Darlington fights to keep two races

Elwood · March 23, 2004

By PETE IACOBELLI, AP Sports Writer

March 23, 2004

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- Despite the excitement of treacherous and competitive racing, the future of Darlington Raceway as a Nextel Cup venue remains unknown.

There promises to be a lot of excitement when the Nextel Cup series returns to ``The Track Too Tough To Tame'' in eight months for the next-to-last event of the season. Whether Darlington can keep its two race dates into 2005 -- a question first posed by NASCAR's former CEO Bill France Jr. before the 2003 season -- is still something no one can answer.

``This track has been on the bubble the past seven or eight years,'' said NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter, Darlington's former president.

And that status probably will continue despite the track doing about everything it could the past year to make itself relevant in NASCAR's modern era of growth.

The track just finished its second straight thrilling spring race. Jimmie Johnson beat Bobby Labonte out of the pits by inches and held on for his first Darlington victory Sunday in the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400.

That came a year after a true NASCAR classic, when Ricky Craven edged Kurt Busch by .002 seconds in the closest finish since the circuit went to electronic timing in 1993.

Track officials completed several costly improvements the past 12 months -- an expanded trackside museum, the so-called soft-wall barriers and a lighting project set to debut in November.

Track president Andrew Gurtis greeted a crowd Sunday of 65,000, which he called the largest in the history of Darlington's spring event. In the fall, Darlington is expected to have its second straight Southern 500 sellout.

Still, advancements at the 54-year-old track might not mean much when the bottom line can be easily topped in Texas, Las Vegas, Chicago or Kansas City.

``It's all, 'What does it translate to in dollars?''' Hunter said. ``Will a big crowd here in March warrant keeping a date here or the prospect of a much bigger crowd somewhere else warrant moving one of those dates? And that's a question I can't answer.''

Talk like that doesn't come easily for Hunter, a South Carolinian who played football for the Gamecocks and cut his racing teeth at Darlington with stars such as Fireball Roberts and David Pearson.

Hunter once said, ``If I'm drowning, I'm going to say, 'Glub, glub, keep two races at Darlington.'''

Gurtis doesn't think Darlington's time has passed. The past year has proved that, he said.

``I think if it was strictly down to a business decision, we'd be hosting one race right now,'' he said. ``The marks that we've got to hit to keep two major races coming here are attendance and sponsorship and great racing. And you know what? We hit the trifecta.''

Just like three weeks ago at Darlington's sister track, North Carolina Speedway at Rockingham, rumors swirled about the future of ``The Lady in Black.'' Some seem to think the Southern 500, whose Labor Day weekend date went to California Speedway, will be given back its summertime event -- run at night -- while losing its spring race.

``Our long-term fate is probably out of our hands,'' Gurtis said. ``That's all we can do.''

It will definitely be a happening in November when the lights go on at Darlington. The Craftsman Truck Series gets to race the first night event Nov. 12, two days before the Southern 500. The Nextel Cup start time of 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14 should mean the event will finish under the lights.

Track officials teased fans at Friday's qualifying, lighting up the start-finish line. The main wiring will be completed in time for Aug. 24, when Darlington brings together three of its biggest winners -- Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Jeff Gordon -- for a night demonstration.

99GoldSilverado · March 23, 2004

I heard that the problem is attendance. Seems there isn't enough to do in the Darlington area other than the events at the track (ie. not a lot of $ being spent outside the track).

I really think they should stop screwing with the schedule and continue to race at the classic tracks. If NASCAR (or their sponsors) want more races in major markets, just add more dates. I'm sure those guys wouldn't mind racing through December.

tmf6902 · March 23, 2004

Another example of how NASCAR is thinking more about the bottom line, than the fans.

I know a way to make it even more competitive.....as much as I dislike Gordon, it was a shame to see him taken out like he was on Sunday by a rookie. Cut down the field some, so there's more room to race. and for god's sake....let dale RACE THE BIG BROWN TRUCK

antig24 · March 23, 2004

I read somewhere that California will get another race date, and then Darlington and Rockingham will alternate who gets a 2nd date each year. I personally hope they don't take away a date from Darlington or the Rock. Maybe NA$CAR will listen to what the fans say someday....

antig24 · March 23, 2004

I guess I had the story messed, Texas and vegas would each get a 2nd race date, and the the rock and darlington would alternate for one race year.

Settlement negotiations in a lawsuit over a second Nextel Cup date for Texas Motor Speedway have potentially major ramifications for two tracks in the Carolinas, The Observer has learned. A source close to talks in a suit against NASCAR by two Speedway Motorsports Inc. [sMI] shareholders said Monday a settlement could result in International Speedway Corp. selling both North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham and Darlington Raceway to SMI. If such a deal were made, two of three remaining Cup dates from Rockingham and Darlington would move – one to Texas Motor Speedway and the other to Las Vegas Motor Speedway, giving those SMI-owned tracks two dates each per season. The other date would alternate between Rockingham and Darlington, with the Nextel Cup, Busch and Truck series racing at Rockingham one year then at Darlington the next [so much for lights and SAFER]. "I am aware of the (settlement) talks," SMI chairman Bruton Smith said Monday. "I think that they have been going on for about two months, and they're further down the road than they ever have been. But there will have to be a written agreement among all of the attorneys before there's any done deal." Smith said that in his mind any settlement of the suit would have to include a second Cup date for Texas. "That's certainly the key to it, that's why it was filed," he said.(more at ThatsRacin.com)(3-23-2004)

Worktruck · March 23, 2004

.as much as I dislike Gordon, it was a shame to see him taken out like he was on Sunday by a rookie.

IMO. Gordon wasn't taken out by a rookie but by a past champion that doesn't like anyone to hinder his path around a race track. Gordon was taken out the second time Stewart spun the guy that got in his way.

Elwood · March 24, 2004

That was definately Stewart's fault, and it happened more than once Sunday.

As for the schedule, I have no problem with taking away one of two dates from a track to give a date to a brand new track in order to expand the market, but I hate seeing new tracks get 2 dates and old tracks losing one. I say just race at each track once a year, except for Daytona, and have more tracks. They could still race 32 weekends with 31 different tracks. Then they could bring back North Wilkesboro, as well as add some new short tracks.

TROYROBO · March 24, 2004

i went to darlington sunday--first time at that track--really liked the place- -i will go there for as long as i live in s.c.--brings my total up to 10 tracks that i have been too