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May 09, 2009
Reflecting on Darlington races from 50 years ago
T-Birds, Chevrolets, Lee Petty’s switch to a Plymouth and Joe Caspolich piloting an Oldsmobile titled the “City of Florence” were the gab of racing 50 years ago before the Rebel 300.
Crews work to make sure lights stay on the Southern 500
While thousands of fans gather inside the Darlington Racetrack for the Southern 500, they’re all joined under the lights.
2009 Southern 500 - Who will take the checkered flag?
News 13’s Matt Lincoln talks to the field and spotlights key drivers who have won at the Lady in Black, and those who have missed victory at one of NASCAR’s most historic tracks.
More mature Busch having comeback season for Penske team
After various incidents on and off the track throughout his career, Kurt Busch said it was time for him to change his ways and improve his reputation. He’s done that, and he’s having a solid season for Penske Racing so far in 2009.
Kenseth sets qualifying record for Southern 500
Matt Kenseth is not known as a strong qualifier, but it was hard to tell Friday at Darlington Raceway. Kenseth won the pole for today’s Southern 500 with a speed of 179.514, breaking the track record set by teammate Greg Biffle last season when the track was repaved.
LOGANO COLUMN: Qualifying in top 5 good feeling
Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, writes a column for the Morning News based on his experiences at Darlington.
NOTEBOOK: Junior unhappy with crew questions
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn’t in the best of moods at Darlington Raceway on Friday. Some of it might have had to do with the hot and muggy conditions the drivers had to endure.
Darlington has some Mother’s Day history
Although the spring races at Darlington ran forever in the shadow of the Southern 500, the initial Mother’s Day weekend races have storied histories of their own. The first Rebel 300 was on Mother’s Day weekend in 1957. It was a convertible race because NASCAR had a convertible division then.
Q&A: Inman talks Darlington, racing and Richard Petty
Dale Inman is a former crew chief and first cousin of Richard Petty. The duo won nearly 200 races together and six championships. Inman, now a consultant with Petty Motorsports, sat down with Morning News writer Justin Driggers on Friday to talk about Darlington, racing and the evolution of the crew chief position.
Busch’s misfortune benefits Kenseth
Matt Kenseth benefited from Kyle Busch’s misfortune to win Friday night’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200 at Darlington Raceway. Busch had the dominant car all night, but he was forced to pit with a bad tire during a caution with two laps to go.
Pontiacs have left their mark on track ‘Too Tough to Tame’
General Motors has announced it will stop producing the Pontiac, but the brand has left its legacy at the Darlington Raceway. Buck Baker won the 1960 Southern 500 in a Pontiac. It was the first win for a Pontiac at the historic track.
May 08, 2009
The Voice Of NASCAR has seen it all at Darlington over the years
For nearly 50 years, Barney Hall has covered NASCAR racing at Darlington Raceway for radio listeners across the country, and around the world. But he hasn’t always had the best seat in the house.
ESPN The Magazine interviews ‘The Lady in Black’
I am the mama who raised NASCAR. My given name is Darlington Raceway. And I was a darlin’, all right, in my prime.
News 13’s Cecil Chandler reminisces on four decades of racing
News 13 Sports Director Matt Lincoln chats with longtime WBTW newsman Cecil Chandler on his more than four decades of watching, reporting and being part of the action at Darlington Raceway.
Hauler parade pulls in race fans from near and far
As tailgaters pulled into Darlington Raceway’s infield area and set up across the street, the Fifth Annual Darlington Car Hauler Parade and Festival at Florence Civic Center welcomed crowds of race fans to celebrate the beginning of race weekend in the Pee Dee.
Allgaier finally gets his shot at Darlington
Justin Allgaier missed out on a chance to race at Darlington Raceway four years ago. Now the first-year Penske Racing driver is finally getting that opportunity in tonight’s Diamond Hill Plywood 200.
May 07, 2009
Darlington might be answer Johnson is looking for
A trip to Darlington might just be the cure for Jimmie Johnson’s recent struggles. Johnson heads into Saturday’s Southern 500 coming off his two worst finishes of the season, 30th at Talladega and 36th at Richmond.
Driver diary: What to expect from Lady in Black?
Throughout the weekend, Sprint Cup driver Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota, will write a column for the Morning News and scnow.com based on his experiences at Darlington. In today’s column, Logano says he doesn’t know quite what to expect in his first Cup race at the racetrack.
Southern 500 notebook: Roush’s Ragan eyes turnaround
After finishing 13th in Cup points last year, David Ragan had high hopes entering 2009. So far, though, things haven’t gone according to plan. Ragan finished sixth at Daytona, but hasn’t had a top five since the season opener and comes into Saturday’s Southern 500 at Darlington 23rd in points.
Vendors set up ahead of qualifying day
Before racers show up at the track to qualify, vendors arrive to set up so NASCAR vans can get the full track experience.
Fans: Only way to experience race weekend is The Race Bus
It was long ago in 2001 that the Race Bus was created. Purchased by a group of young pilgrims, a 1970 Chevrolet C-50 school bus was restored and turned into an all-purpose NASCAR-watching vehicle. Its exploits have become legendary. Its aura smells distinctly of party. Its street cred is significant.
Paint scheme recalls bygone era of racing at Darlington
When fans show up to watch their favorite drivers duke it out under the lights at Darlington Raceway on Friday and Saturday night, they will likely notice that what was once old is new again at the Track Too Tough To Tame. http://m.scnow.com/scnow/db_7344/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=JGAvNggu&storycount=100&detailindex=8
Patience is key on race weekend
S.C. Highway Patrol troopers are urging motorists, pedestrians and even vehicle passengers to exercise patience with traffic at and around Darlington Raceway this weekend.
Hornish more than just another driver
As a driver, Sam Hornish has competed in auto racing’s top two series, winning three IndyCar championships and an Indianapolis 500. But Hornish is more than just a racer; he’s a gear head at heart with a passion for buying and fixing up vintage cars.
Busch would love two wins at Darlington for Palmetto State crew chiefs
Kyle Busch won the Sprint Cup race at Darlington a year ago, making a winner of crew chief Steve Addington, a Spartanburg native. Busch said he would love to win both the Cup and Nationwide Series races this time around. Busch’s Nationwide Series crew chief, Jason Ratcliff, is also a native South Carolinian.
May 06, 2009
Safety measures taken at Raceway
When Carl Edwards’ car flew into the catch fence at Talladega two weeks ago, NASCAR got a reminder as to just how dangerous racing can be.
Darlington Southern 500 track race schedule
Want to know when registration opens, how about pace car rides? Find out with this schedule.
Wild Thing turns into winning driver
They call him wild thing, Baby Busch and Rowdy, but more than any other driver since the beginning of the 2008 season, they’ve called Kyle Busch a winner.
During down time, driver traverses U.S. panning for gold
Marcos Ambrose’s ultimate treasure is to win his first NASCAR race and compete for a championship. Ambrose, though, wouldn’t mind finding a real treasure along the way.
May 05, 2009
Local dragsters race for a cause
Children helping children will be the theme Saturday at Darlington Dragway as the Florence Junior Dragsters will put on a benefit to raise money for McLeod’s Children’s Hospital.
