Chase Elliott issued strong words ahead of NASCAR’s historic Darlington Throwback Weekend on Sunday. The driver feels the event is beginning to lose popularity and grandeur because it has become seemingly repetitious. Has the “Crown Jewel” event become as lackluster as he claims despite its rich history? The iconic track is known as the “Lady in Black” because of its uneven surface, steep banking, and narrow, unpredictable turns.
Beginning in 2015, the iconic track in South Carolina has paid homage to the sport’s most legendary drivers by resurrecting classic paint schemes. For nearly a decade, spectators have flocked to the 1.366-mile oval for the sweet smell of retro meets modern nostalgia. Each year, the venue hosts two of NASCAR’s most prestigious and exciting races, the Southern 500 and the Goodyear 400. The Southern 500, which typically kicks off Labor Day weekend, is now part of the NASCAR playoff schedule set for August 31st.
Since the track’s debut in 1950, it has held a little over 127 Cup Series races until Xfinity started at the track in 1982. Darlington’s “Throwback Weekend” holds special meaning for commemorating drivers and captures its essence as the backbone of NASCAR for seven decades and counting. Despite the event’s embedded roots throughout NASCAR history, Elliott still feels enough is enough, much to the dismay of fans.
Chase Elliott’s Controversial Statement About Darlington Throwback Weekend
In the wake of Darlington Throwback Weekend, everyone on Sunday’s field was excited to don vintage paint schemes from drivers such as Dale Sr., Cale Yarborough, and Carl Edwards. Yet, Chase Elliott chose to downplay the mystique behind the historic event. Elliott, briefed in a pre-race press conference, spoke candidly to reporters about his feelings.
He explained that for several years, he silently felt it lost its appeal. Carefully choosing his words, Elliott added that he wasn’t trying to downplay the event but was recalling an earlier statement he made. Still, no matter how much he tried to smooth things over, fans were not buying it. Several took to the social media platform X to express their shock and disappointment.
Fan Bradley Sisson responded with a tweet stating the importance of celebrating the sport’s rich history. He added that one weekend out of the year to honor NASCAR’s history still makes sense in the scheme of things. Sisson also said he felt that the current format may be a bit exhausting, but drivers must put in the effort to make it a success. Other fans followed suit, tweeting responses agreeing with Sisson’s synopsis of Chase Elliott’s argument.
“I thought it lost its luster about 4 or 5 years ago… Not to be a downer, and I joked about this years ago, if we kept going down the road, we’re gonna be throwing it back to me in 2018. So, at some point, I think we gotta chill on it a little bit. I think we’ve rode the horse to death,” Chase Elliott said of Darlington Throwback Weekend.
“I think it’s important to celebrate the history of the sport, & having one weekend a year devoted to that in some form or fashion still makes a lot of sense. Maybe we’ve exhausted the current format, but whatever it is will only be as good as the effort put in across the board,” Fan Bradley Sisson tweeted via X.
Does Elliott Have a Point?
Chase Elliott fans are scratching their heads regarding why he feels Darlington Throwback Weekend has lost its appeal. Yet, others are questioning whether he has a point. This is likely because NASCAR has revamped its regular season schedule and added venues. Shifting the Southern 500 from Labor Day weekend to NASCAR’s August playoff schedule has impacted its classic feel.
Similar questions have been running through everyone’s minds since Rockingham Speedway was revived before the start of 2025. Like Darlington, Rockingham Speedway has been the fabric of NASCAR since it’s debut in 1965. It is also home to some of the most legendary moments in stock car racing history. One such moment is Hall of Famer Curtis Turner’s first win at the track’s inaugural American 500.
Over a career spanning from 1949 to 1968 he completed 184 starts, amassed 17 wins and earned 16 poles. Other notable victories at the track include 11 from legend Richard Petty and 7 from Cale Yarborough. Therefore, with the history behind Rockingham it makes fans and the NASCAR world wonder whether theres a chance for an honorary weekend there. Could Chase Elliott truly be on to something?
Final Thoughts
Chase Elliott recently spoke out about Darlington Throwback Weekend losing it’s shine but his thoughts are receiving mixed reviews. Yet, it seems most fans are not in agreeance and offered up their own opinions. The purpose of the weekend is to honor NASCAR’s most legendary passed and living. The event has gone off without a hitch for over a decade, so why fix something that isn’t broken? Does Chase Elliott’s argument hold up? You be the judge.
