Labor Day Without the Southern 500 is Like Christmas Without Santa
Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR
Few race names carry the legacy that the Southern 500 did. For a half-century, it represented the best in NASCAR racing at one of the toughest tracks on the circuit.
And, quite appropriately, the race became a Labor Day weekend tradition, both because of the holiday weekend, but also because it gave such a fitting description of how hard NASCAR drivers labored and worked perhaps harder there than at any other track just to finish the race.
Everything after that, including winning, was a bonus. Just to survive the Lady In Black was an accomplishment.
And then one day about five years ago, all the tradition, the great races and memories were gone, shipped across the country to Southern California, where it has failed miserably in trying to recoup some of the same tradition and legacy it had at Darlington.
To many NASCAR fans, since then, Labor Day weekend without the Southern 500 has been almost like Christmas without Santa.
And while it’s not the Labor Day weekend, the Southern 500 is back to hopefully start a new tradition at its old home – on Mother’s Day weekend at Darlington.
Sure, it may be “The Southern 500 brought to you by GoDaddy.com” but it’s still THE SOUTHERN FRICKIN’ 500.
I’m telling you, I’m fired up for this weekend’s race. It will bring back so many memories, and each time I hear the TV or radio announcers say those famous words, “The Southern 500,” it’s literally going to send chills up and down my spine.
How about you? Let’s hear your thoughts. Post a comment here on how you feel about the return of the Southern 500.
Let’s have a great race night and we’ll catch you back here on Monday.
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