History of Darlington Raceway in Timeline

Darlington Raceway is a 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval track located in Darlington, South Carolina. Opened in 1950, it primarily hosts NASCAR-sanctioned races. As of 2021, the track has a seating capacity of 47,000. Darlington Raceway is owned by NASCAR and its president is Josh Harris.

1933: Inspiration from Indianapolis 500

In 1933, Harold Brasington witnessed the Indianapolis 500 and became interested in replicating its success in the American Southeast with stock car racing.

1949: Groundbreaking

In 1949, groundbreaking occurred for Darlington Raceway, according to Charlotte News writer Bob Myers, with construction beginning sometime that year.

January 13, 1950: Construction Started

According to a 1950 report published by the Columbia Record, construction of Darlington Raceway started on January 13, 1950.

February 1950: 500-mile race announced

In February 1950, The Charlotte News reported that Darlington Raceway would host a 500-mile race on Labor Day of that year.

August 19, 1950: Official Opening

On August 19, 1950, Darlington International Raceway officially opened to the public for qualifying races for the Southern 500.

November 1950: First Fatality

In November 1950, Darlington Raceway's first fatality occurred when Robert Burns crashed and died during a motorcycle race.

1950: Inaugural season of racing

In 1950, Darlington Raceway held its inaugural season of racing, hosting various racing events primarily sanctioned by NASCAR.

1950: Darlington Raceway Opening

In 1950, Darlington Raceway opened under Harold Brasington, who aimed to replicate the success of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1950: Southern 500 Introduced

In 1950, the Southern 500 was introduced as a "Crown Jewel" race on the NASCAR schedule, traditionally held on Labor Day.

1953: South Turn Banking Extended

In 1953, the "south turn" banking at Darlington Raceway was extended from 12 ft (3.7 m) to 26 ft (7.9 m).

1954: Bob Scott's Death

In 1954, Bob Scott died after crashing during a 200 mi race at Darlington Raceway.

1955: New Grandstand Announced

In 1955, Darlington Raceway announced a new 13,200-seat grandstand on the backstretch to increase grandstand capacity to 29,200.

1956: Grandstand Expanded

In 1956, the grandstand being constructed was expanded to include 14,500 seats at Darlington Raceway.

1957: Bobby Myers' Death

In 1957, Bobby Myers was killed in an accident during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

1957: Goodyear 400 Added

In 1957, a second Cup Series race, the Goodyear 400, was added, and the track hosted two events annually until 2004.

1960: Deadliest Incident

In 1960, Darlington Raceway experienced its deadliest incident during the Southern 500, resulting in three fatalities.

1960: Racially Segregated Policies

In 1960, Darlington Raceway maintained racially segregated policies under Bob Colvin, with all-white grandstand seating and black spectators being refused access.

1963: Robert E. Lee Grandstand Erected

In 1963, a 3,300-seat grandstand named after Confederate Army general Robert E. Lee was erected on the track's then-fourth turn at Darlington Raceway.

1965: Buren Skeen's Death

In 1965, Buren Skeen died from injuries related to a crash during the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

1965: Wendell Scott Races and Racist Remarks

In 1965, Wendell Scott was allowed to race at Darlington Raceway after Colvin ended his ban, but Colvin made racist remarks to Scott.

1965: Track Repaved

In 1965, the Darlington Raceway track was completely repaved for the first time.

January 24, 1967: Colvin's death

On January 24, 1967, Bob Colvin, president of Darlington Raceway, died after suffering a heart attack at his home.

1967: Bob Colvin's death

In 1967, after Bob Colvin's death, major expansion on the Darlington Raceway came to a halt due to criticism of a lack of amenities.

1969: Turns Reconfigured

In 1969, turns three and four at Darlington Raceway were reconfigured from 15° to 25° and widened to 31 ft (9.4 m).

1975: Concrete Wall Enclosure

In 1975, the Darlington Raceway track was fully enclosed with a concrete wall.

March 1982: Revenue Losses Reported

In March 1982, Darlington Raceway was reported to have been suffering "significant revenue losses" according to The News & Observer.

June 11, 1982: Sale to ISC Announced

On June 11, 1982, a sale of Darlington Raceway to the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) was announced.

1982: ISC Buys Darlington Raceway

In 1982, the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) bought Darlington Raceway, leading to further expansion in the 1990s.

1982: Colvin Grandstand Renamed

In 1982, the then-frontstretch grandstand at Darlington Raceway was renamed to the Colvin Grandstand in honor of Bob Colvin.

1982: NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Introduced

Starting in 1982, the NASCAR Xfinity Series race was introduced to Darlington Raceway with the Shriners Children's 200.

May 10, 1983: Wallace's Death

On May 10, 1983, Barney Wallace, president of Darlington Raceway, died due to cancer.

1983: Second Xfinity Date Added

In 1983, a second date was added to the NASCAR Xfinity Series with the Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200.

1985: Pit Wall Replaced

In 1985, the inside retaining pit wall on the then-frontstretch at Darlington Raceway was demolished and replaced with a newer, longer pit wall.

1990: Major Renovation Project Commenced

In 1990, a major multi-year renovation project commenced at Darlington Raceway, including new garage area construction.

1991: Project Heavily Delayed

Starting in 1991, the renovation project at Darlington Raceway was heavily delayed due to economical issues.

1993: Jim Hunter Selected as President

In 1993, Jim Hunter was selected to replace McKay as president of Darlington Raceway.

1994: Tyler Tower Erected

In 1994, the new 8,000-seat Tyler Tower was erected above the then-backstretch Wallace Grandstand at Darlington Raceway.

1997: Start-Finish Line Flip-Flopped

In 1997, the start-finish line at Darlington Raceway was "flip-flopped" from the frontstretch to the backstretch, swapping turn numbers.

1999: Frontstretch Pit Road Extended

In 1999, the frontstretch pit road at Darlington Raceway was extended by seven pit boxes, removing the backstretch pit road.

1999: Failed attempt to add permanent lighting

In 1999, there was a failed attempt to add permanent lighting to host night racing at Darlington Raceway.

March 2001: Andrew Gurtis Replaces Jim Hunter

In March 2001, Andrew Gurtis replaced Jim Hunter as president of Darlington Raceway.

2001: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race Introduced

In 2001, a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race was introduced the Buckle Up South Carolina 200.

2003: Addition of Permanent Lighting

In 2003, track officials announced the addition of permanent lighting to host night racing at Darlington Raceway.

May 2004: Loss of Southern 500 Date

In May 2004, Darlington Raceway lost its fall Southern 500 date to California Speedway.

2004: End of Two Annual Events

Until 2004 Darlington Raceway hosted two annual events, the Southern 500 and the Goodyear 400.

2005: Southern 500 Replaces Goodyear 400

In 2005, the Southern 500 replaced the Goodyear 400 on the schedule due to the result of the Ferko lawsuit.

2005: Second Xfinity Date Removed

In 2005, the second Xfinity date was removed due to the Ferko lawsuit.

2006: Brasington Grandstand Demolished and Replaced

In 2006, the old Brasington Grandstand in turn two was demolished and replaced with a new 6,300-seat grandstand, adding approximately 3,000 seats for a recorded capacity of 62,000.

2008: Track Repaving and Tunnel Addition Completed

In 2008, the complete repaving of the track and the addition of an infield tunnel were completed in time for the Dodge Challenger 500.

April 2013: Potential Plans to Widen Seats

In April 2013, Wile stated potential plans to widen seats, which would reduce capacity to under 60,000.

2014: Southern 500 Moved to April

In 2014, the Southern 500 was moved to April.

2015: Southern 500 Returns to Labor Day Weekend

In 2015, the Southern 500 returned to its traditional Labor Day weekend date.

2015: SAFER Barriers Added

In 2015, the track added approximately 4,600 ft (1,400 m) of SAFER barriers in response to Kyle Busch's injury at Daytona International Speedway.

June 2016: Wile Transfers to Daytona, Tharp Appointed President

In June 2016, Wile was transferred to become the president of Daytona International Speedway, and NASCAR's Kerry Tharp replaced Wile as president of Darlington Raceway.

February 2018: $7 Million Renovation Project

In February 2018, a $7 million renovation project aimed at renovating the track's Tyler, Wallace, and Colvin grandstands was announced.

August 2018: Renovation Project Completed, Capacity Reduced

By August 2018, the $7 million renovation project was completed, reducing the track's capacity to 47,000.

2018: Track Capacity Listed at 58,000

In 2018, the track's listed capacity was stated to be 58,000.

2019: Ownership Changed to NASCAR

In 2019, ownership of Darlington Raceway changed to NASCAR after the sanctioning body bought out ISC.

May 2021: Fastest Official Race Lap Records Listed

As of May 2021, the fastest official race lap records at Darlington Raceway are listed.

2021: Venue Capacity

As of 2021, Darlington Raceway has a capacity of 47,000, according to The State.

2021: Goodyear 400 Reinstated

In 2021, the Goodyear 400 was reinstated on the Cup Series schedule.

2021: Second Xfinity Date Readded

In 2021, the second Xfinity date was readded to the Darlington Raceway schedule.

June 2023: Tharp Announces Retirement, Harris Succeeds

In June 2023, Kerry Tharp announced his retirement at the end of the 2023 NASCAR season, with Josh Harris succeeding Tharp as president.

2025: Second Xfinity Date Removed Again

In 2025, the second Xfinity date was removed again from the Darlington Raceway schedule.

Mentioned in this timeline

California is the most populous US state located on the...

News encompasses current events disseminated through various media including oral...

Xfinity a brand of Comcast Corporation launched in provides consumer...

A car or automobile is a wheeled motor vehicle designed...

Kyle Busch is a highly successful American stock car racing...

Daytona International Speedway located in Daytona Beach Florida is a...