Darlington on Labor Day Among Changes Announced on 2015 Sprint Cup Series Schedule

As previewed this past weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR announced the 2015 Sprint Cup Series schedule on Tuesday.

One of the biggest highlights of the new schedule is that Darlington Raceway gets its traditional Labor Day weekend date back. Darlington has been on the schedule since 1950, and had hosted a race every Labor Day weekend through 20o3.

“This is a true example of Darlington Raceway, ISC and NASCAR all working together to give fans what they have wanted for many years – the tradition of stock car racing on Labor Day weekend at the Lady in Black,” said track President Chip Wile in a track release. “We can’t thank our leaders at ISC and NASCAR enough for working with us to bring back such a historic date on the 2015 NASCAR calendar.

“We raced the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend for 53 years. Returning to a date in 2015 that is filled with so much tradition and history is a historic moment for our fans and local community.”

Additionally, Atlanta Motor Speedway will now run the week after the Daytona 500, moving Phoenix International Raceway to week four as a part of three straight west coast races.

#NASCAR #RaceHub announces the "West Coast Swing" – Vegas, Phoenix, Auto Club all in a row 3/8, 3/15 and 3/22. pic.twitter.com/sHJq3mOx0P

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) August 26, 2014

Bristol Motor Speedway announced on Friday that their date would move to mid-April rather than March, where the events have been affected by cold temparatures, rain and snow in recent years.

“This is a great day in the history of Bristol Motor Speedway thanks to our passionate fans,” Jerry Caldwell, BMS general manager and executive vice president said of the change. “Bruton and Marcus Smith and NASCAR heard the relentless plea for a true spring race date. The fans can look forward to a 2015 landmark celebration April 17-19 in Thunder Valley.”

Kentucky Speedway’s date was moved slightly to the week after the July Daytona race, which was moved to Sunday, July 5. Also, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Kansas Speedway will trade their fall dates, while no other changes were made within the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

2015 Sprint Cup Series Schedule

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 — Sprint Unlimited, FOX

Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 — Daytona 500 Qualifying, FOX

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015 — Duel, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 — Daytona 500, FOX

Sunday, March 1, 2015 — Atlanta, FOX

Sunday, March 8, 2015 — Las Vegas, FOX

Sunday, March 15, 2015 — Phoenix, FOX

Sunday, March 22, 2015 — California, FOX

Sunday, March 29, 2015 — Martinsville, FOX

Sunday, April 5, 2015 — Off

Saturday, April 11, 2015 — Texas, FOX

Sunday, April 19, 2015 — Bristol, FOX

Saturday, April 25, 2015 — Richmond, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, May 3, 2015 — Talladega, FOX

Saturday, May 9, 2015 — Kansas, FOX Sports 1

Saturday, May 16, 2015 — Sprint All-Star, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, May 24, 2015 — Charlotte, FOX

Sunday, May 31, 2015 — Dover, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, June 7, 2015 — Pocono, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, June 14, 2015 — Michigan, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, June 21, 2015 — Off

Sunday, June 28, 2015 — Sonoma, FOX Sports 1

Sunday, July 5, 2015 — Daytona, NBC

Saturday, July 11, 2015 — Kentucky, NBCSN

Sunday, July 19, 2015 — New Hampshire, NBCSN

Sunday, July 26, 2015 — Indianapolis, NBCSN

Sunday, August 2, 2015 — Pocono, NBCSN

Sunday, August 9, 2015 — Watkins Glen, NBCSN

Sunday, August 16, 2015 — Michigan, NBCSN

Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 — Bristol, NBCSN

Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015 — Off      

Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015 — Darlington, NBC

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 — Richmond, NBCSN

Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 — Chicagoland, NBCSN

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015 — New Hampshire, NBCSN

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 — Dover, NBCSN

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015 — Charlotte, NBC

Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 — Kansas, NBC

Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 — Talladega, NBCSN

Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015 — Martinsville, NBCSN

Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015 — Texas, NBC

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 — Phoenix, NBC

Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015 — Homestead, NBC