Smack: Darlington back from extinction with race

Editor's Note: The Track Smack gang got together on Wednesday afternoon, before Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced he would have a news conference Thursday morning.

1) What does Darlington's success in selling out three consecutive Mother's Day Weekend events mean?

David Caraviello: It means everything to a facility that for a decade struggled to sell out and lived with the uncertainty of what might happen. And it gives NASCAR some needed street cred with traditional fans.

Raygan Swan: Starting in 2005 the track added drivers' moms as honorary starters, which I think is a wonderful element that has added to the show and likely ticket sales.

Dave Rodman: It means a lot of things. Proves that Mother's Day and NASCAR can co-exist; proves that a good-weather date, even on a traditional non-racing weekend can thrive, which is something The Rock never really had a shot at.

David Caraviello: I think the Mother's Day angle here is overblown. It didn't work before because the effort wasn't put into it. Fans will show up for a race on Christmas on the moon if it's promoted properly.

Dave Rodman: To really tell, we'd have to rotate that date around to a number of other tracks and see how they did. Make it a lottery. If you succeed, you stay on the schedule, if not ...

Raygan Swan: So Mother's Day festivities are overblown, meaning they aren't a big deal at the track for fans and mothers?

David Caraviello: The track ties them in nicely. But as far as it being a key in the track's success -- if anything, it's the other way around.

Dave Rodman: And this year, proves the COT might be gaining more widespread acceptance among the fandom. It's either acceptance, or the Coliseum dwellers want to see the "Lady in Black" tear those homely suckers apart.

Raygan Swan: Why do they call the track "Lady in Black?" Something to do with the tire marks on the walls? Explain.

David Caraviello: Because if you don't treat her right, you'll pay for it. Very much like the last woman I dated.

Raygan Swan: Wow, David!

Dave Rodman: Dark. Sinister. Deadly. Treacherous. Need I go on?

Raygan Swan: Nope.

David Caraviello: It works because it's a Saturday night race under the lights at a facility where there's typically plenty of action. It works for the same reason Bristol and Richmond work.

Dave Rodman: To a degree, I think people have seen The Rock is gone and it ain't coming back. So they'd better support this one. But David, I think you're dead-on with the Saturday night's all right for fighting ... uh, racing, aspect. (Continued)