Darlington Raceway

About the Venue

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Darlington Raceway’s first race was the Southern 500, on Labor Day 1950, and not much was expected from the fledgling NASCAR series. No more than 10,000 fans were expected, but a crowd of over 25,000 showed up to the 1-1/4-mile egg-shaped oval.

Plans originally called for a true oval, but the racetrack's design had to be changed in order to satisfy a local landowner who did not want his nearby minnow pond disturbed. The west end of the track (Turns 3 and 4) was narrowed to accommodate the fishing hole, creating Darlington's egg-shaped design.

Due to that unique design, Darlington Raceway is known as the track "Too Tough to Tame."

It is still considered the original superspeedway and is a pillar of the NASCAR establishment. There are few other sporting facilities in the world with more history and tradition than Darlington Raceway, which has aged gracefully over the years but retained its feisty charm.

Thanks to that charm, which has drawn fans back to the egg-shaped oval year after year, the Darlington Raceway celebrated its golden anniversary with the 50th running of the Mountain Dew Southern 500. Still, nobody loves the feisty track more than the drivers.

With major improvements to the fan experience, including construction of two state-of-the-art grandstands, Darlington Raceway is an ultra-modern facility that remains true to the ideas of what NASCAR racing should be about, fast, intense action for the fans.

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City Guide

Darlington

Centrally located in northeastern South Carolina, Darlington is 15 miles north of Florence and 80 miles from Myrtle Beach, a popular vacation and golfing destination. Locals are proud of the area's history, including the notable "Darlington War," a revolt fought in 1894 against liquor regulations.

One  intriguing local legends is about Harold Brasington and his dream to make Darlington the center of the stock car universe. He won the land for the racetrack on a play of cards and began building Darlington Raceway, the country’s oldest paved superspeedway.

Today, Agriculture continues to be the mainstay of Darlington County; cotton was king until dethroned after World War I by flue-cured tobacco, which was introduced to Darlington planters in the late 1880s.

Darlington County Plantations

Most of the plantations in Darlington County grew cotton.  There are still few surviving examples of the early plantations in Darlington County including; Elysian Fields, Hartsville, Kalmia, Oaklyn, Plumfield and Poor Buckra Cut.

Getting to Darlington

Florence Regional Airport (www.florencescairport.com) is the regional airport that services the Darlington area.  Major carriers include Delta/Atlantic Southeast Airlines and US Airways (most flights connect through the region's major airports).

FRA is serviced by several major car rental agencies; including: Avis, Budget, Hertz and Enterprise.  In addition, there are bus routes directly from the airport to Darlington Raceway.  Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA) (www.pdrta.org/routes.html).

Driving Distances
Darlington is within driving distance of several major cities in the region:

Augusta, GA, 150 miles
Charleston, 150 miles
Charlotte, NC, 100 miles
Columbia, 75 miles
Denver, CO, 1,700 miles
Fayetteville, NC, 90 miles
Myrtle Beach, 80 miles
Raleigh, NC, 150 miles
Savannah, GA, 185 miles

What to Do

Liberty Lane

This beautiful outdoor area houses the Walk of Fame, honoring NASCAR drivers who have won at Darlington Raceway. Visitors can compare their hands with greats like as Neil Bonnett, Dale Earnhardt, Bill Elliott, Harry Gant and Richard Petty who have left their handprints in the cement of the Lane.

National Motorsports Press Association Stock Car Hall of Fame / Joe Weatherly Museum

Located at Darlington Raceway, the museum houses an extensive collection of historical stock cars and stock car memorabilia. A small theater provides footage of some of Darlington's and NASCAR's most exciting moments. Kiosks provide information about the drivers that made their mark on the track and on the sport. One of the most amazing displays is the 1991 Chevy Lumina (or what's left of it) that Darrel Waltrip crashed and rolled. Mon-Sat 9-5pm; Sun 1-5pm; $3.

The Darlington County Historic Commission

The building, built as one of Franklin D. Roosevelt's W.P.A. projects, was built in 1937 as a jail. Today, it serves as home to the county’s archives and extensive genealogical records. The Commission walls are adorned with rare photographs of the area along with other artifacts. Mon-Fri 9-5pm; Free.

Historic Homes And Buildings Of Darlington

From St. John's Elementary School (1818) to the Samuel Wilds House, Darlington's history can be told in the many historic churches, homes, and buildings around the town. Visitors can drive through the historic district or tour a historic tour.

Williamson Park

The 64-acre preserve is located on the edge of Darlington’s city limits. The park boasts a picnic area, swamp, cultured garden and a variety of wildlife. Williamson Park is a natural habitat for at least 230 species of plant life and a multitude of wildlife species including raccoons, possums, beavers, and several dozen species of birds. Open dawn to dusk.

Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve

A 2,275-acre preserve provides a habitat for four endangered species and many common native species.  Species including: river otters, beavers, bobcats, gray foxes, wood ducks, wild turkeys, osprey, hawks and four species of herons.  Seven miles of river snake through the preserve. Open dawn until dusk.

Darlington Raceway Car Hauler Parade and Racefest on the Square

This ceremony is held the Thursday before race day in anticipation of the race at Darlington Raceway. 25 stock car haulers from the NASCAR Busch Series, leave at 7:30PM from the Florence Civic Center, then parade along US Highway 52 to downtown Darlington. A festival follows on the Public Square, with food and souvenir vendors, a car show, a racing simulator and a fireworks display. For more information, 843-393-2641.

Black Creek Arts Center (www.blackcreekarts.org)

Changing visual art exhibits in the downstairs gallery; fully equipped clay studio, rental studios, photography studio with dark room upstairs. 10-noon and 1-4pm, Tues-Fri (closed Monday). 116 W College Ave, Hartsville, SC; 843-332-6234.

Browntown Museum (www.threerivershistoricalsociety.org)

Located in a small Lowcountry farmstead, Browntown Museum is typical of the homes of the antebellum South and stands as an example of the Southern way of life. The museum grounds include a cotton gin, corncrib, smokehouse, outhouse, and the Brown-Burrows house, built in 1845. Sunday 2-5pm; adults, $2; kids (6-12), $.50.

Darlington County Tourism Office

Information on walking and driving tours, agricultural or nature-based tours, historic sites, parks, gardens and other attractions in Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar, and Society Hill, South Carolina. 214 N Fifth ST, Hartsville, SC 29550. Mon-Fri 9-5pm.

Dooley Planetarium at Francis Marion University

A planetarium is an enclosed room used to simulate the celestial sky. This is done by means of a star projector and other smaller projectors for planets, the moon, the sun, and other astronomical features; it feels like you are standing outdoors in a large open field. Programs for the public are offered on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of each month at 3pm. Call 843-661-1381 for more information; Free.

Florence Museum of Art, Science & History

The Modern museum building features changing art exhibits, regional history, Asian, African, ancient Mediterranean and Southwest Pueblo Cultures. A 1917 locomotive is on site. The gardens of Timrod Park can be toured from the museum. The Florence Railroad Museum, at the corner of Irby St. and N.B. Baroody St., features a caboose and boxcar filled with railroad memorabilia. Art Museum; Tues-Sat 10-5pm; Sun 2-5pm; Railroad Museum Sat-Sun 2-5pm. $1; $3 maximum per family. Children accompanied by an adult are free.

Hartsville Museum (www.hartsvillemuseum.org)

The Hartsville Museum and the Sculpture Courtyard anchor the cultural plaza in downtown Hartsville. The museum, founded in 1980, is a local history museum. Housed in a 1930’s Post Office Building, the museum has kept many of the unique architectural features of the building.

The Sculpture Courtyard added in 2000 features many different types of sculpture. The Showcase Gallery presents special exhibits focusing on history, the arts or present day events. 222 North Fifth St, Hartsville, SC 29551; 843-383-3005. Mon-Fri 10-5pm, Sat 10-2pm, Mon-Fri 10-5pm, Sat 10-2pm; Free.

South Carolina Cotton Museum (www.sccotton.org)

An experienced tour guide will lead you through the 12,000 square foot building, pausing to describe numerous artifacts from South Carolina's Cotton Culture. Examine a Plantation Spinner, one of only seven in the United States, a 130 year old loom, and a three foot tall Boll Weevil while listening to "Tales of the Carolinians" and the plant that took them from prosperity to disaster, and back again. Located at 121 West Cedar Lane, Bishopville; 803-484 4497.  Adults, $5; Senior Citizens, $3; Students & Children (6-14), $2.00; Children under 6, Free.

South Carolina Tobacco Museum

South Carolina's official state tobacco museum depicts life on a tobacco farm prior to 1950. It is located in the center of town in the restored turn-of-the-century train depot. Permanent and changing exhibits feature vintage tobacco equipment, products, advertising, and art. 104 NE Front St, Mullins; 843-464-8194. Adults, $2; Students/Seniors, $1; Mon-Fri 9-5pm.

Williamsburg County Art Gallery

Victorian-era buildings feature revolving art exhibits. 108 W Main St, Kingstree; 843-355-7247. Mon, Wed and Fri 10-5pm; Free.

Williamson Park

This quiet park offers a three-mile boardwalk, five miles of nature trails, countless birds, and a statewide variety of plants and trees providing a most rewarding spot for hiking, nature study and a picnic. Spring St, Darlington. Daily from dawn to dusk, Free.

Shopping

Magnolia Mall (www.shopmagnoliamall.com)

This mall includes over 90 great specialty stores, as well as Belk, Best Buy, Sears and JC Penney. 2701 David McLeod Blvd, Florence, SC; 843-669-0725. Mon-Sat 10-9pm; Sun 1-6pm.