Darlington in Darlington County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Darlington Raceway
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, May 7, 2010
1. Darlington Raceway Marker
Darlington Raceway, the first superspeedway in NASCAR history, was constructed in 1950 by Harold Brasington, a local race promoter who saw an asphalt-paved track as an advance over the standard dirt tracks and wanted a 500-mile stock car race to rival the Indianapolis 500. On September 4, 1950 the new mile-and-a quarter raceway hosted the first Southern 500, a 400-lap race in which 75 cars raced at top speeds of 80 m.p.h.
Reverse
The egg-shaped track at Darlington quickly gained a reputation as "the track too tough to tame" and the Southern 500 became one of racing's most important events. The Plymouth which Johnny Mantz drove to win the first race is one of several historic cars on display with other racing memorabilia at the NMPA Stock Car Hall of Fame/Joe Weatherly Museum, which opened here in 1965 to honor the pioneers of NASCAR.
Erected 1997 by Darlington Raceway. (Marker Number 16-37.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1979.
Location. 34° 17.844′ N, 79° 54.296′ W. Marker is in Darlington, South Carolina, in Darlington County. Marker can be reached from Harry Byrd Highway (State Highway 151-34) near West Smith
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Darlington Raceway (here, next to this marker); Richard Petty All-Time NASCAR Record (a few steps from this marker); George W. Dargan (approx. one mile away); Henry "Dad" Brown (approx. 1.4 miles away); Julius A. Dargan House (approx. 1.6 miles away); Darlington Memorial Center (approx. 1.6 miles away); Site of First Methodist Church (approx. 1.7 miles away); Wilds-Edwards House / Samuel Hugh Wilds (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Darlington.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, May 7, 2010
2. Wide view of the Darlington Raceway Marker
With the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum and National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame in the background
Photographed By Paul Crumlish, May 8, 2010
3. Darlington Raceway
The Wallace Grandstand and Tyler Tower during the 2010 Showtime Southern 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup event
Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 12, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,255 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 12, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
