have dominated the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season so far. These three drivers, Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kevin Harvick, Joe Gibbs Racing’s Kyle Busch and Furniture Row Racing’s Martin Truex Jr., have combined to secure victories in 17 of the 24 races that have been contested so far this season.

However, two of the last three Cup Series have won by non-“big three” drivers. This is something that had not been the case at all so far this season until now, as at least two victories by “big three” drivers had separated the victories by non-“big three” that had take place throughout the season until Stewart-Haas Racing’s Kurt Busch won the race at Bristol Motor Speedway two weekends ago on Saturday, August 18.

Only Harvick’s victory at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, August 12 separated Kurt Busch’s victory at Bristol Motor Speedway from the victory by Hendrick Motorsports’ Chase Elliott at Watkins Glen International on Sunday, August 5.

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Could this mean that more drivers aside of Harvick, Kyle Busch and Truex Jr. are emerging as true championship contenders? 

This Sunday evening’s race, the Bojangles’ Southern 500, at Darlington Raceway may provide an answer to this question.

A win by anybody other than Harvick, Kyle Busch or Truex Jr. in this race would mean that non-“big three” drivers will have won two races in a row and three of the last four races, two things that have not yet happened at any point in the 2018 season.

While a non-“big three” driver or non-“big three” drivers winning two races in a row or three of four races does not seem like a huge deal, the fact that it has not yet happened 24 races into this season shows that if it does happen, it will be even more than a huge deal.

With the playoffs approaching since only two races, this Sunday’s race at Darlington Raceway and next Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, remain on the regular season schedule, another win by a non-“big three” driver could shift the momentum heading into the 10-race postseason, which is something that pretty everybody except Harvick, Kyle Busch and Truex Jr. would love to see.

Will the winner of this weekend’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway be one of the “big three”, or will a non-“big three” driver secure another victory? Tune in to NBC Sports Network at 6:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 2 for the live broadcast of the action from the 25th race of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season.