Darlington Raceway, the track "too tough to tame" is one of NASCAR's most revered facilities for many reasons. The 1.366 mile egg-shaped oval built in 1950, the first superspeedway, quickly attracted many Southern fans and thereafter apprehension from generations of stock car drivers. Its Labor Day event became a tradition in the area while other tracks began to lure bigger crowds.

As the sport grew with expanded T.V. coverage in recent years, Darlington attendance didn't keep up with the national popularity. Not long ago the challenging track had a gloomy future as NASCAR looked to close underperforming tracks for higher attendance tracks like Texas and California.

Economics often overpowers tradition, but Darlington was spared the disappearing-venue-syndrome by losing one race date and moving one date from Labor Day to Mother's Day. That move created a popular destination that has Southern moms smiling and Darlington administrators happy with sellout crowds. New stands pierced the South Carolina sky to accommodate the increase in ticket sales.

Previously Darlington struggled to fill to capacity owing in part to the lack of urban population of the area, a Dixie reality. But the rural atmosphere also gives the track part of its charm.

It could be said that mom's saved the day and in return Darlington has given NASCAR moms their day to go racing. It's a win-win for racing and mothers.

This year's Dodge Avenger 500 resulted in a rain-delayed win for Jeff Gordon as his mother, Carol Bickford, proudly watched her son perform.

During the summer of 2007 Darlington will construct a new tunnel to accommodate haulers into the infield thus eliminating track usage. The track will also get resurfacing.

Camping in the infield may include more motor coaches when a tunnel permits entry and exit during a racing weekend. The ice man will always have important deliveries to thirsty campers.