Since having one of their two race dates taken away in recent years, Darlington Raceway has worked hard to fill their only race weekend with lots of activities in which fans can get involved. This year is no exception, with activities planned nearly the entire week leading up to Saturday evening's Nextel Cup race. The week includes a street festival, celebrities, three different races and a special Mother's Day salute.
On Wednesday afternoon, fans are invited to visit the Florence Civic Center for the Darlington Raceway Hauler Parade. They will be able to participate in a silent auction and meet many of the hauler drivers who work on the race teams to transport the race cars across the country. NASCAR V.P. of Communication, Jim Hunter, will be the grand marshal for this year's parade. The hauler parade will lead into the Public Square in downtown Darlington in the evening where fans and attendees can enjoy a street festival that includes a live band, car show, fireworks and plenty of food-and-beverage vendors.
The USAC Silver Crown Series will highlight the return of open-wheel racing to Darlington. The 50-lap shootout will be run under the lights Thursday night and will mark the first open-wheel racing at Darlington since 1951. The car owners for a few of the cars on the entry list include racing notables such as A.J. Foyt, Carl Edwards and David Reutimann. Tickets and pre-race pit passes are still available. NASCAR's Busch Series will race under the lights on Friday night for the second of three exciting races during the weekend.
The famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be on hand as well. Typically referred to as the "Gentle Giants," the horses will be stabled at the Darlington Raceway all week and are excited to meet race fans. Fans are welcome to stop by and see the horses at their temporary home for the week. The horses will do a parade lap around the 1.366-mile track Saturday before the race.
Multi-platinum recording artist and South Carolina native Josh Turner will sing Saturday's national anthem. He was born and raised in Hannah, S.C., just 50 miles from Darlington. Turner burst onto the country music scene with his debut album in 2003 and has already experienced tremendous success with two 2006 Grammy nominations for Best Country Album and Best Male Vocal Performance.
Finally, Darlington Raceway will honor the mothers of the drivers in a Mother's Day tradition that was started in 2005. More than 15 of the drivers' mothers will be included in the pre-race ceremonies and will walk across the stage with their sons during driver introductions. Collectively, the mothers will serve as grand marshal for the Dodge Avenger 500 and will give the command to fire engines, with a little twist - "Sons and Gentlemen, start your engines!"
Darlington Raceway Quick Facts
Darlington Lap Record: Ward Burton (28.295 seconds and 173.797 mph), March 22, 1996
Darlington Race Record: Dale Earnhardt (3 hrs., 34 min., 55 sec/139.958 mph), March 28, 1993
2006 Nextel Cup Winner: Greg Biffle
Total Purse: $5,507,009
