Renewal customer Andy Beasley winds Darlington’s “Victory Lane Celebration” sweepstakes

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Andy Beasley was surprised when he learned he had won Darlington Raceway’s “Victory Lane Celebration” sweepstakes.

“I am so surprised and excited that I won,” the Hartsville, SC resident exclaimed. “I’ve been attending races at the track since the late 1950’s and I can tell you there is no better place to watch a race than Darlington Raceway.”

Beasley, a longtime infield camper at Darlington, won the track’s sweepstakes that gave a lucky renewal customer and guest the chance to visit Gatorade Victory Lane and get their picture taken with the Bojangles’ Southern 500 race winner on April 12, 2014.

Beasley will also take home the famous Johnny Mantz Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the Bojangles’ Southern 500, when he leaves Gatorade Victory Lane that night.

“To have an actual Johnny Mantz Southern 500 trophy sitting in my house is something I can’t even imagine,” Beasley said.

Beasley attended his first Southern 500 in 1957 and has missed only a handful of races in the past five decades, mainly because of his service in the Vietnam War. The Darlington County resident enjoys spending the entire race weekend at the track Too Tough To Tame from his infield camping spot.

Two years ago, Beasley was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Despite his diagnosis, Beasley continues to attend the festivities at Darlington Raceway.

“We have such a great time at Darlington. We camp and bring a lot of people to the race with us every year,” he said. “It is such a fabulous experience. Despite my health, I am not planning on missing a race anytime soon. It truly is the best track on the NASCAR circuit.”

“Mr. Beasley was a very deserving winner of this sweepstakes,” Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile said. “He has tremendous passion for our track and sport. We appreciate all he has done for us and hopefully adding the Johnny Mantz Southern 500 trophy and a visit to Gatorade Victory Lane will be a highlight on his long list of great memories he’s had here since the 1950’s.”

Darlington Raceway PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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