I had known about the frontstretch flip flop but had no idea how little things had been modified since that was done... Walking from once side to the other is like a time machine and you would have no idea while watching a race on TV! We have a whole new appreciation for the Darlington facility and the people who work there. Download Raid for free iOS/Android/PC ➡ t2m.io/Stapleton42_Raid and get 2 strong Epics+1 Legendary champion 🍀 Take part in the SpringHunt event and get your gift at springhunt.plarium.com 💎 Prizes include GAMING CONSOLES and Amazon gift cards with a total value of $10,000! 🔥 Additional bonus - after downloading Raid with my link redeem the code SPRINGHUNT24 to receive more rewards! ⌛ Hurry, this offer is available exclusively from April 15th to May 31 for both new and existing players 📱Link for IOS users to enter Raid Shadow Legends codes ▶ plarium.com/en/redeem/raid-shadow-legends/
I'm always impressed that a person right before & after WWII would think, "I am going to make a race track for the South, pave it better than Indianapolis (one of the few paved race tracks in America), and because Indy takes Memorial Day, I will take Labor Day and bookend the summer with the second great race, here in the middle of a field in South Carolina. And it will endure as the most prestigious race for decades and live forever. America has a lot of crazy ideas, but this has to be the craziest THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.
I had a chance to meet Russell today briefly. I was at the track for the truck race and they announced the weather was about to get really bad, so I was walking back to my car and a golf cart pulled up and it was Russell warning me about the weather. I told him I saw him in your video and enjoyed the stories. He got a big smile and shook my hand. Cool guy.
I was there in 1990 rooting for Davey Allison with Melling Racing in the garage. I got Dale Earnhardt and Davey Allison autograph then. Those were a great time to watch a race there.
The first NASCAR race I went to was at Darlington. We sat about 2 rows from the bottom close tov starting line on the old front stretch.We were in the"chicken bone" seats .We got rubber all over us,all you could see was a blur as the cars came by.Great fun.
Mate what a great tour love seeing the old and the new but especially integrating the old with the new what a fantastic tour. I’d love to come back to the states and visit Darlington myself here in Australia. We have an old superspeedway which doesn’t get used any more . I started as a suspension technician then car chief and crew chief on what we used to call here Auscars and NASCAR so I really appreciate your passion for the history of grassroots racing well done mate. PS Neil Barnett and Bobby Ellison came out here. What a honour to meet those two guys. . Neil Bonnett won the race and Bobby came second.
When I first started watching your channel a few years ago I enjoyed the drag racing and other build videos but man the shift to capturing these stories is awesome! Everyday the history of this amazing (even though I don't always like certain things that NASCAR does) sport is slowly dying off but thanks to you and Logan we are getting it catalogued to show future generations. Thanks for keeping the history alive! 💪🏻
I love the fact that Darlington Raceway tries to keep history items up and helps to show the younger fans what it was like in the old days. I only wish that there were more places that did this as the older people pass the younger people loose all the history of racing (or whatever). History is the reason that everything is the way it is (sounds dumb but it's the truth). Thanks for bringing us this. Later
In 1997, the year the start finish line was flipped, i attended the race at Darlington. I ordered tickets over the phone from Betty Jo and discovered when I came to pick them up that her last name was Yarborough. So old school to see racers wives helping out at the local track during big events :)
Been puny last couple months. Couple of weeks ago had tumors hacked out from chin to ears. Ugh. All benign so that’s good. Tonight I see a Stap 42 and Darlington in same video. I’m feeling better already. The Lady in Black. NASCARs greatest track by far. The Southern 500 Labor Day( until France goons screwed that up). My man Ward Burton winning. Lol. Great job showing the nuts and bolts and nooks and crannies. Can you believe the street is spitting distance from offices??? Tunnel should be on National monuments list. When you get time you should put together a montage of accidents from open and closed stock car tracks. Some are hilarious and others quite somber. Old ones probably hard to research. Only TV and 8 mm film back then. Anyway thanks again to you and Miss Logan.
I went a few times before the roof was removed. It was great for rain showers but it was brutal on the ears. Also somehow years later got tickets for a meet and greet with Tony Stewart at The Home Depot hospitality tent. It's crazy how much TH-cam i watch but only comment on your videos.
I was able to stop and check out the Darlington Museum last year during Power Tour! It was pretty epic to be at such a historic place for the sport. It's on my list of races that I want to go to!
When you walked up the dank it didn’t look that steep and to honest 25 degrees didn’t mean a lot but then Logan is seen in the background leaning so far forward walking up!! I’m from the uk and love your videos. I went to Brooklands a couple of years ago. Brooklands was the 1st perhaps built race track in the world and has huge banked corners. Sadly the banking was carved up during WW2. If ever you visit the uk it’s a must. A lot of the track is still there. If you like slit cars (even if you don’t) “James May Toy Story’s” Duda a race around the original tracks route, through people’s gardens and office blocks. It’s worth a search for the film. Keep up the great work I look forward to your uploads
Love the tours you’ve done on some of these Ol girls , North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, and now Darlington . Our family stopped there around 1964 to visit the museum and back then it had maybe 4-5 cars in it and a lot of memorabilia from the 50’s and early 60’s . Back then you could just walk right in, walk on the track and no one to chase you away ! As a 9 year old my brother in I thought we were in Heaven! Thanks Mitchell and Logan for the outstanding work your doing ! Hope to see you out there with your car soon !
Excellent video. Thanks! Your hosts were great. I've only been a Nascar fan for a handful of years, but Darlington was instantly my favorite track. Place is awesome.
The fact that the racetrack threw a winners circle experience for a winning driver 30 years after his win because he was not able to experience it was way cool. The racetrack has very capable management.
Hey Y'all, Darlington is on the short list of racetracks that I always wanted to experience a race at, it's such an iconic track but unfortunately it won't happen, fortunately we have y'all to take us there and you don't know just how much an old fart like me appreciates what you do so thank you very much. I always hit that like button as soon as I click on your video because I absolutely know 100% I'm going to like the content. Thank you, Mark
It’s very cool when the whole track is a museum and it contains all of that history. Seen many races here met many drivers in the pits after the races because back in the good ole day you go in the pits to meet drivers and sit in the cars after the race.
My dad and I used to set up the microwave equipment for ABC Sports back when they televised the Darlington races on Wide World of Sports. I watched several races from atop the front straightaway grandstand roof. We got to mingle with the broadcast crew and enjoyed the catered meals with folks like Keith Jackson. The one moment that I'll never forget is when Richard Petty hit the inside wall coming out of the then forth turn and was hanging upside down in his overturned car. I saw red fluid running down onto the asphalt and thought it was blood. It scared me to death because Petty was my man back then, and I thought he was dead. Darlington is the racer's racetrack. I hope they never mess it up like was done to Bristol.
Good job Mitch Darlington is one of the most important tracks when I I was growing up I’ve been a fan of this sport since 1979 and have been hooked on it since I’m from the wide world of sports days I’m glad they came to their senses and put it back on the schedule ❤
Thank you for touring my favorite track y'all. I have been in love with Darlington and the Southern 500 since I saw my first race on TV in either 82 or 83. Haven't missed one since. Thank you to the track, the hosts, but again Mitchell and Logan for living my dream for me
While I was a watcher as far as Winston Cup enjoyed the NASCAR Modifieds in their glory in the eighties and nineties mounting Goodyear tires for them. Nothing like the smell and excitement of the race tracks. The drivers I knew some still running and families who have carried the traditions still wake local people who enjoy the sport!
We where on a trip from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte and came by darlington. There was no race and we talked to the Security Worker at the entrance. As soon as she noticed we came from Germany she let us visit the property on ourselves that was such a nice Experience! The crew in charge of the racetrack seem to love racing!
My first race was the 2004 Southern 500. We sat on the old front stretch/back stretch just past the old S/F line. The paint was gone, but like a tan line you could still see it. My simple phone happened to have a stop watch and I kept track of Jeff Gordon's lap times, making sure we were still fast. He almost one that race but ran over the air hose. Steel seats bolted to the concrete, mens room was nothing but a trough, open for the world to see. Walls were stained yellow from all that RJ Reynolds tobacco over the years. Man, so friggin awesome, it felt like seeing a reenactment at colonial Williamsburg. The ghosts of stock car past could be felt everywhere.
I have watched your video for several months. And I am thankful that you and your girlfriend have taken the time and expense to create this wonderful history of not just NASCAR but the overlapping forms of racing as well .
I enjoyed watching this just as much as the Rockingham video. The fact that you go looking for pipes in the ground and holes in the wall, shows your true curiosity and bring “lost” history to the viewers attention that we may not have ever known keep up the good work Mitchell.
I failed to say how much Russell relaying the history and answering every question you had, definitely added an additional element of quality to this video. Can’t wait for the next video!!
You and Logan continue to do a great job with these history videos! At my age, (70) as I watch I catch myself thinking, 'I remember that"! But I also learn things I didn't know! Keep it up!
The past 4 years this track has became another home just like Martinsville my wife loves going there Darlington is my favorite I love the history and just the atmosphere and excitement every weekend here if you never been and you wanna kick it old school go here you won't regret it fyi the old grandstands aren't being used I went to the southern 500 when Larson rode the wall to catch Denny that was the last year those stands were used but the seats coming out 4 about 25 or so rows up you can see the whole track it's massive and beautiful at the same time
One of my favorite race tracks. I got Dale Jrs autograph on my wrecker service hat I was wearing during doing wrecker service at the track with friends, thanks to Frank Bobo business here in Rock Hill, SC. I have a few pictures from the weekend. I wish we had the smart phones back then, so I could have gotten a good picture of Dale Earnhardt coming into the pits when we were posted on the original turn 4.
Mitchell, I have a story about visiting Darlington in 1991 on a family vacation to the Carolinas (making me about 9 years old at the time) that I remembered while watching the segment about the old front stretch flag stand and timing equipment access. We stopped at the track (no race going on) to tour the museum, and we got to walk out on the front straightaway and go up in the grandstands. Dad, sister, and I climbed up the old flag stand, which probably wasn't the best idea; more of a spur-of-the moment decision. It wasn't roped off, no signs or anything, and we just wanted to enjoy the view for a moment (was awesome by the way). A few minutes passed and a track employee rode over on a scooter, kindly asking us to climb down. Of course, we scurried right down, and the employee was very nice, not upset at all with us, but I bet they may have put a rope over the steps after that! I actually paused the video during that segment so I could leave this comment haha, thanks for bringing back some great memories. Keep up the awesome work you guys are doing!
Stopped by to look look at the track about 10 years ago. Security guy let us in to look around and gave us two of the older grandstand seats they were up grading. He also gave the kids some Bojangles hats!
It's funny how I, too, am absolutely fascinated seeing old holes in the wall and old flag stand pole holes. I was itching for that part of the video. Cool stuff! Thanks for doing this.
You live my bucket list! I love that you invest time on small wanted details no one gets to hear about. You my friend making history as you record history. I love it.
I really learned about the shape of the track and learning everything about the history of Darlington Raceway was very informative and looking forward to attending a race there
I came over from Ireland 🇮🇪 in March 2004 to Boston MA were my sister was living , the only nascar race on while i was in the united states was darlington, i was determined to go to a race as i had followed it for 10 years at that point. so next day at 6am it was friday and i got in her little Nissan ( the car didnt have a radio although i didnt need one as i had dreams of seeing the #bud car in person)and drove to DMS in one day, 95 south all the way, got there around 12.30am, I will never forget walking up the grandstand on the Saturday and seeing the cup cars in person for the first time , to see the #8 bud car, rusty wallaces #2 peneske, gordans#24, waltrips Napa, labontes interstate batteries it was a dream come true . Great memories, thanks for a great show and here is to another 75years of the track "to tough too tame" 🇮🇪🇺🇲🏁
Oh now I understand why they moved the finish line. I used to love watching the cars come off the old “Turn 4” and to the finish line. Turn 4 was wild coming to the finish,.. And yes it was loud ! The covered stands on the (old) front stretch gave the track so much character off the race track
Good Job! I never attended a race there. The closest was driving by the track on the way to Myrtle Beach. I never knew why I’m older photos the roof over the grandstand no longer existed. Hurricane Hugo made a huge impact in the Carolinas.
Yeah, you have to go to the channel page now to find out if there is a new video out or not... Thanks YouTude... I live near THE Speeedway, but I went to Clemson for school, and being around Darlington area feels like home to me, though I'm from Indy... lol
Think’d be kewl if y’all could get any of the old drivers to tag along on these types of track videos, to relate their experiences, especially the experiences unique to each track. As always, Mitch and Logan, thanks for sharing.
Another awesome video you two. Went to the first Darlington night race (2005?) and sat at the new start finish line. Back in those days, took a few mushrooms prior to going in, and WOW. That place was lit up and the fact that all the NASCAR teams had all their toolboxes under the lean too roof on the front stretch, which was the garage. It blew my mind. To this day, this is my favorite track (along with Bristol). Liked you showing the old timing light cut out. I am old school, so I remember those things (55 yes old) and my dad used to race and they used the old timing light system back in the 70's and 80's. I love that you know the cool things we old timers enjoy. Simple things like a timing light placement. That place is a throw back in time I hope they never change it. It is a magical place to see for a night race or any race. If you have not been to a race, I would suggest going. You would not regret it. It is as old school as it gets. Thanks for doing these videos. Awesome. Maybe a new one on Wilkesboro would be cool after all the upgrades. Hey sponsors...Get with these two. There are a lot of us out here that love what they are doing!
I've been a Nascar fan since my first race up here at Pocono in 1983. Thank you for the time you dedicate to preserveing the history of this sport in the '80's and '90's...when it was at it's best IMHO. My father took me to Darlington for the fall race from 1987-1989, and our tickets were on the front stretch under that pavilion. Definitely a neat experience!
Was able to have watched a couple races at Darlington in the 90s as a kid. I remember people letting people park in their front yards for like $5. I remember all the merchandise tents along the highway too. Got to meet a few drivers and autographs as well. Then they flipped the front stretch and it was either the first or second year of that and that was the last time I was there
Just Imagine if NASCAR would ever decide to do a retro racing with cars that look like vintage 80’s or 90’s cars. Another great job Mitch, enjoy all the little things you ask about, would love an ole timer fill in information about the start, finish line device.
I was able to work in the sport for 15 years for a few different teams. The OG tracks always made me want to go back in time and watch the races from years ago. Very emotional experience each and every time for me. Great video once again. Keep them coming.
Outstanding Race Track History Video ! What a great tour and history guides. Very timely explanation of the scoring line and how it set up and works, the finish at Kansas Sunday was .0001 ! Thanks for all the edit work I really like the old photos shown along with the story.
Nice shirt Logan, that guy was pretty good there, This is great, I love that place. First went there in 1993 and sat on the old front stretch. Then sat on the new frontstretch later in the 90`s and 2000`s.
Thank you! It’s one of my favorites haha, wish Mark would do some new shirts with those paint schemes like he has the Folgers & Valvoline. I’m trying to convince them haha
My current hometown track, since moving to charleston a few years ago. Love it. Attend the September race for the past 4 years. Only thing i wish was being allowed to walk down pit lane during pre-race. Being stuck on track, not able to walk in the stalls and meet some of the crew members is the only downside i have.
great video mitchell for sure. i started coming to darlington in 1972 with the Bud Moore family and did twice a year until 1977. i remember all the old stuff and im glad they have preserved it. its a historical place for sure. Having lost my best friend Greg in Feb. it means even more now. great memories old buddy thank you for taking me!!
Great job again! Love being able to see these places up close and behind the scenes thanks to you guys. Ever consider asking the people you interview if they have a favorite Earnhardt(or any driver) story they'd like to share that people may not have heard? Thanks again!
Darlington is my hometown. I started going to the races in the early 80s. It's old school, but it's history. I have my family's old seats to this day. Great show. Clarice Lane is the reason I'm a Nascar fan. She was Miss Darlington Raceway. I loved that lady
I know your main focus is NASCAR but. You need to do a video on shadyside dragway. It reminds me so much if Darlington. It like the owner just decided to build a dragstrip in the back yard next to the creek one day....lol fun and fast strip tho.
23:38 This is kind of funny & cool. My wife just went through a chest containing some old pictures today, and I (just minutes before clicking on this video) just found a picture that my wife took while on our honeymoon in 1986 of me standing in the flag stand that you just pointed out where the poles were in the wall. The tin roof is still over the grandstand in the picture!
Hey Mitch. Man I have all of my questions answered here. I did not know some of the things that you all were talking about. Great video sir. On to the next one
Attended my first NASCAR race at Darlington in 2002. Quite a place! Southern 500. Made a couple trips after also. Seemed like we always got wet! Great time! Thx!!
Glad they didn't destroy Darlington for ya mich. I love that area was old road to Myrtle Beach. Was a air and missile museum in Florence down the road.in the 7Os you could climb all over those old aircraft ,inside out. You should Google florace air and missile museum old web page still up ,you and Logan would enjoy it shows all the old air craft long gone. It was roadside 20 ft off sidewalk. Place was east coast route 66.
14:16 The current racing surface is not the original 'racing' surface. The current apron was the original intended racing surface. The current racing surface was originally a 'runoff' grace-area before you'd hit the wall, but once they found more speed there, the rest is history.
I had known about the frontstretch flip flop but had no idea how little things had been modified since that was done... Walking from once side to the other is like a time machine and you would have no idea while watching a race on TV! We have a whole new appreciation for the Darlington facility and the people who work there.
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Thank you once again for a very interesting breakdown of things we never knew. Keep up the great work my friend
@@outlawofga thanks for being here for it!!
0:09 sounds like Alex jones
Awesome history lesson. Keep them coming. And get Logan's car on the track.
Could you do a deep dive into Dover some day? Dover is one of the most unique tracks on the circuit...built in 1969...was asphalt until 1994ish.
Darlington is an absolute must attend track at least once
I'm always impressed that a person right before & after WWII would think, "I am going to make a race track for the South, pave it better than Indianapolis (one of the few paved race tracks in America), and because Indy takes Memorial Day, I will take Labor Day and bookend the summer with the second great race, here in the middle of a field in South Carolina. And it will endure as the most prestigious race for decades and live forever. America has a lot of crazy ideas, but this has to be the craziest THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.
Love that thought process. Every great thing was once a crazy idea that survived!
I had a chance to meet Russell today briefly. I was at the track for the truck race and they announced the weather was about to get really bad, so I was walking back to my car and a golf cart pulled up and it was Russell warning me about the weather. I told him I saw him in your video and enjoyed the stories. He got a big smile and shook my hand. Cool guy.
Awesome! Thanks for mentioning us Randy
Russell’s awesome!
Still rocking my old SAW hat in the RYR style. Loved you guys for the longest. Underrated channel, in my opinion.
Thanks joshua we agree 😂
I was there in 1990 rooting for Davey Allison with Melling Racing in the garage. I got Dale Earnhardt and Davey Allison autograph then. Those were a great time to watch a race there.
The first NASCAR race I went to was at Darlington. We sat about 2 rows from the bottom close tov starting line on the old front stretch.We were in the"chicken bone" seats .We got rubber all over us,all you could see was a blur as the cars came by.Great fun.
Things like that are core memories for sure.
Thanks for sharing !!
Cool history !!
dude, my first race ever in 1998 I think, I was eight years old, down in the chicken bone seats. COVERED IN RUBBER. It was AHHHHMAZING.
Mate what a great tour love seeing the old and the new but especially integrating the old with the new what a fantastic tour. I’d love to come back to the states and visit Darlington myself here in Australia. We have an old superspeedway which doesn’t get used any more . I started as a suspension technician then car chief and crew chief on what we used to call here Auscars and NASCAR so I really appreciate your passion for the history of grassroots racing well done mate. PS Neil Barnett and Bobby Ellison came out here. What a honour to meet those two guys. . Neil Bonnett won the race and Bobby came second.
When I first started watching your channel a few years ago I enjoyed the drag racing and other build videos but man the shift to capturing these stories is awesome! Everyday the history of this amazing (even though I don't always like certain things that NASCAR does) sport is slowly dying off but thanks to you and Logan we are getting it catalogued to show future generations. Thanks for keeping the history alive! 💪🏻
Thanks man 💪🏻
I love the fact that Darlington Raceway tries to keep history items up and helps to show the younger fans what it was like in the old days. I only wish that there were more places that did this as the older people pass the younger people loose all the history of racing (or whatever). History is the reason that everything is the way it is (sounds dumb but it's the truth). Thanks for bringing us this. Later
thanks man we are glad you're here for it!
In 1997, the year the start finish line was flipped, i attended the race at Darlington. I ordered tickets over the phone from Betty Jo and discovered when I came to pick them up that her last name was Yarborough. So old school to see racers wives helping out at the local track during big events :)
My Lord, thanks for showing the actual racing surface, I never realized how narrow it is. The apron is like 3 times wider, that's crazy.
Been puny last couple months. Couple of weeks ago had tumors hacked out from chin to ears. Ugh. All benign so that’s good. Tonight I see a Stap 42 and Darlington in same video. I’m feeling better already. The Lady in Black. NASCARs greatest track by far. The Southern 500 Labor Day( until France goons screwed that up). My man Ward Burton winning. Lol. Great job showing the nuts and bolts and nooks and crannies. Can you believe the street is spitting distance from offices??? Tunnel should be on National monuments list.
When you get time you should put together a montage of accidents from open and closed stock car tracks. Some are hilarious and others quite somber. Old ones probably hard to research. Only TV and 8 mm film back then.
Anyway thanks again to you and Miss Logan.
I went a few times before the roof was removed. It was great for rain showers but it was brutal on the ears. Also somehow years later got tickets for a meet and greet with Tony Stewart at The Home Depot hospitality tent. It's crazy how much TH-cam i watch but only comment on your videos.
I was able to stop and check out the Darlington Museum last year during Power Tour! It was pretty epic to be at such a historic place for the sport. It's on my list of races that I want to go to!
Awesome!! The museum is great!
When you walked up the dank it didn’t look that steep and to honest 25 degrees didn’t mean a lot but then Logan is seen in the background leaning so far forward walking up!! I’m from the uk and love your videos. I went to Brooklands a couple of years ago. Brooklands was the 1st perhaps built race track in the world and has huge banked corners. Sadly the banking was carved up during WW2. If ever you visit the uk it’s a must. A lot of the track is still there. If you like slit cars (even if you don’t) “James May Toy Story’s” Duda a race around the original tracks route, through people’s gardens and office blocks. It’s worth a search for the film. Keep up the great work I look forward to your uploads
Banking is always elusive in pictures and videos. It never captures accurately 😂
Love the tours you’ve done on some of these Ol girls , North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, and now Darlington .
Our family stopped there around 1964 to visit the museum and back then it had maybe 4-5 cars in it and a lot of memorabilia from the 50’s and early 60’s . Back then you could just walk right in, walk on the track and no one to chase you away ! As a 9 year old my brother in I thought we were in Heaven!
Thanks Mitchell and Logan for the outstanding work your doing ! Hope to see you out there with your car soon !
thats awesome lol thanks man! I didn't realize we had hit so many of the original stalwart tracks. I think we need to do Martinsville next!
Richmond would also be a good one , it might be fading away
Excellent video. Thanks! Your hosts were great. I've only been a Nascar fan for a handful of years, but Darlington was instantly my favorite track. Place is awesome.
I was surprised that all the old infield buildings were still there. Another piece of history you've preserved on video.
The fact that the racetrack threw a winners circle experience for a winning driver 30 years after his win because he was not able to experience it was way cool. The racetrack has very capable management.
Hey Y'all, Darlington is on the short list of racetracks that I always wanted to experience a race at, it's such an iconic track but unfortunately it won't happen, fortunately we have y'all to take us there and you don't know just how much an old fart like me appreciates what you do so thank you very much.
I always hit that like button as soon as I click on your video because I absolutely know 100% I'm going to like the content.
Thank you,
Mark
The Brasington Tower seats came from the final turn at Nazareth Speedway
Wow I did not know that! So it would have been added around 2005?
It’s very cool when the whole track is a museum and it contains all of that history. Seen many races here met many drivers in the pits after the races because back in the good ole day you go in the pits to meet drivers and sit in the cars after the race.
My dad and I used to set up the microwave equipment for ABC Sports back when they televised the Darlington races on Wide World of Sports. I watched several races from atop the front straightaway grandstand roof. We got to mingle with the broadcast crew and enjoyed the catered meals with folks like Keith Jackson. The one moment that I'll never forget is when Richard Petty hit the inside wall coming out of the then forth turn and was hanging upside down in his overturned car. I saw red fluid running down onto the asphalt and thought it was blood. It scared me to death because Petty was my man back then, and I thought he was dead. Darlington is the racer's racetrack. I hope they never mess it up like was done to Bristol.
The dog up on the banking-lol. I just find that neat.
Great stuff as usual.
Thanks rob. She helped show how steep it really was 😂
Good job Mitch Darlington is one of the most important tracks when I I was growing up I’ve been a fan of this sport since 1979 and have been hooked on it since I’m from the wide world of sports days I’m glad they came to their senses and put it back on the schedule ❤
Thank you for touring my favorite track y'all. I have been in love with Darlington and the Southern 500 since I saw my first race on TV in either 82 or 83. Haven't missed one since. Thank you to the track, the hosts, but again Mitchell and Logan for living my dream for me
Thanks man we appreciate you
While I was a watcher as far as Winston Cup enjoyed the NASCAR Modifieds in their glory in the eighties and nineties mounting Goodyear tires for them. Nothing like the smell and excitement of the race tracks. The drivers I knew some still running and families who have carried the traditions still wake local people who enjoy the sport!
I’m here for NASCAR history, and because you and Logan are authentic as demonstrated in our outro. Heartfelt and sincere. Rarity on YT.
I live vicariously through your journeys, and enjoy all of the details you help develop!✌️❤️🤘
Thanks man 💪🏻
I was there when the grand stands were covered and he is wright it was so loud !!!! man what good memories thank you
We where on a trip from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte and came by darlington. There was no race and we talked to the Security Worker at the entrance. As soon as she noticed we came from Germany she let us visit the property on ourselves that was such a nice Experience! The crew in charge of the racetrack seem to love racing!
My first race was the 2004 Southern 500. We sat on the old front stretch/back stretch just past the old S/F line. The paint was gone, but like a tan line you could still see it. My simple phone happened to have a stop watch and I kept track of Jeff Gordon's lap times, making sure we were still fast. He almost one that race but ran over the air hose. Steel seats bolted to the concrete, mens room was nothing but a trough, open for the world to see. Walls were stained yellow from all that RJ Reynolds tobacco over the years. Man, so friggin awesome, it felt like seeing a reenactment at colonial Williamsburg. The ghosts of stock car past could be felt everywhere.
I have watched your video for several months. And I am thankful that you and your girlfriend have taken the time and expense to create this wonderful history of not just NASCAR but the overlapping forms of racing as well .
Thank you so much!
Watched to the very end. He knew that track !! So much history ! Awesome video !!
Thanks man! The best videos are the ones with the most passionate tour guides. Russell sure fits the bill here. We had a great time that day!
I enjoyed watching this just as much as the Rockingham video. The fact that you go looking for pipes in the ground and holes in the wall, shows your true curiosity and bring “lost” history to the viewers attention that we may not have ever known keep up the good work Mitchell.
Thank you Rick!
I failed to say how much Russell relaying the history and answering every question you had, definitely added an additional element of quality to this video. Can’t wait for the next video!!
Right on, love the history behind NASCAR! I'm there, guys. Very cool video.
You and Logan continue to do a great job with these history videos! At my age, (70) as I watch I catch myself thinking, 'I remember that"! But I also learn things I didn't know! Keep it up!
Boy isn't that the truth! As much as I know, I STILL learn more from Mitch and Logan's videos!
Thank you Mark that is a great complement!
The past 4 years this track has became another home just like Martinsville my wife loves going there Darlington is my favorite I love the history and just the atmosphere and excitement every weekend here if you never been and you wanna kick it old school go here you won't regret it fyi the old grandstands aren't being used I went to the southern 500 when Larson rode the wall to catch Denny that was the last year those stands were used but the seats coming out 4 about 25 or so rows up you can see the whole track it's massive and beautiful at the same time
One of my favorite race tracks. I got Dale Jrs autograph on my wrecker service hat I was wearing during doing wrecker service at the track with friends, thanks to Frank Bobo business here in Rock Hill, SC. I have a few pictures from the weekend. I wish we had the smart phones back then, so I could have gotten a good picture of Dale Earnhardt coming into the pits when we were posted on the original turn 4.
Mitchell, I have a story about visiting Darlington in 1991 on a family vacation to the Carolinas (making me about 9 years old at the time) that I remembered while watching the segment about the old front stretch flag stand and timing equipment access. We stopped at the track (no race going on) to tour the museum, and we got to walk out on the front straightaway and go up in the grandstands. Dad, sister, and I climbed up the old flag stand, which probably wasn't the best idea; more of a spur-of-the moment decision. It wasn't roped off, no signs or anything, and we just wanted to enjoy the view for a moment (was awesome by the way). A few minutes passed and a track employee rode over on a scooter, kindly asking us to climb down. Of course, we scurried right down, and the employee was very nice, not upset at all with us, but I bet they may have put a rope over the steps after that!
I actually paused the video during that segment so I could leave this comment haha, thanks for bringing back some great memories. Keep up the awesome work you guys are doing!
Thanks Jeff! The memories like that are why these details are important!
Stopped by to look look at the track about 10 years ago. Security guy let us in to look around and gave us two of the older grandstand seats they were up grading. He also gave the kids some Bojangles hats!
It's funny how I, too, am absolutely fascinated seeing old holes in the wall and old flag stand pole holes. I was itching for that part of the video. Cool stuff! Thanks for doing this.
Thanks Greg!!
You live my bucket list! I love that you invest time on small wanted details no one gets to hear about. You my friend making history as you record history. I love it.
Thank you Dennis!
I really learned about the shape of the track and learning everything about the history of Darlington Raceway was very informative and looking forward to attending a race there
thank you Michael!
I came over from Ireland 🇮🇪 in March 2004 to Boston MA were my sister was living , the only nascar race on while i was in the united states was darlington, i was determined to go to a race as i had followed it for 10 years at that point. so next day at 6am it was friday and i got in her little Nissan ( the car didnt have a radio although i didnt need one as i had dreams of seeing the #bud car in person)and drove to DMS in one day, 95 south all the way, got there around 12.30am, I will never forget walking up the grandstand on the Saturday and seeing the cup cars in person for the first time , to see the #8 bud car, rusty wallaces #2 peneske, gordans#24, waltrips Napa, labontes interstate batteries it was a dream come true . Great memories, thanks for a great show and here is to another 75years of the track "to tough too tame" 🇮🇪🇺🇲🏁
thanks man!!
Love this stuff, Mitchell and Logan! Hope you both are doing well. And Shelby too!
Thank you JD!
Oh now I understand why they moved the finish line. I used to love watching the cars come off the old “Turn 4” and to the finish line. Turn 4 was wild coming to the finish,.. And yes it was loud !
The covered stands on the (old) front stretch gave the track so much character off the race track
Mitchell you and Logan are killing it with these video's lately...please keep them coming
Thanks David you know we will!
My first tace @ Darlington was 1970's. Always loved that race track. It is home.
They had a grass airstrip nearby too back in the 60,remember fly in my dad's cub to the race. There was nothing much around there back then
Good Job! I never attended a race there. The closest was driving by the track on the way to Myrtle Beach. I never knew why I’m older photos the roof over the grandstand no longer existed. Hurricane Hugo made a huge impact in the Carolinas.
Yeah, you have to go to the channel page now to find out if there is a new video out or not... Thanks YouTude... I live near THE Speeedway, but I went to Clemson for school, and being around Darlington area feels like home to me, though I'm from Indy... lol
You should visit Florence Speedway minutes from the track. Has great history and cool track owner.
Think’d be kewl if y’all could get any of the old drivers to tag along on these types of track videos, to relate their experiences, especially the experiences unique to each track.
As always, Mitch and Logan, thanks for sharing.
That is an idea we have considered. Maybe we can get Lake Speed to bring Jobe to Darlington someday!
Another awesome video you two. Went to the first Darlington night race (2005?) and sat at the new start finish line. Back in those days, took a few mushrooms prior to going in, and WOW. That place was lit up and the fact that all the NASCAR teams had all their toolboxes under the lean too roof on the front stretch, which was the garage. It blew my mind. To this day, this is my favorite track (along with Bristol). Liked you showing the old timing light cut out. I am old school, so I remember those things (55 yes old) and my dad used to race and they used the old timing light system back in the 70's and 80's. I love that you know the cool things we old timers enjoy. Simple things like a timing light placement. That place is a throw back in time I hope they never change it. It is a magical place to see for a night race or any race. If you have not been to a race, I would suggest going. You would not regret it. It is as old school as it gets. Thanks for doing these videos. Awesome. Maybe a new one on Wilkesboro would be cool after all the upgrades.
Hey sponsors...Get with these two. There are a lot of us out here that love what they are doing!
Thank you Troy! That is quite an interesting story lol
I've been a Nascar fan since my first race up here at Pocono in 1983. Thank you for the time you dedicate to preserveing the history of this sport in the '80's and '90's...when it was at it's best IMHO. My father took me to Darlington for the fall race from 1987-1989, and our tickets were on the front stretch under that pavilion. Definitely a neat experience!
Like you, I think the details are cool. All those details are what make the history that much greater.
It brings it to life!
@@Stapleton42 it really does!
Well done! Your level of questions is great! I admire on how in depth you both get to how things were.
Was able to have watched a couple races at Darlington in the 90s as a kid. I remember people letting people park in their front yards for like $5. I remember all the merchandise tents along the highway too. Got to meet a few drivers and autographs as well. Then they flipped the front stretch and it was either the first or second year of that and that was the last time I was there
This is one of my favorite videos you've done so far. Thanks for keeping racing history alive.
thank you Scott!
I love Atlanta Speedway. I think it’s one of the best tracks there is thanks for doing all the overview of those two tracks.!!
Atlanta is another one with a backstretch flip flop!
The owners and promoters did a phenomenal job restoring that piece of history!
Just Imagine if NASCAR would ever decide to do a retro racing with cars that look like vintage 80’s or 90’s cars. Another great job Mitch, enjoy all the little things you ask about, would love an ole timer fill in information about the start, finish line device.
Hopefully we will see that one day!
Does everyone remember when they let retired drivers race at Bristol in 2009?
@@RAEckart22 Different concept
I was able to work in the sport for 15 years for a few different teams. The OG tracks always made me want to go back in time and watch the races from years ago. Very emotional experience each and every time for me. Great video once again. Keep them coming.
Thanks man. Well said!
Outstanding Race Track History Video ! What a great tour and history guides. Very timely explanation of the scoring line and how it set up and works, the finish at Kansas Sunday was .0001 ! Thanks for all the edit work I really like the old photos shown along with the story.
Thank you Steve!!
Love the video that you did. Got to learn more history about Darlington than I ever knew before.
Great stuff Mitch. It was the beginning of the end for NASCAR when it turned its back on places like this ol girl.
Thank you Randy! It seems to me like they are taking Darlington very seriously in recent years.
Nice shirt Logan, that guy was pretty good there, This is great, I love that place. First went there in 1993 and sat on the old front stretch. Then sat on the new frontstretch later in the 90`s and 2000`s.
Thank you! It’s one of my favorites haha, wish Mark would do some new shirts with those paint schemes like he has the Folgers & Valvoline. I’m trying to convince them haha
@@loganerwin42 me too.
Your obsession with holes in the ground is top notch, keep up the great work. Plus nice shot of Lake's victory on the wall in the tunnel
thanks man!!
My current hometown track, since moving to charleston a few years ago. Love it. Attend the September race for the past 4 years. Only thing i wish was being allowed to walk down pit lane during pre-race. Being stuck on track, not able to walk in the stalls and meet some of the crew members is the only downside i have.
For what it’s worth I still receive the new video alerts. As always Thank you for the work you do, I’m sure it’s hard work but also very rewarding.
I appreciate that!
This was so interesting about Darlington Raceway History and Museum 😊
Another killer video, you two are slaying it. Thanks for what you do!
thank you very much Ben!
great video mitchell for sure. i started coming to darlington in 1972 with the Bud Moore family and did twice a year until 1977. i remember all the old stuff and im glad they have preserved it. its a historical place for sure. Having lost my best friend Greg in Feb. it means even more now. great memories old buddy thank you for taking me!!
Thank you Larry
Great job again! Love being able to see these places up close and behind the scenes thanks to you guys. Ever consider asking the people you interview if they have a favorite Earnhardt(or any driver) story they'd like to share that people may not have heard?
Thanks again!
Thank you and I will remember that question!
Darlington is my hometown. I started going to the races in the early 80s. It's old school, but it's history. I have my family's old seats to this day. Great show. Clarice Lane is the reason I'm a Nascar fan. She was Miss Darlington Raceway. I loved that lady
I love Russell, he's a great dude isn't he?
16:39
This happened in a race here in 2020 I believe.
It was a Blue Emu wall decal.
Im always in awe of the old school stuff you throw at us Mitch keep it up when I get a Stapleton notification I jump on it Thanks
thanks Stuart we appreciate you!
Greatest track ever built and still my all time favorite on the circuit.
Well done , remember going to the 89 southern 500, walking around after the race, brought back a ton of memories, thank you
The info on what went into the original concept and design plus why the track shape came to be was great history!
I believe part of the original tin roof still exists over the grandstands in peebly Missouri at Kenny Shraders track.
Interesting! Funny I used a video clip of Schrader to show the lack of roof after 1989 too
I know your main focus is NASCAR but. You need to do a video on shadyside dragway. It reminds me so much if Darlington. It like the owner just decided to build a dragstrip in the back yard next to the creek one day....lol fun and fast strip tho.
We use to go to that old drag strip.
Cool exploring the history and seeing all the details :) I'm also glad the mandatory Raid shadow sponsorship is out of the way.
Hey man we gotta do what we gotta do I am glad you know the deal 😂
Thank you for doing this. I'm hoping many more people come around to my view that Darlington is the greatest race track...
In the world.
23:38 This is kind of funny & cool. My wife just went through a chest containing some old pictures today, and I (just minutes before clicking on this video) just found a picture that my wife took while on our honeymoon in 1986 of me standing in the flag stand that you just pointed out where the poles were in the wall. The tin roof is still over the grandstand in the picture!
That is awesome! You should go back there and recreate the picture
@@Stapleton42 We went back last summer but the track was off limits. You however, just gave me the tour I have always wanted! Thank you!
I love that he explained all the timing and scoring stuff, for sure helps with all the confusion from Kansas haha.
Funny thing is this was recorded before that race happened!
@@Stapleton42 That’s kind of what I expected. Are you going to Darlington this weekend?
well done again, I'm not even a Nascar fan but I am a sports and history fan. This stuff is amazing. Your videos are great
Thank you! We try to make these videos enjoyable to anybody!
Hey Mitch. Man I have all of my questions answered here. I did not know some of the things that you all were talking about. Great video sir. On to the next one
Attended my first NASCAR race at Darlington in 2002. Quite a place! Southern 500. Made a couple trips after also. Seemed like we always got wet! Great time! Thx!!
OMG the tunnel murell stuff could be a whole video by itsself
I love your videos, I love anything racing history. I want to come help you when you are done with your car, it is a cool part of history!
Thanks for the visit. Always appreciated!
You two guys, keep up the good work.
J. F.🇨🇦
Our pleasure! Thanks man
Always wanted to visit Darlington from the 1st time I watched a race there back in 81’
Another great video. I love Nascar's History
Thanks for preserving racing history. This will ensure that it is passed on to the next generation. Pretty cool what you do. Keep it up. 👍👍🏁🏁
Thanks man!
Glad they didn't destroy Darlington for ya mich. I love that area was old road to Myrtle Beach. Was a air and missile museum in Florence down the road.in the 7Os you could climb all over those old aircraft ,inside out. You should Google florace air and missile museum old web page still up ,you and Logan would enjoy it shows all the old air craft long gone. It was roadside 20 ft off sidewalk. Place was east coast route 66.
14:16
The current racing surface is not the original 'racing' surface.
The current apron was the original intended racing surface.
The current racing surface was originally a 'runoff' grace-area before you'd hit the wall, but once they found more speed there, the rest is history.