The pace will be anything but snail-like when the stars of the NEXTEL Cup Series return to Darlington in May 2008. The track “Too Tough To Tame” is currently being repaved, and the new asphalt is certain to raise the skill level needed to conquer NASCAR’s biggest challenge to an all-time high.
The last time the track was repaved, in 1995, Ward Burton made fast work of the old record by posting a qualifying speed of 173.797 mph, a record that stands to this day.
Fans renewing by the August 20 deadline will get the jump on defending race champion Jeff Gordon and his fellow competitors by having the first opportunity to drive paced laps on Darlington’s brand-new asphalt on their choice of the following dates – March 29, April 5, or April 12, 2008.
The 2008 Carolina Dodge Dealers 500 weekend is currently scheduled to include practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Busch and NEXTEL Cup Series on Friday, May 9, followed by the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 that evening. Denny Hamlin will be looking for the elusive Darlington “three-peat” after winning the 2006 and 2007 events.
On Saturday night, May 10, Darlington Raceway will host Cup Series racing for the 59th consecutive year when the green flag waves to signal the start of the Carolina Dodge Dealers 500. Jeff Gordon, a seven-time winner at Darlington, is the defending champion.
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