Raceway Museum honors Cale Yarborough

Ahead of the 75th annual Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, former NASCAR crew chief Jeff Hammond and the Cale Yarborough family gathered at the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum to honor the late NASCAR legend. They unveiled Yarborough’s 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass No. 11, which won the Southern 500 in 1978. The car will be displayed in the museum until the Labor Day Race Weekend, after which NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett will drive it in a ceremonial lap before the race begins.

Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris emphasized the importance of celebrating Yarborough’s legacy, noting his five Southern 500 victories and three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships from 1976-78. Yarborough, a South Carolina native, raced at Darlington 49 times, securing five wins, 11 top-fives, and 17 top-10 finishes.

The historic No. 11 car, built by Banjo Matthews and driven to Yarborough’s 1978 championship, was later restored by current owner David Neidell. After the Cook Out Southern 500, the car will remain at the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum.

Hammond, who was part of Yarborough’s pit crew during his championship years, fondly recalled Yarborough’s toughness and determination on the track. Hammond also celebrated his own victories at Darlington, both as a pit crewman and a crew chief.

Darlington’s Labor Day Race Weekend features the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 on Saturday and the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday, which serves as the final race of the regular season. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets while available at