By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Elliott Sadler visited The Track Too Tough to Tame last Tuesday, August 14 to officially open the Darlington Raceway’s newly renovated grandstands.
“This is a great day in the history of Darlington Raceway,” said track president Kerry Tharp. “Not only are we showcasing the success of the massive renovation the track has undergone, but we also ceremoniously signed a bill that will continue to support the track and surrounding community for years and years to come.”
Since January of 2018, the Raceway has invested $7 million to renovate 60 percent of Darlington Raceway’s seating along the front and back stretches. New, wider seats with cupholders have been installed in the Tyler, Wallace and Colvin Grandstands, and the rake has been improved for better sight lines.
Gov. McMaster also conducted a ceremonial signing of SC House Bill 4009, the Motorsports Entertainment Complex Investment Act, which sets groundwork to provide incentives for future capital investments by Darlington Raceway and its parent company, the International Speedway Corporation.
McMaster was joined by SC Speaker of the House Jay Lucas (R-Hartsville), Sen. Gerald Malloy (D-Hartsville) and Rep. Robert Williams (D-Darlington) for the signing of the bill, and the legislators also helped the governor and his wife, Peggy McMaster, cut the ribbon to officially open the new grandstand seating.
“I am proud to support Darlington Raceway,” said Gov. McMaster. “It is a major sporting venue that attracts thousands of fans to our great state of South Carolina every year, resulting in over $64 million worth of economic impact for our state.”
Driver Elliot Sadler lauded the legislator’s efforts to team up with the Raceway to invest in the future of racing.
“All NASCAR tracks that are successful in today’s world have support from their local dignitaries, their politicians, their governors. It says a lot about you, what you care about, what Kerry is doing for the program here at Darlington, and what you’re doing for NASCAR,” said Sadler.
Sadler is set to compete in the September 1 Sport Clips Haircuts VFW at Darlington Raceway, which airs at 3:30 p.m. on NBC.
Darlington Raceway’s popular throwback campaign has become the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR, highlighted by the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500, which airs on Sunday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m on NBCSN.
Tickets for these races are now available by calling 866-459-7223 or visiting www.DarlingtonRaceway.com