With only two races remaining before the Cup Series playoffs, the time is becoming short for drivers on the bubble like Erik Jones, Ryan Newman, Clint Bowyer and Daniel Suarez.
But for Jimmie Johnson, he has to be happy about one of the final two races being at Darlington Raceway.
Johnson comes into this weekend's race ranked 18th in the Cup Series standings, but he's in good range of Newman, Bowyer and Suarez. A victory would give him an automatic berth in the playoffs.
MORE: Watch the Bojangles' Southern 500 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
While he hasn't finished higher than 12th in his last four years at the track, including a 39th place last year, Johnson has three career wins at Darlington and he also finished fourth and third from 2012 to 2014.
Johnson has struggled over the last few races failing to earn a top 10 since he finished third at Daytona, but if he is able to find the groove that he was in during the middle of the season when he finished in the top 10 in four out of seven races, he could earn himself a place in the playoffs with one good run.
Also, it should be noted this week that the Xfinity Series will also be in Darlington and Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still planning to race there after the plane crash he and his family were involved in before the race in Bristol.
NASCAR at Darlington: What time does the Bojangles' Southern 500 start?
The Bojangles' Southern 500 will take place Sunday, Sept. 1. Live coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Bojangles' Southern 500 on?
The Bojangles' Southern 500 will be broadcast nationally on NBCSN. The race also can be live-streamed on the NBC Sports App or by subscribing to fuboTV, which offers a seven-day free trial.
NASCAR at Darlington TV schedule, how to watch
Here's a daily schedule of events leading up to the Bojangles' Southern 500.
(All times Eastern)
Friday, August 30
| Time | Event | Channel |
| 1:05 p.m. | Xfinty Series first practice | NBCSN/NBCSN App |
| 2:05 p.m. | Cup Series first practice | NBCSN/NBCSN App/MRN |
| 3:05 p.m. | Xfinity Series final practice | NBCSN/NBCSN App |
| 4:05 p.m. | Cup Series final practice | NBCSN/NBCSN App/MRN |
Saturday, August 31
| Time | Event | Channel |
| 12:35 p.m. | Xfinity Series qualifying | NBCSN/NBCSN App |
| 2:05 p.m. | Cup Series qualifying | NBCSN/NBCSN App/MRN |
| 4 p.m. | Xfinity Series Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200 | NBCSN/NBCSN App/MRN |
Sunday, September 1
| Time | Event | Channel |
| 6 p.m. | Bojangles' Southern 500 | NBCSN/NBCSN App/MRN |
Bojangles' Southern 500 starting lineup
Below is the entry list for the Bojangles' Southern 500.
| Starting | Driver | Number |
| TBD | Landon Cassill | 00 |
| TBD | Kurt Busch | 1 |
| TBD | Brad Keselowski | 2 |
| TBD | Austin Dillon | 3 |
| TBD | Kevin Harvick | 4 |
| TBD | Ryan Newman | 6 |
| TBD | Daniel Hemric | 8 |
| TBD | Chase Elliott | 9 |
| TBD | Aric Almirola | 10 |
| TBD | Denny Hamlin | 11 |
| TBD | Ryan Blaney | 12 |
| TBD | Ty Dillon | 13 |
| TBD | Clint Bowyer | 14 |
| TBD | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 17 |
| TBD | Kyle Busch | 18 |
| TBD | Martin Truex Jr. | 19 |
| TBD | Erik Jones | 20 |
| TBD | Paul Menard | 21 |
| TBD | Joey Logano | 22 |
| TBD | William Byron | 24 |
| TBD | Reed Sorenson | 27 |
| TBD | Corey Lajoie | 32 |
| TBD | Michael McDowell | 34 |
| TBD | Matt Tifft | 36 |
| TBD | Chris Buescher | 37 |
| TBD | David Ragan | 38 |
| TBD | Daniel Suarez | 41 |
| TBD | Kyle Larson | 42 |
| TBD | Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. | 43 |
| TBD | Ryan Preece | 47 |
| TBD | Jimmie Johnson | 48 |
| TBD | BJ McLeod | 51 |
| TBD | JJ Yeley | 52 |
| TBD | Garrett Smithley | 54 |
| TBD | Joey Gase | 66 |
| TBD | Quin Houff | 77 |
| TBD | Alex Bowman | 88 |
| TBD | Matt DiBenedetto | 95 |