With what was considered one of the most popular races of 2015, Darlington Raceway and its throwback Bojangles’ Southern 500 event will once again return to Labor Day weekend on September 2-4, 2016.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 will compete on Sunday, Sept. 4. The NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 will race on Saturday, Sept. 3 (official start times TBA). A full day of practice for both series will be on Friday, Sept. 2.
“We’re thrilled to once again host the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend in 2016,” said track President Chip Wile. “Labor Day weekend has great historical significance for Darlington Raceway. It fits nicely with our Tradition Continues platform as we enter year two of this successful multi-year celebration of the history and heritage of our sport.”
The 2015 throwback campaign featured a celebration of the early 1970’s (1970-74) including the following highlights:
· 32 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race teams running throwback paint schemes for the Bojangles’ Southern 500
· Honoring 14 NASCAR Hall of Fame members at the Bojangles’ Legends Breakfast, including Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Rex White, Dale Jarrett and Ned Jarrett, among others.
· 2016 NHOF inductee Terry Labonte serving as the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Grand Marshal.
· Unique food offerings from the early 1970’s – pimento cheese sandwiches, sausage perlo and fried green tomatoes.
· Pre-race concert by rock legends Grand Funk Railroad and National Anthem performance by Nashville recording artist Tanya Tucker.
· Return of the Southern 500 parade, which took place on Saturday night from downtown Darlington to the track.
Guests who purchased tickets or camping in 2015 will receive a renewal notice for 2016. Renewing customers will be guaranteed their seats and/or campsites for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Labor Day weekend. An early renewal e-mail will be sent to guests in November, followed by a mailed form in January of 2016.
“Our plan is to give our fans the opportunity to renew their seats and/or campsites online before the holidays to guarantee their spot for one of the most anticipated events of 2016,” Wile said. “We’ll also mail out traditional renewal forms in early 2016 to give our most loyal customers one more chance to renew with great benefits before we go on sale to the general public in February of 2016.”
Darlington Raceway PR
