Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway, located near Darlington, South Carolina, is one of NASCAR’s oldest and most iconic race tracks. Opened in 1950, it is renowned for its unique egg-shaped oval design and its reputation as “The Lady in Black” and “Too Tough to Tame” due to its challenging racing surface and demanding layout. The 1.366-mile paved track has been a staple on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar since its inception, hosting prestigious events like the Southern 500 — one of the sport’s crown jewel races.

History

The vision for Darlington Raceway originated with Harold Brasington, a local resident and former dirt racer inspired by the success of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after attending the 1933 Indy 500. After searching multiple locations, Brasington chose Darlington for lower land costs and acquired 105 acres of farmland originally used for cotton and peanuts, with the condition not to disturb an adjacent minnow pond. This led to the track’s distinctive asymmetrical, egg-shaped layout, with differing corner radii on each end.

Construction began in late 1949 or early 1950 (sources vary on the exact date), with the first race held on September 4, 1950, the inaugural Southern 500. This race was NASCAR’s first 500-mile event and drew a record 75-car field, the largest in NASCAR history at the time, with a total purse of $25,325 — significantly exceeding other races of that season. Johnny Mantz won the inaugural Southern 500 in a fuel-efficient Plymouth, driving conservatively on worn tires over six and a half hours.

Promoter Bob Colvin later took control from Brasington, overseeing major expansions. The International Speedway Corporation acquired the track in 1982, leading to modernization throughout the 1990s. Despite Darlington being located in a smaller market, it has remained on NASCAR’s premier schedule due to its history and challenging racing. The track has seen safety enhancements, including retaining walls after a tragic 1960 incident involving pit road fatalities. Its uniquely tough, narrow racing line continues to create dramatic and close competition.

Most Famous Races Held

The Southern 500 remains Darlington’s signature event, the oldest 500-mile NASCAR race, famous for awarding the historic “Winston Cup” trophy and drawing large crowds and top competitors. It was once the richest and most prestigious race pre-dating the Daytona 500’s rise. The track also hosts a well-attended NASCAR Xfinity Series event, the Sport Clips VFW 200. Legends such as Richard Petty, David Pearson (who holds the most wins at Darlington with 10), Jeff Gordon, and more have starred here, with the race known for its physicality, requiring skillful navigation of the unique layout.

Track Information

Darlington Raceway is a 1.366-mile (2.198 km) egg-shaped paved oval with asymmetric turns — turns 1 and 2 are tighter and narrower due to the minnow pond, while turns 3 and 4 are wider and sweeping. This makes car setup a challenge, forcing teams to find a compromise for the differing ends. The track is 24 degrees banked in the turns, contributing to high speeds but demanding precision and respect, as many drivers incur the so-called “Darlington stripe,” hitting walls on the narrow racing groove.

The facility currently holds approximately 47,000 spectators. It includes modern amenities developed over decades, with pit areas, grandstands, and a motorsports museum honoring NASCAR history. Darlington also features a frontstretch that runs parallel to the pit road, with separate sections to ease flow. Despite its smaller seating compared to larger superspeedways, its atmosphere and racing reputation remain unmatched.