NASCAR Cup Series 2020 8 2020-05-17 2020-05-17 https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/thumb/c3nf8l1589636418.jpg https://r2.thesportsdb.com/images/media/event/poster/f59sm31589801206.jpg The Real Heroes 400 marks the 116th Cup race hosted by Darlington Raceway in the series’ history. Sunday’s race will be the first of a two race event at the historical speedway. The 1.33-mile oval located in Darlington, South Carolina has an asphalt racing surface with 25 degrees of banking in turns 1 and 2, and 23 degrees of banking in turns 3 and 4. With 3 degrees on the frontstretch and 2 degrees on the backstretch, this track has unique characteristics that require drivers to race against the wall. As a result, drivers will earn their “Darlington Stripes” from grazing the wall through the infamous turns. The track first opened in 1950, the Cup Series held its inaugural race then and Johnny Mantz won. The Real Heroes 400 was the first on-track activity in nearly two months after NASCAR suspended competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans in the grandstands, temperature checks at track, a limit on number of team members and of course, social distancing. Harvick’s 2.154-second victory over Alex Bowman was his first of the season and extends his points lead in the standings to 28 points over Bowman. His only previous win at Darlington came from pole position in 2014, the same year Harvick went on to win the series championship. Sunday’s victory was the 50th win for the Stewart-Haas Racing veteran, tying him with NASCAR Hall of Famers Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett on the NASCAR Cup Series all-time wins list. Bowman, Kurt Busch, Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin followed Harvick’s No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford to the finish line. 680064