There is no track like the one located in South Carolina.  The inability to bring notes from another race track to make running here any easier is nonexistant.

The Darlington Raceway has been the most unique, and possibly the most challenging for NASCAR for it's entire existance.  From the moment it was built, when the landowner told workers to not disturb his pond, it has become an animal all it's own.

Drivers first began racing on the low part of the track, what has now become the apron.  As they moved up the track, drivers realized the grip was up top.  Now, the prefered line is against the wall.  Hence bringing on what is now the infamous "Darlington Stripe."

There will be plenty of black marks on the outside walls come Saturday night.  The walls will get their first victims in the first practice session, as the "Lady In Black" begins her quest to find the latest victims.

But, who is going to survive and complete the 500-mile run to victory at the track "Too Tough To Tame?"  Here's who the writers have chosen this week to win the SHOWTIME Southern 500:

 

Misan Ayuka (SB Nation):  Jamie McMurray

I am fresh off my first win of 2011 when I picked Kyle Busch to win atRichmond.  I look to make it two in a row with Jamie Mac's help.  Inten starts McMurray has three top fives, four top tens, 150 laps lead,one pole which is the track recrod, and an average finish 15.00.

McMurray led from the pole here last year, leading 71 laps andfinishing second.  McMurray has yet to have a clean race andDarlington, Dover and Charolotte will be opportunity races for him togain points.

 

James Broomhead (The Checkered Flag):  Carl Edwards

No commentary available.

 

Kelly Crandall (Speedway Media):  Kyle Busch

Had it narrowed down to three drivers: Busch, Denny Hamlin and Kasey Kahne.  Ironically the top three finishers from Richmond. Busch still has all the momentum and confidence heading into Darlington where he's won before and just seems to have things going his way.

The other two have suffered their share of problems and I'm not sure they've got them all sorted out to put together a whole race.

 

Summer Dreyer (Next Time By):  Jeff Gordon

Since his win at Phoenix earlier this year, Gordon hasn't had as many bright spots as some thought he might.  However, Darlington would be a great place for him to get his second win of the season, winning seven previous races there including three in a row from 1995-1996.

Maybe Gordon can help me get out of the basement this weekend.

 

Billy Fellin (Richmond Times-Dispatch):  Jeff Gordon

Seven-time winner at the Lady in Black? Last five races all top-five's, including one of those wins? Yes, please.

 

Michael Hirshbein (Fan Vs. Fan):  Kyle Busch

No commentary available.

 

Christopher Leone (On Pit Row):  Kyle Busch

After watching him at richmond, he's got the momentum.

 

Kara Martin (Speedway Media):  Jeff Gordon

No rhyme or reason, I'm just going with the No. 24.

 

Ryan O'Hara (Speedway Media):  Jeff Gordon

I know I picked him last week because of last year's performance and that epically failed, but I have to go with Gordon again this weekend.

He's won here seven times and he dominated the race last year if not for a pit road error.

 

Dustin Parks (All About Horsepower):  Kyle Busch

I debated all week if I should go with statistics and pick the No. 24 or if I should go with momentum and pick the No. 18.  Eventually, what allowed me to pick Rowdy was simply because of the track.

No bones about it, this is my favorite track on the circuit.  What other track do you know that has the prefered and fast line right against the wall?  That fits Kyle Busch perfectly because he can handle a car like no other driver on the tour.  He won here in 2008.  At the end of the night, his silver car was scratched, torn and worn out on the right side, but it was victorious.

He dominated Richmond, and I think he can tame Darlington on Saturday.

 

Sal Sigala Jr. (3 Wide and 1 To Go):  Jeff Gordon

Even though Gordon has been having his share of bad racing luck. this could be the race where he turns it around and gets his second win of the season.

So far Gordon is the only driver with a win who is outside the Chase, and with the new point system winning races may his best chance of getting in.

 

Rob Tiongson (The Podium Finish):  Jeff Gordon

Aside from the greats like Petty, Pearson, and Earnhardt, nobody has mastered Darlington quite like Jeff Gordon. He's got seven wins at this facility.

While his intermediate track program may be a bit off, this is NO ordinary intermediate track. I look for the No. 24 team to be fast off the truck and tough to beat come Saturday night.

 

Standings following Richmond:

Sal Sigala Jr. (334) Kyle Busch WON (2)

Kelly Crandall (331) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Billy Fellin (304) Kyle Busch WON (2)

Kara Martin (292) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Christopher Leone (288) Kyle Busch WON (2)

Misan Ayuka (283) Kyle Busch WON (1)

Dustin Parks (278) Denny Hamlin finished second (0)

Rob Tiongson (278) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (1)

Ryan O'Hara (262) Jeff Gordon finished 39th (1)

Michael Hirshbein (257) Kyle Busch WON (2)

James Broomhead (252) Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished 19th (0)

Summer Dreyer (249) Denny Hamlin finished second (0)

 

Final Thoughts:  Oh "Lady In Black" how we have missed you for the last year.  On a weekend where we celebrate moms and all they have given to us, this lady is not going to be celebrating.  She will be ferocious, evil and will take a bite out of the competition.

There will be no racing stripes.  Instead, many "Darlington Stripes" will be meeting 43 drivers when the green flag flies.

See who will take the the checkered flag on FOX this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.

 

Summary of Picks:

Jeff Gordon-6

Kyle Busch-4

Carl Edwards-1

Jamie McMurray-1