Browning optimistic of another sellout

DARLINGTON — Darlington Raceway’s sellout streak will be put to the test this week.

The track has sold out its previous four Mother’s Day events with last year’s sellout happening the day before the race. But, like every NASCAR track, Darlington Raceway is feeling the effects of the economy.

As of Sunday night, there were less than 3,500 tickets left for Saturday’s Southern 500.

So far this season, Bristol is the only track to announce a sellout. Richmond, which had its 33-race sellout streak snapped last year, didn’t sell out Saturday’s Russ Friedman 400.

Still, Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning thinks a sellout is a possibility. He said ticket sales have spiked in recent weeks and is hoping the trend continues.

“We are optimistic about our chances of selling the event out again,” Browning said Friday. “It seems to be the trend that folks are waiting a little bit to buy tickets and we know that.”

Sellout or not, Saturday’s race is going to have a nostalgic feel. The track is celebrating its 60th year of racing at NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway.

To give the race an old-time feel, the name was changed back to the Southern 500 and the retaining walls have been painted red and white for the first time since 1989.

The winner of the race also will receive the new Johnny Mantz trophy. The four-tiered trophy features engraved photos of all 43 Darlington winners.

“This is going to be a special event,” Browning said. “The retro-paint scheme is really going to look good at night.”

Many of NASCAR’s biggest names are expected to attend.

Former Darlington winners Cale Yarborough, David Pearson, Richard Petty, Ned Jarrett, Buddy Baker and Sterling Marlin will also be honored along with all the track’s active winners.

Yarborough, who is tied with Jeff Gordon for most Southern 500 victories, also will serve as the honorary pace car driver.

There also will be a pre-race concert inside the track by country recording star Billy Currington, who also will sing the national anthem.

WHAT: Southern 500
WHEN: Saturday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Darlington Raceway
tickets: $45-95
TO GET TICKETS: Call (866)
459-7223 or online at
http://www.darlingtonraceway.com