Posted on by Staff Report

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Editor’s Note: This story first ran on NASCAR.com on September 2, 2015 ahead of last season’s throwback race at Darlington Raceway.

The unique, oblong layout of Darlington Raceway was made by design in 1949, a year before it welcomed NASCAR’s big leagues for its first 500-mile race. How it happened is no small fish tale, in a manner of speaking.


When Harold Brasington purchased 70 acres of land from farm owner Sherman Ramsey for the site of NASCAR’s first superspeedway, there was one condition — Ramsey requested that the minnow pond on his property not be disturbed. The result was a set of turns on one end of the track that was tighter than the opposite end, which gives the track its distinctive egg shape.


The abstract layout continues to challenge NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs alike, some 65-plus years after its debut. Among the track’s many traditions is the “Darlington Stripe,” a black tire mark created from cars’ frequent brushes along the outside retaining wall.


RELATED: See the best Darlington Stripes in NASCAR history


Kyle Petty — who had a history of futility on the 1.366-mile track, with zero top-five finishes in 51 Cup starts at Darlington — famously quipped in an ESPN interview after a crash that the track would be better served to be filled with water for bass fishing. Had that unlikely conversion ever happened, Petty would have had a ready source for bait in Ramsey’s pond.


The track, known as “The Lady in Black,” has also been known as one that is “Too Tough to Tame” and is one of the more unique configurations in NASCAR and will provide quite the challenge for drivers in both the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on Labor Day weekend. The XFINITY Series VFW Sports Clips Help A Hero 200 is on Sept. 3 (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 is on Sept. 4 (6 p.m. ET, NBC, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Posted on by H.A. Branham

RELATED: All the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award finalists


Call it an epiphany which previously was an epiphany-in-waiting.


Parker White already had a deep-rooted awareness of the challenges many families face in providing basic necessities for their children. When she became a mother herself, that awareness shot to a new level.


And that led to action, and the 2010 establishment by White of Greensboro, North Carolina-based “BackPack Beginnings,” an organization that strives to provide nutritious food, clothing, and other essentials to children in need, in the Greensboro and High Point, North Carolina area.


“When I was living a number of years ago in Washington, D.C. I had seen a news report at some point about back-pack programs and it definitely had an impact on me, as I had no idea there was such a need,” White, 37, said. “I remember thinking what a neat way that seemed to be, to help children.


“It didn’t go much further than that — until I had my daughter, my first-born. It all changed for me after that when I saw how reliant and dependent she was on me for everything. From there, I couldn’t shake the feeling of what parents who didn’t have the resources and couldn’t provide for their children were doing.


“We moved to Greensboro when my daughter was about nine months old and over the course of the next six to nine months … I just could not shake the thoughts. I have a strong faith and I really felt God was calling me to do something.”


White, who is from Greensboro, is one of four finalists for The NASCAR Foundation’s 2016 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Presented by Nationwide. The award will be presented by France — The NASCAR Foundation’s Chairwoman Emeritus and founder — on Sept. 27 during the inaugural Honors Gala at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The foundation will donate $100,000 to the charity represented by the award winner and $25,000 to each of the other three finalists’ charities. The award winner will be determined via an online vote now underway and running through Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. ET at www.NASCAR.com/Award.


In only six-and-a-half years, after initially identifying a need in the Greensboro/High Point region, White has led an impressive expansion of BackPack Beginnings’ services, which are centered on working with local schools to open food and clothing pantries, donate backpacks filled with blankets and school supplies, and provide comfort and hygiene items. During this period, BackPack Beginnings’ presence has grown from one school to 26, with more than 2,500 children being fed each week through the food pantries. During the organization’s first six years more than 650,000 pounds of food, 5,000 backpacks and 20,000 clothing articles have been distributed.



BackPack Beginnings’ goal is to help children thrive in their school environment, where hardships can be magnified. A child who is undernourished or without adequate school supplies likely will also face social stigmas among their peers.


BackPack Beginnings operates as a volunteer organization, allowing the vast majority of donations to go straight to the children in need.


White in an appropriate finalist for a NASCAR award. Her brother-in-law is a former jack man in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. And Greensboro, of course, annually is one of the hottest markets for NASCAR in the country.


“I never imagined we would be where we are now,” White said. “It just took our community rallying around this idea. I had no foresight that this was going to happen like this. It’s just such a blessing for the community and for my life.


“We definitely want the kids to feed them, have them ready to learn,” White said. “We want to give them clothes, give them confidence. We want to give these kids a better chance to succeed in life by doing well in school.”

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John Cooper served as track president at both Daytona and Indianapolis.

“On behalf of NASCAR and the entire France family, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the friends and family of John Cooper. John served in many motorsports roles throughout his life, including president of two of the most iconic race tracks in the world — Daytona International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But beyond any of his exemplary career stops, there was one role that was personally even more important — dear friend. John was a cherished confidant of both my father and my grandfather. My family has relied on his counsel — both personally and professionally speaking — countless times. We are all saddened by his passing, and will miss John dearly.”

Posted on by Track Release

RELATED: See all the paint schemes | Vote for your favorite

 

DARLINGTON, S.C. — Cale Yarborough once again will be driving on the legendary high banks of Darlington Raceway.

 

On Sunday, Sept. 4, Yarborough, a South Carolina native and NASCAR Hall of Famer, will pace the field as the honorary pace car driver for the 67th running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500.

 

“This is quite an honor and I’m really looking forward to being the honorary pace car driver for the Bojangles’ Southern 500,” Yarborough said. “The Southern 500 is the reason I got into racing. When I saw my first one, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Darlington is a tough, ol’ race track that can give you fits. When I was racing, I wanted to win the Southern 500 more than any other race. I still get goose bumps when I drive by the race track. I just may have to run a few laps and show those young folks how it’s done.”

 

Yarborough has five career wins at his hometown track, all coming in the Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978 and 1982).

 

Yarborough won three consecutive NASCAR premier series championships from 1976-78. He also won four Daytona 500 races and posted 83 career NASCAR Cup Series victories with 69 career pole awards.

 

Yarborough also will be honored by Darlington Raceway with a special ceremony during the Bojangles’ Southern 500 race weekend for his contributions to the sport.

 

Additionally, he will participate in the Bojangles’ Legends Breakfast Sunday morning (Sept. 4), along with other NASCAR Hall of Fame members. He was elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2012.

 

The Tradition Continues on Labor Day weekend as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500® is set for Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 (6 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90). The NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 will race Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016 (3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, MRN, SiriusXM Ch. 90).

 

You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame. Fans are encouraged to post their Bojangles’ Southern 500 stories and memories at #TraditionContinues, #BojanglesSo500 and #SportClips200.

 

Darlington Raceway has been recognized by the following:

• 2016 SportsBusiness Journal “Sports Event of the Year” Nominee

• 2015 NMPA Myers Brothers Award

• 2015 NASCAR Marketing Team of the Year

• 2015 NASCAR Track PR Representative of the Year (Dennis Worden)

• 2015 Community Pride Award (presented by the Greater Darlington Chamber of Commerce)

Posted on by Nascar

RELATED: Latest updates, timeline of Dale Jr.’s recovery

BRISTOL, Tenn. — The first time he met Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon never imagined that he would one day drive in relief for his Hendrick Motorsports teammate.

Yet here Saturday night, Gordon will do just that, suiting up for the fourth consecutive race to drive the organization’s No. 88 Chevrolet in place of Earnhardt in the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Earnhardt has been sidelined since mid-July due to concussion-like symptoms and the timing of his return has yet to be determined.

Their first meeting came in the mid 1990s at North Wilkesboro Speedway when Gordon and Dale Earnhardt, Earnhardt Jr.’s father, were at the top of their game. The elder Earnhardt was already a legendary figure in the sport; Gordon was on his way to becoming one.

The cheering and jeering of the Earnhardt and Gordon fans was a weekly occurrence at tracks across the country. That the two would go on to become both friends and business associates seemed unfathomable to those in the grandstands.

“I remember sitting there on pit road and Dale Sr. and he came walking by … it was the first time I ever met (Junior),” Gordon told NASCAR.com recently. “They were getting ready to qualify; I don’t remember if he was driving a Late Model maybe … I don’t exactly remember but I knew he’d been doing some racing and was building some momentum.

“I remember that he was very respectful. It was cool to meet him and then shortly after that see him rise as quick as he did.”

Gordon “retired” from competition at the end of 2015, with four series titles and 93 career victories. The last time he visited Bristol, he was working in the television booth, just two months into his new role as a FOX NASCAR analyst.

RELATED: Remembering some of the top moments at Bristol

Now, he’s back behind the wheel at a track where he notched five wins and five of 81 career poles.

Hendrick officials announced July 14 that doctors had not cleared Earnhardt Jr. to compete the following weekend at New Hampshire. Alex Bowman stepped in and finished 26th in his only start with the team.

Gordon took over the driving duties for races at Indianapolis (13th), Pocono (27th) and most recently Watkins Glen (14th).

Getting back in the car, and the No. 88 in particular, was an unusual feeling for Gordon although the 45-year-old certainly garnered his share of the spotlight throughout his career.

“I knew it was a big story,” he said of the return, “but still until you’re living it and the reality of it is there, you don’t know how your heart’s going to beat, how your hands are going to sweat. That first time on track at Indy, I was sweating. And not just because of the heat.

“It would be different if I had been out for one week or two weeks. But I’d been out for eight months. I hadn’t really driven this package. There’s added pressure because of the situation, it being Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s car. To me the pressure was more about the performance.”

Earnhardt, who also missed two races in 2012 after suffering a concussion, is a two-time champion in NASCAR’s XFINITY Series and has 26 Sprint Cup victories. His absence from competition has seen him fall from 13th to 21st in the points standings.

His move to the XFINITY Series (then Busch Grand National) is one Gordon hasn’t forgotten either. Earnhardt made one start in the series ’96 and eight in ’97 before going full-time the following season.

“I went to see Dale Sr. about some business and he said ‘Hey come check out Dale Jr.’s car for Watkins Glen,” Gordon said. “… I looked at the car and remember it wasn’t fancy, wasn’t some super premium piece of equipment. The shifter on it was so long. Total old school. At that point we had been making really nice transmissions, road course cars, short shifters and all those things.”

Gordon said he took the opportunity for a bit of friendly ribbing.

“I gave Senior a hard time,” he said. “I was like ‘What’s this? You’re going to make him go to Watkins Glen in this? That shifter is just wrong. This car is not at all what he deserves.'”

Earnhardt wasn’t swayed by the comments, according to Gordon.

“He goes, ‘Oh no. I’m going to make him work for it. He’s not going to have it easy; he’s going to work on it himself. I’m not going give him the best equipment. He’s not going to learn anything being in the best equipment. He’s going to have to drive some mediocre equipment so he can learn.’

“And I thought that was pretty cool.”

Posted on by Holly Cain

Whether racing toy cars or speeding down a slide, 1-year old Owen Larson has shown himself a natural in front of the camera in much the same way his father Kyle has proven to be ready-made for competing in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series ranks.

Thanks to Target, everyone will get the opportunity to see Owen Larson’s perpetual grin and infectious laugh as he, along with his mom, Katelyn Sweet and dad star in upcoming commercials featuring the Huggies “Little Movers” diapers, which seem almost custom-made for Owen and a large assortment of toddler-age kiddos charming the NASCAR motor home lot each week.

“It fits all our lifestyles, everything we do,” Sweet said of the made-for-moving diapers the family is helping tout. “They make things a lot easier, that’s for sure.”

Added Kyle of Owen’s commercial debut, “It wasn’t much more than us playing with him. The videos turned out really neat and it will be nice to have them forever. Every parent loves to have pictures and videos of their kids but when they are professionally done like that, it’s pretty cool.

“He’s been around cameras enough already in his short life, we knew he would be a natural.”

Target, the longtime primary sponsor on Larson’s Chip Ganassi Racing No. 42 Chevrolet, has partnered with the third-year Sprint Cup Series driver to help promote the Huggies brand of “active”-wear diapers favored by the youngest member of this high-speed family.

Larson’s No. 42 Chevrolet will sport the Huggies “Little Movers” paint scheme this week at Bristol Motor Speedway and the partnership couldn’t be more authentic.

You think the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie of the Year Larson is fast on wheels, you should see his son in diapers — especially after being well-rested after a long, hearty nap.

“We woke him up a little early,” Sweet said, of the commercial shoot. “He was a little camera shy at first, so we got the gummies out (to encourage him). I told them (the camera crew), ‘He’s going to warm up.’ And sure enough he did. That’s how he is with anybody.

“Anybody that he sees, he’s a little bit shy, but then you show him a race car or some attention and he’s your best friend. He made it really fun for us once he got to know everybody.”

That is evident in the video advertisements that show Owen playfully running from Larson and entertaining his mom.

“He was in a great mood all the time,” Larson said. “He had just woken up from a nap and whenever he does that he’s super energetic and happy.”

And it turned out filming the commercials at the Larson’s Charlotte area home was the easy part — Owen proving himself such a natural.

The toddler’s parents, however, found out when it came to filming a diaper changing contest, they had to work a little more.

Both Katelyn and Kyle said that they expected Katelyn to be faster on this version of a pit stop. But the ultra-competitive Larson proved to be surprisingly swift.

“I thought for sure she’d beat me by 10 seconds, and I beat her by a couple. It’s a huge victory,” Larson said, laughing.

The end result of the advertisements is an endearing glimpse into the kind of fast-paced, well-loved life the young family leads.

“Owen is busy and I’m busy, too, so put the two together and we’re super busy,” Sweet said. “He loves to be outside so as much as we can be outside, playing and running around, that’s what we do. We’re always on the move.”

Posted on by Staff Report

MORE: Race results | Standings | Chase Grid

 

Ben Kennedy, great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France and son of Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation and Vice Chairperson of NASCAR, won his first career NASCAR national series race on Wednesday night, picking up the victory in the Camping World Truck Series UNOH 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

The GMS Racing driver received a flood of attention on Twitter, where NASCAR Nation was quick to congratulate him on the momentous occasion.

 

Posted on by Staff Report

RELATED: Live weather updates | Views from Wednesday at Bristol


The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ UNOH 200 (200 laps, 106.6 miles) is under delay following a burst of rain and thunderstorms that hit Bristol Motor Speedway and surrounding areas Wednesday. 


The event was scheduled for a 8:30 p.m. ET green flag, but NASCAR was unable to get the event underway on time as Air Titans continue to dry the .533-mile short track. 


Earlier, Tyler Reddick earned the 21 Means 21 Pole Award after posting the quickest lap during the three-round qualifying session. The No. 29 Brad Keselowski Racing wheelman will line up alongside Joe Gibbs Racing‘s Daniel Suarez.


Cameron Hayley, Ben Rhodes and Christopher Bell complete the starting top five while series points leader — and five-time 2016 winner — William Byron will start sixth.