DARLINGTON HISTORIC RACING FESTIVAL TO RETURN IN 2009

DARLINGTON, S.C. January 27, 2009: After a successful Inaugural event, the Darlington Historic Racing Festival is set to return in 2009, announced Darlington Raceway President, Chris Browning.

The event will once again be run on a Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27. The event was moved from its original Labor Day weekend date to help accommodate more entries in 2009.

“The Inaugural Darlington Historic Racing Festival was a special event that allowed us to showcase the history of Darlington Raceway and oval-track racing,” said Browning. “We are looking forward to hosting the event again in 2009 and hope to have an even bigger turnout of car entries.”

The 2008 festival was highlighted with appearances by some of NASCAR’s all-time greats including: David Pearson, Junior Johnson, Darrell Waltrip, Buddy Baker, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Marvin Panch and many more.

In addition to legendary drivers several legendary cars were also on display, including four former Indianapolis 500 winning machines. A.J. Foyt’s first Indy 500 winning car – a 1961 Bowes Seal Fast Special No. 1 – was on-hand along with the car he won the 1977 Indy 500 in – his final Indy 500 win of his career. The 1951 winning car of Lee Wallard and the 1962 winning car of Roger Ward were also on-hand.

There was plenty for fans to see and do at the festival throughout the weekend. In addition to question and answer and autograph sessions with the NASCAR legends, over 125 cars were on display at the event with nearly 100 of the cars turning laps on the historic 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.

The 2009 event will again showcase a wide variety of race cars including: stock cars, Indy roadsters, modifieds, sprint cars and midgets. Several NASCAR legends will once again be in attendance to swap stories and interact with fans.

The two-day festival is slated to take place on September 26 and 27 with single day tickets available for $15 or two-day tickets for $25. Children 12 and under will once again be admitted for free.

Be a part of history when Darlington Raceway celebrates 60 years of racing in 2009. Tickets to the 2009 Southern 500®, as well as the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 are on-sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at DARLINGTON.