Southern 500 Weekend Has Impact on Local Civic Groups

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With the SHOWTIME Southern 500 weekend just a few weeks away everyone in the Darlington community is gearing up for a massive influx of people from around the country.

The arrival of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina means a big economic impact on the entire area. A 2009 study estimated the annual economic impact of Darlington Raceway at $54 million across the state.

In addition to that $54 million impact, local civic groups also benefit greatly from Darlington Raceway. On a Sprint Cup race weekend the track and Americrown – the official concessionaire and souvenir provider of Darlington Raceway – employ more than 40 local civic groups to staff various posts around the track including concession stands, guest service tents, parking lots and entrance gates, among other things. For their time and effort these groups each receive a donation to help support their organization. In 2010 Darlington Raceway and Americrown donations to local groups exceeded $100,000.

“The Pilot Club of Darlington considers Darlington Raceway an outstanding member of the local community and that is why we originally volunteered to staff their Guest Service tents and provide assistance to all Raceway guests free of charge,” said club President, Mary Scott.  “Darlington Raceway graciously decided to donate to the Pilot Club of Darlington for our volunteer services to help with our community service projects each year making our service at the Raceway one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.”

“The local community is very supportive of Darlington Raceway and our events at the track,” said Darlington Raceway President, Chris Browning. “The dollars these groups receive help support their year-round operations in the community and we are happy to have such a great partnership with all of these groups.”

In addition to the Pilot Club of Darlington, groups receiving these funds include military groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, little league teams and Darlington area schools.

Darlington Raceway PR

Speedway Digest Staff
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