Darlington track goes with retro look for Southern 500

First time walls painted red and white since 1989 event

By Official Release
April 20, 2009
12:43 PM EDT

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DARLINGTON, S.C. -- When spectators and competitors arrive at Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500 on May 9 everyone will notice one distinct difference -- red and white retaining walls surrounding the track "Too Tough to Tame."

"Giving the most famous walls on the NASCAR circuit a retro facelift seemed very fitting as part of our 60th celebration," said track president, Chris Browning. "This is the first time since 1989 that the walls have been painted anything but white and it certainly reminds me of the early days of NASCAR racing."

The walls are painted in 40-foot sections alternating red and white and took nearly 50 hours and 315 gallons of paint to complete. In addition to the red-and-white paint scheme, a retro font was used for the Darlington Raceway signage at the start/finish line.

Asked if he thought the new red-and white-paint scheme would make for a kinder, gentler wall, Browning responded: "Ask Pearson or Yarborough how forgiving the walls were when they were racing here, but I know we will still see plenty of Darlington stripes in 2009."

Darlington Raceway, or the track "Too Tough to Tame" as it is known to many, is where the purest of NASCAR competition meets true Southern hospitality. A NASCAR staple since 1950, Darlington has seen some of motorsports most talented drivers thunder to Victory Lane. In 2009, a NASCAR tradition -- the Southern 500 -- will return as Darlington Raceway celebrates 60 Seasons of Racing.