Supercars has confirmed Powderfinger lead singer Bernard Fanning, Ball Park Music, and Alice Ivy will play at the Darwin Triple Crown this year.

The category has simultaneously announced garage door company Merlin will take naming rights for the sixth event of the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship at Hidden Valley Raceway.

The music acts will perform on the Saturday night of the event, which takes place on June 18-20.

It marks the first time since 2016 that headliner Fanning has performed in the Northern Territory.

“The beautiful Northern Territory is one of my favourite places to visit, and it has been more than four years since we have had the pleasure of seeing you guys in the flesh,” said Fanning.

“I’ll be bringing my band The Black Fins and we can’t wait to play some tunes, new and old, for you at the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown, especially after what has been an incredibly tough year for so many people.”

The event officially gets underway on Friday night with drag racing on the quarter-mile while Supercars hosts its action across Saturday and Sunday

Hidden Valley Raceway was a focal point for the championship in 2020, hosting back-to-back events in a coronavirus-disrupted calendar.

This year the championship returns for just one event with a high-profile support category line-up.

“This event will put Darwin on the map as we continue our comeback from the coronavirus crisis,” said Minister for Major Events, Natasha Fyles.

“Not only have we kept Territorians safe during the pandemic, but we have continued to be able to hold exciting events, which draw in visitors from right around the country, and keep the economy ticking over.

“After a unique Supercars doubleheader last year, this year we’ll see a super-fast edition, featuring the Supercars, Australian Superbikes, Stadium Super Trucks, Nitro Up North complete with the Aeroflow Outlaw Nitro Funny Cars and Australian Top Door Slammers, and some first-rate acts on stage.

“With another world-class event this year and strong demand for tickets already, the flow-on benefits will be felt across our community.”

The announcement comes 100 days out from the event.