Duke Energy thanks Darlington Raceway

By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net

The Darlington Raceway signed an agreement with Duke Energy at the first of the year to be a staging location in the event of a widespread power outage; ironically, a short time later, the location was used for the over 200 trucks needed to restore power to the surrounding area during the ice storm in mid February.

Darlington Raceway track President Chip Wile (center) was presented a plaque by Duke Energy’s Land Representative Buz Moore and Government and Community Relations Manager Mindy Taylor in appreciation for the raceway’s support of their ice storm restoration effort in February.  Photo by Jana E. Pye

Darlington Raceway track President Chip Wile (center) was presented a plaque by Duke Energy’s Land Representative Buz Moore and Government and Community Relations Manager Mindy Taylor in appreciation for the raceway’s support of their ice storm restoration effort in February.
Photo by Jana E. Pye

“We hope we never have to use the track again,” said Buz Moore of Duke Energy. “But it worked out very well.”

Darlington Raceway entered an agreement with Duke Energy to be a location in the event of a widespread power outage, such as a hurricane, tornado, or ice storm.

“This is a great central location, not only for Hartsville and Florence, but the whole Pee Dee,” said Moore. “We had folks from Cheraw come in- about 200 trucks. We set up a big tent, and had heat, coolers, food, and a portable kitchen- plus, room for all the materials, poles, and trucks.”

“I’m glad you got to use it,” said track President Chip Wile. “It was good we signed that deal so you could use it as fast as you needed to.”

The ice storm occurred when Wile was in Florida for the NASCAR Daytona Race.

“When you bring in that many resources you have got to have a lot of land,” said Mindy Taylor, Government and Community Relations Manager. ”The track is such a great community partner and allowed us to stage them here, and we appreciate their support.”

Author: Duane Childers

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