Young Guns Elliott, Jones and Suarez Try To Grab First Win At Darlington

Chase Elliott’s father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, won five times in his career at historic Darlington Raceway. Chase would like to add to the family’s history at the South Carolina track by winning Sunday’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 for his first career victory. Elliott is a comfortable 69 points above Clint Bowyer on the cutoff line for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, but can ensure himself a berth with a win. In two career starts at Darlington, Elliott finished 41st (2015) and 10th (2016).

Also hoping to visit Victory Lane for the first time are Toyota drivers Erik Jones and Daniel Suarez. Both virtually need a victory to make the playoffs.

Jones finished a career-best second in the last race at Bristol and placed third the week prior at Michigan. He leads Suarez by four points in a tight Sunoco Rookie of the Year race. The No. 77 Furniture Row Racing driver enters Sunday’s contest riding a streak of 10 consecutive top 10s.

Suarez has never raced at Darlington in the Monster Energy Series, but finished third in both of his XFINITY Series starts there. He claims one top five and eight top 10s this season.