Sprint Cup S Darlington Week Stripes Qualifying Chase Put Focus On Track

Here’s what we don’t want to talk about: Confederate flags.

MORE: Darlington memories | Kyle Busch hits the wall | Aric Almirola’s tribute to King Richard | TV times; race coverage 7 p.m. ET Sunday

Saturday’s schedule at “the lady in black,” as Darlington is called, includes qualifying for Sunday’s Southern 500. It’s a legendary race, and this is NASCAR’s only visit to Darlington this season.

And this weekend is something good for stockcar racing. Darlington is back on its traditional Labor Day weekend slot on the schedule. It brings fans closer to NASCAR’s roots, when races were held in small places like Rockingham and North Wilkesboro, Birmingham and Montgomery, and other places not only in the South but across the country.

Richard Petty’s No. 43 in its STP colors. Jeff Gordon back in the Rainbow Warriors scheme for the No. 24. Celebrating NASCAR’s heritage is a good thing.

MORE: Chase standings | Low downforce at Darlington | Darlington odds | Jeff Gordon’s final season

So focus on the track, where Sprint Cup qualifying begins at 1:45 p.m. ET, with television coverage by cable outlet NBC Sports Network.

Confederate flags will be on display, for better or worse. But that’s a sideshow.

The track is where the action is and attention should be. Sunday’s races is one of two remaining before the Chase begins.