This is a clip from a TV special I made back in the mid-1980s. It was part of a series for Turner Broadcasting called Portrait Of America. The series style fit my style. Not to attack people but to honor the best of who they were. South Carolina was a choice state to get to explore because of its cultural diversity. Here is tthe entire film -
• A Beautiful Look At Th...
Darlington Raceway famously known as "The Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame," is a premier motorsports facility located in Darlington, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the most revered and challenging tracks in the NASCAR circuit due to its unique shape and the demanding nature of its surface. The track's history, character, and track record highlight its importance in the world of motorsports.
Darlington Raceway was built in 1949 by Harold Brasington, who envisioned a superspeedway for stock car racing, making it the first of its kind in NASCAR's history. The land on which the track was built was a former peanut farm, which presented unique challenges during construction. Brasington designed the track as an egg-shaped oval to maintain a promise to the landowner that the minnow pond on the property would not be disturbed, leading to the distinctive shape that challenges drivers to this day.
Darlington Raceway is known for its unique, asymmetrical shape. The track measures 1.366 miles (2.198 km) in length, with turns 1 and 2 being narrower and tighter than turns 3 and 4. This layout requires drivers to adapt their racing lines and strategies throughout the race, making it a true test of skill and endurance.
The track's surface is also notoriously abrasive, wearing down tires faster than most other tracks on the NASCAR circuit. This characteristic, combined with the track's shape, earns it the nickname "The Lady in Black," as it's known to "stripe" the sides of cars with black marks from brushing against the wall, a badge of honor among drivers.
Over the years, Darlington Raceway has been the site of many significant moments in NASCAR history. It has undergone several renovations and updates to improve safety and spectator experience, but its challenging nature has remained unchanged.
One of the most notable track records at Darlington was set by Ward Burton in 1996, who posted a qualifying lap speed of 173.797 mph, a record that stood for many years as a testament to the speed potential of the track despite its difficulty.
Darlington has also been a place of milestones, including the first 500-mile race in NASCAR history (the inaugural Southern 500 in 1950) and significant wins by legends of the sport such as Richard Petty, David Pearson, Dale Earnhardt, and Jeff Gordon among others.
The track continues to be a staple in the NASCAR series, hosting annual races that are critical to the championship standings. Its rich history and the respect it commands from drivers and fans alike cement Darlington Raceway's status as a hallowed ground in motorsports.
Cale Yarborough is a legendary figure in NASCAR history, known for his incredible driving skills and fierce competitiveness. Born on March 27, 1939, in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Yarborough is one of the most successful drivers in the sport's history.
Yarborough's accomplishments are numerous, but he is perhaps best known for his remarkable achievements at the Darlington Raceway, particularly at the Southern 500, one of NASCAR's crown jewel races. He made history by winning the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway five times (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978, and 1982). This feat is especially notable given the challenging nature of the Darlington track. Its unique shape and abrasive surface have tested the skills of many drivers, making Yarborough's multiple victories there were all the more impressive.
In addition to his success at Darlington, Yarborough's career was filled with other significant achievements. He won three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships (1976, 1977, and 1978), a feat that was unprecedented at the time and has only been matched by a few drivers since. Over his career, he won 83 Cup Series races, placing him near the top of the all-time wins list.
Yarborough's aggressive driving style and his willingness to push himself and his car to the limit helped define NASCAR during the 1970s and early 1980s. His contributions to the sport have been recognized with numerous honors, including induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.
Off the track, Cale Yarborough's legacy includes his work as a team owner and his contributions to promoting NASCAR. His passion for racing and his success on the track have made him an enduring icon of the sport.
9 апр 2024
