Event Day Games Darlington Preview

by Andrew Marren
Event Day Games

This weekend’s trip to Darlington Raceway by the Sprint Cup Series is more than a journey to the sand hills of South Carolina; it’s truly a trip back to the roots of NASCAR racing. Like Daytona, it’s a track that every driver on the circuit wants to win. It’s a track steeped in history, from humble beginnings that caused it to be shaped like an egg in order to not disturb a local farmer’s minnow pond, to its light towers and freshly paved surface that make "The Lady in Black" one of NASCAR's shining modern stadiums. Its past winner reads like a who’s who of racers. Fireball Roberts, Joe Weatherly, Junior Johnson, David Pearson, Buddy Baker, Donnie Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Bill Elliott, Tim Richmond, Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon have all etched their name in its record book.

On track, this week will be all about survival. The question for all competitors won’t be if they’ll hit the wall but when will they'll hit it and how hard. Picking up an infamous Darlington Stripe is a badge of honor. For most, it will happen even before the green flag flies in either practice or qualifying. If the passenger side of the car stays clean, then there’s a good chance that’s the guy headed to victory lane.

If you’re looking for some favorites for the Southern 500, you can start with Jeff Gordon. In 28 starts, he’s recorded seven Darlington wins, and has lead 1,604 laps. Jimmie Johnson has two wins in 10 career starts with 7.4 being his average finish. Defending race winner Kyle Busch has an average finish of 17.0 in his 4 starts, but that didn't slow him any in 2008. Denny Hamlin has the highest average finish of any non winner at 6.3.

It certainly should be an interesting night, with tense fast paced action at the "Track Too Tough to Tame."

Join us this week at EventDayGames.com to play NASCAR's most unique fantasy game.