Darlington Raceway - Track History & Information

Track Too Tough to Tame

 

For 75 thrilling years, Darlington Raceway has been home to legendary moments, daring drivers, and the unforgettable roar of NASCAR's finest. Known as the "Track Too Tough to Tame," this iconic venue has tested the limits of skill and speed, where only the boldest conquer its unforgiving turns. From the first race in 1950 to today’s high-octane battles, Darlington has been the ultimate proving ground for racing greatness!

 

TRACK HISTORY AND INFORMATION

WHO WON THE FIRST SOUTHERN 500?

• Sept. 4, 2 1950: Running of the first Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, NASCAR's original superspeedway race, the first for "stock cars." 75 cars entered the event while some 25,000 fans watched from the grandstand and infield. Race was won by Californian Johnny Mantz, the slowest qualifier in the field. He blitzed the field by using a hard-compound truck tire while others kept blowing tires throughout the race.

WHY WAS THE 1963 SPRING 300-MILE CUP SERIES RACE UNIQUE?

• The race was run in two 151-mile segments, a new twist created by track president Bob Colvin. Broken into pair of 110-lap races. Joe Weatherly won first segment and finished second in second segment, which was good enough to be declared the winner via a special points system.

WHEN WAS THE TRACK REPAVED FIRST?

• After local favorite Cale Yarborough won his first of a record five Southern 500s in 1968, the track had a reconfiguration of the old turns three and four (East end). $175,000 dollars spent to re-bank the venue as well as repave with asphalt. Banking now at 25 degrees in old turns three and four.

WHEN WAS THE FIRST XFINITY SERIES RACE?

• April, 1980: First late model sportsman race (subsequently called the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, and today’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series). David Pearson edges out Neil Bonnett and Dave Marcis as the trio are three-wide at the line. Held the day before 500 in the spring.

We're excited to announce NASCAR pioneer Dave Marcis as our honorary starter for the #Goodyear400 on Sunday, March 22! pic.twitter.com/1mGvmpqYos

— Darlington Raceway (@TooToughToTame) March 18, 2026

HAS THERE EVER BEEN A MOVIE OR TV SHOW FILMED AT DARLINGTON RACEWAY?

• Yes – actually twice. The first was the 1960 movie “Thunder in Carolina” that starred Rory Calhoun, Connie Hines and Alan Hale, Jr. (who also played the Skipper in Gilligans Island). The second was “Days of Thunder” in 1990, starring a host of notable actors, including Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Nicole Kidman, Michael Rooker and John C. Reilly.

WHAT YEAR WAS THE TRACK FLIPPED AROUND?

• 1997. Darlington gears up for its most important year since the track opened in 1950. Because the track was able to purchase property on the "back" side of the track (off Indian Branch Road), it is decided to "switch" the start/finish line to the opposite side, thus making the old turn three the new turn one, the old turn four the new turn two. This will allow for expansion of new Tower seating. The old turn one becomes the new turn three, and the old turn two is now the new turn four. While the start/finish line was moved, the actual track surface was not disturbed. The asphalt and walls still the same.

WHO HAS THE MOST CONSECUTIVE VICTORIES IN THE SOUTHERN 500?

• Jeff Gordon who pulled off the feat from 1995 through 1998. In his victories in 1997 and 1998 he won an extra $1 million bonus.

WHAT IS THE CLOSEST FINISH IN TRACK HISTORY?

• March, 2003: The second closest finish in NASCAR Cup Series history is set March 16 in the spring 400-miler when Ricky Craven beats Kurt Busch by .002 seconds. It was one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of NASCAR with the duo trading paint over the last several laps.

WHAT YEAR WERE LIGHTS ADDED TO DARLINGTON RACEWAY?

• 2004. Lights are installed at the venue to provide night racing for Labor Day weekend. Jimmie Johnson wins both Cup Series races at Darlington, including the Southern 500, the next-to-last-race of the season, which was the first event held under the lights.

WHAT YEAR DID THROWBACK WEEKEND START?

• Sept, 2015: NASCAR’s original superspeedway introduces its first “Throwback Weekend,” to honor drivers and teams from NASCAR’s past. Teams were encouraged to run alternate throwback paint schemes from racers in the past, plus the entire industry got involved with throwback uniforms, while broadcast partners bringing back legendary broadcasters.

WHAT SPORTS VENUE HOSTED THE FIRST AND SECOND LIVE EVENTS DURING COVID IN 2020?

• Track Celebrates 70 years of existence.
• After a 15-year absence, Darlington gains its second NASCAR weekend back, adding a race date on Mother’s Day weekend in addition to Labor Day weekend.
• Darlington Raceway hosted the first and second live sporting events in the country since the pandemic shut down all sports around the world. While some states wouldn’t allow sporting events, South Carolina did, and NASCAR conducted races at the 1.366-mile track, just two hours from many of the team shops in the Charlotte area. The races were televised but with no fans in the stands. Kevin Harvick wins the first race back, and a few days later, Denny Hamlin wins the second. Chase Briscoe captured the NASCAR Xfinity Series event.
• May: Kevin Harvick wins the first race back, and a few days later, Denny Hamlin wins the second. Chase Briscoe captured the NASCAR Xfinity Series event.
• Sept: Kevin Harvick wins the Cook Out Southern 500, the first Southern 500 sponsored by the popular restaurant chain.

WHO HAS SERVED AS TRACK PRESIDENTS OF DARLINGTON RACEWAY SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1950?

• Harold Brasington (1950 - 1952)
• Bob Colvin (1952 - 1967)
• Barney Wallace (1967 - 1983)
• Walter D. "Red" Tyler (1983 - 1989)
• Woody McKay (1989 - 1993)
• Jim Hunter (1993 - 2001)
• Andrew Gurtis (2001 - 2004)
• Chris Browning (2004 - 2013)
• Chip Wile (2013 - 2016)
• Kerry Tharp (2016 - 2024)
• Josh Harris (2024 - Current)

 

source: Darlington Raceway Media