“S” is for Southern 500

“S” is for Southern 500. The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway was the oldest and one of the most storied races on the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing’s (NASCAR) Winston Cup circuit. With a seventy-five car field, the first race was held on Labor Day 1950. It was the first Grand National later Winston Cup race contested on a paved super Speedway and NASCAR's first 500 mile race. Equally famous was the legendary status of the activities on the Darlington infield. Although infield partying became considerably tamer in later years, the event remained a fan favorite and a victory in the race was one of the most coveted prizes for Winston Cup drivers. In 2004, NASCAR moved the traditional Labor Day-weekend date of the Southern 500 to November.  It would be the last Southern 500.