[4] It was televised live in the United States on Fox and its U.S. radio coverage was broadcast on Motor Racing Network starting at 6 p.m.

[1] Kevin Harvick remained the points leader after finishing the race in the sixth position.

In the first practice, A. J. Allmendinger, Dave Blaney, Mike Bliss, Michael McDowell, and Denny Hamlin were the fastest drivers.

[9] In the second session, Jamie McMurray, Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, and Juan Montoya were the top five in speed.

[11] There were three drivers who entered but did not qualify for the race: Joe Nemechek, Casey Mears, and Mike Bliss.

[2] To begin the pre-race ceremonies, Ken Sandifer, a pastor at First Baptist Church of Darlington, delivered the invocation.

John Norman and Kenneth Shelton, from Pope Air Force Base, then sang the national anthem.

Next, Michael Waltrip introduced the mothers of the drivers, who commanded, "Sons and gentlemen, start your engines!

"[12] Jamie McMurray led the drivers to the start of the race, but Jeff Gordon passed him before the first lap ended.

Greg Biffle, Martin Truex Jr., and Jimmie Johnson were involved, but all received only minor damage to their cars.

On the same lap, A. J. Allmendinger's brakes failed, allowing him to decide to go down on the track apron;[13] his car turned sideways, went backwards, and collided into the driver's door of Johnson's Impala.

Debris from Truex Jr.'s car allowed David Ragan to collide with the wall, bringing out the ninth caution on the next lap.

Hamlin, McMurray, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Brian Vickers, Tony Stewart, David Reutimann, Scott Speed, and Robby Gordon also led laps.