The Southern 500 is back. Unfortunately, not on Labor Day weekend, but it will return next year. In 2009, the 60th year of racing at Darlington, the Southern 500 will be held on Darlington's lone Cup race date. The Carolina Dodge Dealers 400, held on the Saturday night before Mother's Day, will become the Southern 500.

Nice to have the Southern 500 back. Please don't add a sponsor's name to the race. Of course, they're looking for a title sponsor right now, and they'll surely have one before next May.

The only problem I have with this is that drivers who win this new Southern 500, under the lights, in May, will be credited with winning the same race that other drivers won, while racing under the Carolina sun, in stifling cotton field heat.

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The first Darlington Historic Racing Festival will be held this Labor Day weekend on August 30 and 31. Dozens of legendary race cars---including four from the Indy HOF Museum--- from different series will take laps on the speedway. Some participants include David Pearson, Buddy Baker, Darrell Waltrip, Junior Johnson, Cotton Owens, and Bud Moore.

The Festival will offer fans question and answer sessions with the legends, autograph sessions, car and vendor displays, cars---some almost 100 years old---taking laps on the track, along with other activities for the fans.

This sounds like a great opportunity to see a bunch of old race cars at one time, and get to talk to some of the best drivers that ever raced at Darlington. I will try and make the 90 minute drive and get some pics and a few good stories.