“I’ve been coming to Darlington since I was a kid; it’s really a special place for me, ” Burton said. “Darlington stands out from the rest in a lot of ways. It’s an icon of our sport, and it’s a privilege to compete here. It’s like a homecoming, especially with the new Mother’s Day weekend date. And the racing here is some of the best of the entire season. ”
As a car owner and driver, Owens’ combined career statistics include 41 wins and 38 poles in 487 races. He is a member of the National Motorsports Press Association’s Hall of Fame, and was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers during the 50th anniversary celebration in 1998.
Moore fought in WWII with the 90th Infantry Division and landed on Utah Beach during D-Day on June 6, 1944. He fought in five major battles – some alongside General George S. Patton – and survived being hit by machine gun fire and shrapnel from a mortar shell explosion before he was discharged in November 1945 with five Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.
In 1961, Moore formed his own team, with Joe Weatherly at the wheel. Weatherly posted eight wins for Bud Moore Engineering in its first season, and went on to win 12 more races for Moore, including the 1962 and 1963 NASCAR Winston Cup championships.
During his career as a team owner, Moore totaled 63 wins, 43 poles and two championships. He is seventh in all-time car owner wins, and was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame in 2002.
Located in the Wachovia Hospitality Village outside Turn 3, the Darlington Stripe Zone gives fans an opportunity to eat, relax and interact with NASCAR personalities on race day. Stripe Zone admission is limited in number and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Darlington Stripe Zone admission includes food and beverages (including four beer tickets); live entertainment; a pre-race pit pass; a commemorative event souvenir; and question-and-answer sessions featuring current and former NASCAR superstars.
The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 weekend at Darlington Raceway will include practice for the USAC Silver Crown Series and the NASCAR Busch Series on Thursday, May 10, followed by USAC qualifying and the “Silver Crown Showdown at Darlington” under the lights. Tickets are priced at only $10 each; kids 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
Friday, May 11, will include NASCAR NEXTEL Cup practice, and NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series qualifying, followed by the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR Busch Series race under the lights that evening. Denny Hamlin is the defending champion.
On Saturday, May 12, Darlington will host Cup Series racing for the 58th consecutive season as Greg Biffle attempts to join the short list of drivers to win three events in a row at NASCAR’s most historic venue. The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 will be run under the lights in its entirety.
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