Time, TV channel for start of Cup playoffs

And now we have one of those weeks where ancient history (by NASCAR standards) collides with a bunch of guys trying to make their own history.

Labor Day Weekend at Darlington has been in NASCAR’s bloodstream for 75 years now, with the traditional Southern 500 serving as one of stock-car racing’s tent poles since 1950.

Nowadays, all of that tradition has been goosed by some old-fashioned pressure: Darlington serves as the opening salvo of the Cup Series’ 10-race playoffs. It’s the first of three races that make up the Round of 16, which will become the Round of 12 when four racers are eliminated in two weeks.

Want to watch the Southern 500?

Sixteen drivers will be part of the field Sunday evening and one of them will likely win the race and earn automatic entry into that Round of 12.

The Truck Series also begins its playoffs at Darlington. The truck postseason is a seven-race affair. The Xfinity Series is off this week and has two races remaining before its playoff field is set.

And how about a little dirt-trackin’ bonus this weekend? For the second time in three weeks, the ARCA Series turns laps at a one-mile dirt track in Illinois. Sunday night brings the Southern Illinois 100 from the state fairgrounds in DuQuoin.

HOWDY, COLLEGE FOOTBALL Strike up the band, college football Week 1 staggers on stage. Also, rankings and picks

Friday: First field set for Truck Series playoffs

3:05 p.m.: Truck Series practice, followed by qualifying (FS2).

Saturday: Southern 500 field set by qualifying at Darlington

9 a.m.: Cup Series practice (TruTV).

10:10 a.m.: Cup Series qualifying (TruTV).

Noon: Truck Series, Sober or Slammer 200 (FS1).

Sunday: NASCAR Cup Series playoffs open with Lady in Black

6 p.m.: Cup Series, Southern 500 (USA).

8:30 p.m.: ARCA Series, Southern Illinois 100 (FS1).