The biggest race of the 2024 Late Model Stock Car season is finally upon us this weekend with the running of the 32nd Annual South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway. More than 55 cars have entered. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has entered. The Budweiser No. 8 car is back. There’s so much happening that we figured we needed to get you all up to speed with one neat and tidy article to tie everything together. So, let’s get started.

What Is the South Carolina 400?

The South Carolina 400 is a big, end-of-year event for the Late Model Stock Car division at South Carolina’s Florence Motor Speedway in Timmonsville, South Carolina. Though this is considered to be the “32nd Annual,” it’s actually just the fifth version of the “South Carolina 400.” 

The South Carolina 400 grew out of what used to be the Myrtle Beach 400, held annually at the now destroyed Myrtle Beach Speedway, a couple of hours to the east of Florence. That race began in 1993 and ran every year until 2019 when it became apparent that the days were numbered for Myrtle Beach Speedway. Steve Zacharias, the promoter of Myrtle Beach Speedway in its final years, also purchased Florence Motor Speedway and moved all of Myrtle Beach Speedway’s divisions and records over to Florence, including the Myrtle Beach 400. The race was renamed and is now held in a new location, but its legacy lives on with the South Carolina 400.

Is Dale Earnhardt Jr. Racing The South Carolina 400?

Yes, for the third year in a row, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is competing in the South Carolina 400. And this year, he’s doing it in the iconic red No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet that he ran from 1999 until the end of the 2007 season.

Earnhardt has finished in the top 10 in both of his prior South Carolina 400 starts. Earnhardt was in the mix for the win in 2022 before he was famously penalized, twice, for rough driving in the closing laps. He still rallied back to finish ninth that year, and he followed that up by going one spot better to finish eighth in 2023. 

Who Else Is Racing The South Carolina 400?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is not the only big name entered in Saturday’s race. The entry list has more than 55 names on it, including some of the biggest names in Late Model Stock Car racing.

Many CARS Tour competitors, including reigning champion Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, defending race winner Kade Brown, Conner Jones, Brandon Pierce, Ryan Millington, Tristan McKee, Brent Crews, Landon Huffman, Treyten Lapcevich, Jacob Heafner, and Ronnie Bassett Jr. are entered.

Other big names include multi-time Myrtle Beach Speedway track champion Sam Yarbrough, multi-time SMART Modified Tour winner Carson Loftin, and Doug Barnes Jr.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Josh Berry, who won the 2017 Myrtle Beach 400 but is still looking for his first South Carolina 400 win, is also entered.

The full entry list can be found below.

How Can I Watch The South Carolina 400?

The best way to watch the South Carolina 400 is by being in attendance at Florence Motor Speedway on Saturday night. But, we know that tickets may be limited, so the next best option is in front of your TV at home on FloRacing.

For the third year in a row, FloRacing will broadcast the South Carolina 400 exclusively to FloRacing subscribers on Friday, November 22, and Saturday, November 23. 

Race fans can subscribe to FloRacing by clicking here.

South Carolina 400 All-Time Winners List (Including Myrtle Beach 400)

2024 South Carolina 400 Event Schedule

Friday, November 21

Saturday, November 22

2024 South Carolina 400 Entry List