Track Too Tough To Tame Steeped In Hall Of Fame History

Track Too Tough To Tame Steeped In Hall Of Fame History

South Carolina, in general – and Darlington Raceway, in particular – served NASCAR Hall of Famers and nominees well during their illustrious careers.
Take Rex White, for instance. White, a first-time hall nominee, was from Spartanburg, S.C. Though he went winless at Darlington, he tallied two top fives and six top 10s in 13 starts. He finished runner-up to Hall of Famer Buck Baker in the 1960 Southern 500. He managed to notch three wins in his home state, all at Columbia Speedway (1960 twice, ’62).
Of the 109 premier series races at Darlington, 45 were won by NASCAR Hall of Famers. NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees have won 11 times at the track – Dale Jarrett (1997, ’98, 2001), Fireball Roberts (1958, ’63 – both Southern 500s), Joe Weatherly (1960, ’63), Fred Lorenzen (1961, ’64), Curtis Turner (1956 Southern 500), Benny Parsons (1978). Rick Hendrick earned 14 premier series owner wins at Darlington, most of any owner. In addition, three Busch/Nationwide races have been won by NHOF nominees – Jack Ingram in 1985 and Dale Jarrett in 1990 and ’91.