NASCAR officially returns to a Labor Day weekend tradition for the first time since 2003 on Sunday night when the Southern 500 brings back its name for a prime-time retro showcase.
Here's a news flash: You can see it on your local NBC station. No cable required. Same goes for the XFINITY race Saturday, the VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200.
But more importantly, Sunday will be a night where NASCAR goes back in time. Maybe not quite like the old Fox sitcom that propelled Ashton Kutcher to stardom -- if you got the reference in the headline, give yourself 1,000 bonus points, just because -- but you get the idea.
Some cars will have paint schemes from the 1970s, like the 43 of Aric Almirola. Some will come from the 1980s, such as Brad Keselowski's tribute in the No. 22 to Bobby Allison's 1983 championship run.
Others will be from the 1990s, like Trevor Bayne's salute to Mark Martin and his seven race wins from the 1998 season. Even the 2000s will be saluted by Josh Wise in the No. 32 with Ricky Craven's paint scheme from the 2003 spring race at Darlington, which was only 400 miles, but had the closest finish in history.
Remember that one? Craven banged doors with Kurt Busch and beat him to the line by an insanely thin margin of about six inches.
And on the broadcast side, none other than Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett will call a portion of the race on NBC. I cannot wait to see and hear it.
Only downer: There's no official word on when they'll come on the air or for how long. With that going along with the retro paint schemes and the low-drag aero package, there's absolutely no reason to miss this race.
If what happened at Kentucky Speedway in June was any indication, the tradition of Darlington on Labor Day weekend for race fans should be something to look forward to for many years to come.
Followers and comments welcome on Twitter @Tomzsports.
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