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Darlington Raceway
In 1949, Darlington businessman, Harold Brasington, considered the possibility of turning an old cotton field into a superspeedway. His friends and peers dismissed the idea, but Brasington believed in Bill France's budding sport of NASCAR and also believed that Darlington could be much more. During the autumn months in 1949, Brasington began to shape a 1-¼ mile speedway on a former peanuts and cotton farm.
To the dismay of his friends and family, the construction crew worked for an entire year on the design. Brasington, himself, often sat behind the controls of the grading and bulldozer equipment. The original plan called for an oval track, but the landowner did not want to see his nearby minnow pond disturbed. So, the west end of the track was narrowed, which created Darlington's famous egg-shaped design.
The first race to be held at the track was to take place in 1950 on Labor Day. When the doors opened, the stands were quickly overflowing with anticipating race fans. Expecting a modest 10,000 spectators, the crowd of more than 25,000 shocked both Brasington and race track officials. Fans packed in and stood wherever possible just to get even the smallest glimpse of the action. Johnny Mantz, a Californian, accepted victory at the first Southern 500, which took 6 hours to finish. Mantz, who started last in a pack of 75 other competitors, drove his machine to be the first to reach the checkered flag.
Years later, Darlington Raceway earned the title as the track that is "Too Tough to Tame." It is known as one of the original true superspeedways and a pillar in the NASCAR dynasty. Aging is a part of life and Darlington has done it gracefully. With each year that passes, more history and charm seems to be added to the track.
Each year, the Mountain Dew Southern 500 welcomes race fans from all across the world. It's modern facility, convenient amenities and friendly atmosphere are just a few of the things that keep fans returning year and year. Jim Hunter, president of Darlington Raceway, is responsible for making sure that the facility keeps up with the changing times and the fast growing pace that is NASCAR racing. While under his control, Darlington Raceway has undergone many improvements, including the addition of two major grandstands. The Tyler Tower and Pearson Tower offer fans additional seating, convenient food and souvenir stands, etc.
The track that was once just a dream in the mind of Harold Brasington has become a staple on the NASCAR circuit. It's fast, it's intense and it's everything that a NASCAR race can be - it's Darlington Raceway. Located in South Carolina, the southern charm of this facility offers fans a friendly face at a very fast pace. So - buckle up and enjoy the ride that only Darlington can provide.
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