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.
Hey, at least its a step in the right direction! Now, we need to push twice as hard to get Darlington a second date, and push "The Southern 500" back to its September date. Which, by the way, would make it a "Chase" race.
Think that I would prefer that they don't use that name if they add a corporate sponsor to it OR until it is back on Labor Day weekend.
It just seems kind of a hollow attempt to credit Brian France for his preseason comment that NASCAR is going back to it's roots. Earth to Brian: The NASCAR fans are still waiting for you to make good on that statement.
hanahan
Is it me or is NASCAR really doing that pi## poor a PR job when it comes to many of their traditional races on their calendar ?
Once a situation like that tends to start,
there's not stopping them from making certain maneuvers that'll begin to alienate many of their fans.
What's the situation on them trying to get a venue built in the tri state area ? With the nation's biggest ad market beckoning they've certainly got to do something sooner or later.
Looking forward to the pictures. I have a story to tell you too.
I had to have two tires for my car so I went to this local place and went inside. On the walls, in cases, everywhere you look in the waiting room is Earnhart photos, clippings, mugs, plates, watches, this and that, I mean it is everywhere. sr and jr.
LOL I asked the owner if he blogged, he said I don't know what a blog is. LOL Whew!
I got my two tires and as I was about to get in my car to pull out of the garage I said to him "so how 'bout that Kyle Busch? He's the man isn't he?"?
LOL. That set off a 10 minute tirade by the Owner who had been relentlessly hitting on me. Behind him the really cute 20 something tire buster was grinning and giving me the thumbs up.
I'm going back when I have time with the camera and getting photos of this waiting room. You won't believe this.
al...NASCAR is just like a lot of big businesses. They are over reaching, trying to attract new customers, by getting away from what made them money for years. They think the old customers will still be there, as NASCAR thinks it's the only game in town.
It took the NFL 20 years to see that the Europeans were never going to buy their product. NASCAR found that out in less than 5 years in Mexico, and Japan. NASCAR's market is nowhere near as large as the NFL's.
NASCAR should try to increase their customer base in the USA, while at the same time, not pissing off their long time loyal fans. It's a fine line. But NASCAR seems determined to screw it up.
Nique...I can't wait to see the pics. Last night on the 'Squidbillies' (the BEST cartoon ever) their shack burnt, and they lost "the Dale Jr poster, and matching bandana."
hanahan
This is meant to be the land where its been said that the US can sell almost anything they want to anybody. The problem really is the cultural clash and the ideas.
As for it reaching its base its already met the saturation and maturity point. It can't but look elsewehere in terms of new revenue streams. And if that means south or north of the border . That's what Helton , France and the rest of the NASCAR hierarchy'll try to do. Thus far they haven't been overly successful . It's still not really caught on south of the border and I sincerely doubt if anyone is that interested north of it either.
As for Europe and beyond that's indeed a really hard sell. Even though there are pockets of interest in places such as Britain.
The Southern 500 should be on Labor Day weekend. Fans have expressed their opinions about it for years, but NASCAR doesn't seem to care. NASCAR claims that California has sold more tickets on that weekend than Darlington did.
They could start the race at Darlington at 5:30p.m. like they do the Coca-Cola 600, and then, the drivers would have to race during part day.
Last edited by gonger93 on August 14th at 3:13 PM.
Hanny- Maybe they'll keep the name "Southern 500" then add sponsored by at the end. It might not be the same just keeping it southern 500. But at least it will have its original name back in there. The festival sounds really cool. How is the weather out there on Labor day? I know it cant be nothing like out here in Cali. 118 on race day last year. Thats why they pushed the start time back an hour hoping that it would cool off a bit. It did. It dropped to 110. Good write up.
Only 90 minutes down the road? Sounds like a good deal. The Southern 500... I can remember that race many moons ago. Makes sense, it's part of the fabric of the sport and shouldn't be pushed aside.
Enjoyed the readin' partner- David Pearson, Buddy Baker-good ole times...
I got my answer in writing now-just to let you folks know- I was exposed to nerve agents (Sarin gas) in the first gulf war-we all were- 1991 seems like yesterday-I'll be better tomorrow Lord Willing- good post and thank you for your time
D-Man...yeah, only 90 minutes to Darlington from here. I'll be in N FLA Saturday for the Jags/Dolphins game. Thanks to you and everyone else that stood up for me regarding the front row thing. You are a righteous dude, dude.
Ahh...Yes...Screw Cali and Labor Day. That race, that day, belongs in Darlington. The history. The Legands that have won, and lost there. The Million$ won ther Jeff Gordon.
The photo finishes. Ricky Craven and Kurt Busch. The love lost there. Dale Sr. and anyone around with one to go.
Give the Date back. Darlington sells out. Cali...well its empty..
Agreed, Darlington needs the Labor Day race back! I may agree even more after Labor Day in Fontana in 2 weeks. I know it is the Brew Crew's least fav track for various reasons...
pop...even people from California want Darlington to race on Labor Day. It looks like NASCAR is changing the schedule to have Atlanta race on Labor Day.
klv...Cali might be moved to October when the new schedule comes out. Is it much cooler in early Oct than Labor Day there?
JW...It would, but nobody will turn down money to do it.
Dude I love it since it is one of my two local tracks, the other being Lowes. I am so stoked to find out about the event as well. I will definitely be there for both races next year and the three at Lowes. Thanks for all the great info.
Good story Hanahan. This is nothing but a smoke screen from the France family. They take away one of the greatest races at the most famous of all tracks and then want to stick the name on the spring race. How about calling the spring race what it should be- The Rebel 500. Then move the Southern 500 back where it belongs. Darlington was once in Triple Crown of NASCAR. A win there was as big as Daytona or Charlotte. Then NASCAR decides to throw it away. I hope everyone Googles the address for NASCAR and sends snail mail to them expressing their opinion of this. This is a slap in the face to true racing fans. It's almost as bad as the kick in the nads we got when they took this race. A name change is nowhere near the same as giving us this race back. I may see you at festival, I'm from the Charlotte area and want to go if work allows.
18pack, if you're in this area you have more than those 2 tracks to go to. Within 4 hours of Charlotte you also have Richmond, Martinsville, Bristol and Atlanta. A couple more hours to Dega.
