Darlington Raceway ramps up fan experience
As fans descend on Darlington Raceway for the Shriners Children’s presents Darlington Labor Day Race Weekend on Sept. 3-4, there will be an abundance of activities and entertainment, highlighted by the fierce, competitive racing at the track Too Tough To Tame featuring the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, Sept. 3 and opening race of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs in the 73rd running of the crown jewel Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday, Sept. 4.
GSSM Senior, Marilyn Bertok Contributes to NASCAR Research at Ford Performance Technical Center
Marilyn Bertok has always been on the fast track.
NASCAR and its fans: A long history of love
Millions of racing enthusiasts tune in to watch their favorite NASCAR drivers every weekend. Whether filling the stands in person or watching on television, NASCAR fans are drawn to the action and the sport’s storied history.
It is believed that what would ultimately evolve into car racing began during Prohibition times when “runners,” or those who delivered moonshine, souped up their cars to evade federal tax agents. These runners took pride in evading the law and would hold informal races to determine who had the fastest car and greatest racing chops. Eventually the need for smuggling booze waned, and car racing became a more respectable sport.
On February 21, 1948, the National Association for Stock Car racing was officially incorporated, although the first official NASCAR race took place six days earlier. The sport would go on to be one of the most popular spectator activities in North America and is now a multibillion dollar industry.
NASCAR owes its beginnings to mechanic and auto-repair shop owner William “Bill” France, Sr. of Washington, D.C. France became interested in racing after relocating to Daytona Beach, Fla., which he discovered was a hotbed for racing enthusiasts. France involved himself in racing cars and promotion. France felt there should be a sanctioning body to govern the sport, so in 1947, he organized a meeting in Florida to discuss the future of stock car racing and conceived the notion of NASCAR with other members of the racing community.
As NASCAR amassed its legions of fans, it also helped solidify the star status of many drivers. Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt Sr. (and later Junior), Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon are just a few of the notable drivers who have torn up tracks. In 1998, amid 50th anniversary celebrations, NASCAR put together a list of the organization’s 50 Greatest Drivers. Living members of the group were honored during pre-race festivities for the 1998 Daytona 500.
NASCAR has built its reputation not only on quality races, but also through sponsorship. In the history of NASCAR, there have been only three naming rights partners: RJ Reynolds, Sprint/Nextel and Monster Energy, which took the reins in 2017.
Those unfamiliar with NASCAR may think that the NASCAR season never ends. However, there is a defined season. The race season, comprising 38 races, starts in February and ends in November. Races are conducted on privately owned race tracks, all of which are asphalt or concrete. Although NASCAR has southern roots, tracks were built in California and Las Vegas to tap into newer audiences.
NASCAR has been around for decades, and new stars and fans are made each year.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Here is a list of upcoming events in our area.
Lawson-Griffith wedding
Miss Elizabeth Pearce Lawson of Darlington and Mr. Aaron Mitchell Griffith of Sumter were married on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at Trinity Methodist Church in Darlington.
Historic sword returned
By Stephan Drew, Editor editor@newsandpress.net Donated almost 40 years ago, a World War I era sword was returned to Georgia Ross on Saturday, August 20th at the Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex. Ross, a longtime Darlington resident remembered growing up with the sword in the house. “It was my grandmother’s,” Ross related, “We don’t know exactly how she came by it but, we knew not to bother it.” Gathered at their location at...
