2025 Goodyear 400: What to Expect

Denny Hamlin took home an emotional win last week at Martinsville. There’s plenty of noise around him this year, especially with the ongoing lawsuit involving him and the 23XI team versus NASCAR, but he’s made it clear: on race day, his focus is 100% on the job.

What to Expect This Weekend

It’s throwback weekend at the 2025 Goodyear 400, so expect some familiar looks on the track. From Jeff Gordon’s iconic flames to the classic Earnhardt black, some teams are leaning all the way in, while others are sitting it out. Bubba Wallace made it clear where he stands: “For me, it’s run its course. That doesn’t mean it needs to stop. I’m just on the side of we don’t need to participate.”

No major surprises on the entry list, though the No. 15 Rick Ware car will be piloted by JJ Yeley this week.

Darlington’s worn-out surface is one of the most brutal in NASCAR. Tire fall-off is real here. The teams that manage their rubber and pit strategy best will rise to the top. Expect long green-flag runs and late-race charges to shake up the leaderboard.

Key Drivers to Watch

Bubba Wallace has been one of the most consistent drivers over the last few years. He kicked off 2025 with a Duel win during Daytona 500 weekend and has quietly kept that momentum going. There’s something special about this team this season, and we’re about to start seeing it click. Bubba’s my pick this weekend.

Kyle Busch thrives at Darlington, and while his results this season have been rough, you get the feeling he's carrying that chip on his shoulder into every race. This could be the week it pays off.

Ross Chastain’s been quiet lately, but Darlington’s the kind of track where he shines. Joey Logano’s recent complaints about Ross might be a sign that he’s starting to get back to his elbows-up, Earnhardt-style aggression.

Denny Hamlin’s coming off a big win and has momentum on his side. He’s a four-time winner at Darlington and knows this place as well as anyone. If anyone’s going back-to-back this year, it’s him.

Where to Watch

Green flag drops at 3:00 p.m. EST on FOX and Max. Don’t miss this one. Darlington never disappoints.

What We’ve Learned So Far

Chevy is still the class of the field, but Toyota’s been quietly stacking solid results. Ford is still looking for answers. With the summer stretch on the horizon, this is the point in the season where contenders start to separate from the pack. Darlington might just be where that shakeup begins.