Darlington Lights Up Tonight!

[kat2220]

Darlington gets lit up for first time tonig

Cale Yarborough will abandon his bulldozer for a racecar tonight to help introduce venerable Darlington Raceway to night-time racing.

Rather than moving dirt to build a 30-acre pond on his nearby farm, Yarborough joins two others synonymous with both stock-car racing and Darlington — Jeff Gordon and David Pearson — for Darlington’s opening night under the newly installed lighting system.

Bobby Hamilton, king of the truck series that will introduce the track to night racing, will complete the star-spangled cast.

Admission and parking are free for the event that includes the NASCAR Live program from 7-8 p.m. The first laps will follow at 8:15. Gates open at 6 p.m. Only gates on the front stretch — those on the opposite side of the track from S.C. 34 — will be used.

 

[MRM]

I wish my cable was back on so I could see some highlight of this tonight.

 

[EatMorePossum]

End of an era. Another grand tradition bastardized in the name of newbie "fans" who'll be watching something else in three years.

 

[racerx11]

Hmmm Maybe if they installed lights at the Rock, they would still be racing there.

 

[EatMorePossum]

Originally posted by racerx11@Aug 24 2004, 01:33 PM
Hmmm Maybe if they installed lights at the Rock, they would still be racing there.

Everyone who believes that, I have some prime coastal property for you right outside Omaha.

NASCAR is de-Southernizing and nothing or no one is going to stop them. This year is the final Southern 500, also the final season with two Darlington races. Next year they get the most doomed weekend on the schedule as their only date. If that ain't writing on the wall, what is?

Mark it down. Only don't bother trying to find me to tell me how right I was. I'll be somewhere else watching a sport that cares about something besides a dollar made from a temporary audience. Since they no longer need the traditions and fans that made them what they are now, they don't need this one.

 

[muggle not]

Well, I for one kinda like night racing. It will surely be an historic event when they light up Darlington, one of the great tracks in Nascar.

I remember when they first used lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the controversy that surrounded it. My wife and I atternded the very first practice by Nascar under the lights at Charlotte and there was a great feeling in the air. I hope they never move the Winston night race from Charlotte as it is one of the most fun to watch.