Indy Lacks What Darlington Has
NASCAR fans will watch Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indy, but they would rather be watching the old Labor Day classic Southern 500 at Darlington.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is indisputably the most storied racetrack in the universe.
Since 1911, the track known as the Brickyard has hosted the most identifiable race in all of auto racing- the Indianapolis 500. Some of the greatest names in racing have kissed the bricks at the famous 2.5-mile facility- A.J. Foyt, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Rick Mears, Arie Luyendyk, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Johnny Rutherford just to name a few.
In the early 1990's, NASCAR decided that they wanted a piece of the Indy allure, therefore, many analysts felt that the Brickyard 400 would become one of the most venerated races in stock car racing. And it has from a marketing standpoint. But the Brickyard (now All-State) 400 has never really lived up to it's billing.
After twelve events held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR has yet to really witness a truly memorable Brickyard 400. Other than Jeff Gordon winning the inaugural Brickyard 400 in 1994, and Dale Earnhardt becoming the 'first man' to win at Indy in 1995, the races held at the 2.5-mile venue have been rather anti-climactic.
Basically, the Brickyard 400 replaced the Southern 500 at Darlington a long time ago as the second most coveted race to conquer subsequent to the Daytona 500. But many NASCAR fans will concur that the races held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pale in comparison to the races held at the Darlington Raceway.
Darlington no longer hosts the once traditional Labor Day date on the Nextel Cup schedule. It boasts only one race per season, and it's held on Mother's Day weekend. The Dodge Charger 500 just doesn't have the same ring to it as the Southern 500 did. But as soon as the rumors surfaced that Darlington could suffer the same demise that the North Carolina Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway suffered, fans began to demonstrate to NASCAR that their hearts are still with the 1.366 egg-shaped oval, as the previous three races have sold out.
Quick comparison
Location of each track-
Indianapolis Motor Speedway was built on 328 acres of farmland within five miles of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Darlington Raceway was built on an old cotton field in the inconspicuous small town of Darlington, South Carolina.
Purpose for each track
Indianapolis Motor Speedway's construction was financed by four well-known businessmen and built as a year-round testing facility for the lucrative automobile industry.
Darlington Raceway was built by a local businessman, Harold Brasington, who often took the controls of the bulldozer himself to assist in the construction of his facility. The track's purpose was to become the first Super Speedway for stock car racing. The original intent was for the track to be built as an oval, but in order to avoid any conflict with the neighboring landowner who wanted to preserve his minnow pond; the track was altered into a 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval.
Nicknames for each track
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is often referred to as the Brickyard, as the track surface was once completely made out of bricks.
Darlington Raceway has been referred to as the track 'Too Tough To Tame' and the 'Lady In Black' because it has commonly been noted as the most difficult track for a driver to handle.
Interesting track characteristics
Indianapolis- a precisely positioned row of bricks on the frontstretch.
Darlington- the Darlington stripe!
email the author: autoracing@suite101.com
