NASCAR progress brings sadness to Darlington

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Cale Yarborough bows his head a little when thinking about his beloved home track, Darlington Raceway.

For more than a half-century, he and others in NASCAR's family spent Labor Day weekend here at the Southern 500. That ends Sunday, when the race slot held from the sport's earliest days shifts to the larger, newer California Speedway in 2004 for a nationally televised nighttime showcase.

"I don't know," said Yarborough, a five-time Southern 500 champion. "Progress has to be made. ... I tell you what, Labor Day weekend will never be the same again."

It won't be the same for race teams, who'll need more precious hours returning to their East Coast shops. It won't be the same for Darlington officials, who'll fight to sell a November race date to fans accustomed to tank tops and cookouts. It won't be the same for anyone who values tradition over modern megabucks.

"If you're a purist, and I am, Darlington has a lot to do with tradition," driver Ricky Craven said.

A tradition begins

It's been that way since Harold Brasington plowed over some farmland to build the 1.366-mile egg-shaped monstrosity. The first Southern 500 was run Sept. 4, 1950, with a field of 75 cars. Time trials lasted 15 days. The race took 6 hours, 38 minutes, with Johnny Mantz winning with an average speed of 75.250 mph.

Hall of Fame owner Bud Moore, competing in that historic race, recalls Mantz's car slowly making its way around the asphalt track without problems while other competitors were blowing tires right and left.

"That first race in 1950 will always be special," he said. "I can still see in my mind those 75 cars lined up three abreast to start the race."

Ever since, the track and the date have served as a touchstone for the formerly Southern-fried sport.

Kyle Petty, who once famously said they should turn the speedway back into a fishing pond because of his struggles there through the years, grew up playing baseball and football in Darlington's infield and watching his father, King Richard, win the Southern 500 in 1967.

"So, yeah, love it or hate it, that track is a big, big part of my life," the younger Petty said.

And a big part of NASCAR's history.

Bill Elliott earned the nickname "Dollar Bill" when he won the 1985 Southern 500 to complete the first Winston Million bonus by taking three of the sport's four crown jewel events.

David Pearson is the track's all-time winner with 10 victories.

The late Dale Earnhardt won six of 10 races there from 1986-90, including three Southern 500s. He also incredibly passed out at the wheel at the start of the race in 1997.

Recently, Jeff Gordon has created the most memorable moments. He won an unprecedented four straight Southern 500s from 1995-98, then tied Yarborough's mark of five with a win here last year.

"I know a lot of people are concerned with it moving off that Labor Day weekend, and that does end a long period of tradition," Petty said. "But we're still going to be there twice a year."

Race moved to November

Darlington president Andrew Gurtis expects the realigned dates -- the next Southern 500 will run Nov. 14, 2004 -- to bring a boost to an economically depressed region. Even without the race, Labor Day tourists will fill the area's hotels and restaurants, he said.

"If you still have a great Labor Day and then add a great November, it's got to be a net positive," Gurtis said.

The track typically brings $50 million a year to the region. About 60 percent of that comes from Labor Day weekend.

A race in the cool California night should continue NASCAR's remarkable growth spurt, says 1999 Southern 500 champ Jeff Burton. But he thinks it's a shame it comes at the expense of a NASCAR tradition.

"It's hot, it's slippery, it's slick, it's all those things and that's what makes the Southern 500 great," Burton said. "I do wish there was a way to keep it here on Labor Day weekend. On the other hand, we'll start some new traditions. It'll be OK."