MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – With Atlantic waves rolling along the sundrenched Myrtle Beach shoreline, dignitaries gathered Friday at Plyler Park touting the positive impact created by the roar of NASCAR engines at Darlington Raceway.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte and 2012 NASCAR Cup Series Champion Brad Keselowski joined Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris to tout the upcoming Cook Out Southern 500 Labor Day Race Weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

Adding to the ambiance, the first car entered in the 1950 Cook Out Southern 500 – the No. 87 Oldsmobile driven by Buck Baker and owned by Florence resident Bobby Griffin – was also on display. It accompanied two cars from the NASCAR Youth Series Presented by Cook Out, which will also compete at Darlington on Labor Day Weekend.

“Myrtle Beach drives NASCAR fans to Darlington Raceway and Darlington Raceway drives fans to Myrtle Beach,” said Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris. “It was an honor to have Gov. McMaster and two incredible NASCAR ambassadors celebrate that relationship on Friday as we prepare for the 75^th annual Cook Out Southern 500. This is going to be a great race weekend that’s Too Tough to Tame.”

Gov. McMaster addressed the crowd and spent time with Keselowski and Labonte, sharing his appreciation for what Darlington Raceway and NASCAR bring to South Carolina.

“The thing that impresses me the most,” said Gov. McMaster, “it provides a lot of jobs, a lot money, a lot of happiness for a lot of people, but the demonstration of the competition, the resilience of the drivers, the determination of the drivers, the skill of the drivers in this very, very dangerous, exciting, even thrilling competition, just encapsulates the spirit of our people.”

Keselowski, who drives and co-owns the No. 6 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for RFK Racing, won the Cook Out Southern 500 in 2018. He also won the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway in May, making him a favorite to capture a second Johnny Mantz Trophy on Sept. 1 in the Cook Out Southern 500. To say he’s looking forward to a Darlington return is an understatement.

“The highlight of the season was our win at Darlington in the spring race,” Keselowski said. ”It was an unforgettable moment for me and my family. It was nice to see that success for the team.”

Darlington Raceway also certainly holds a special place in Labonte’s heart. He won the 2000 Cook Out Southern 500 driving the No. 18 Pontiac for Joe Gibbs Racing, a crown jewel triumph en route to his 2000 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

“Darlington has always been special, but it’s tough,” Labonte said. “We’ve had our success there, but we also had our fair share of crashes. It takes a lot to win at Darlington, which is why it is the Track Too Tough to Tame.”

Action at Darlington Raceway ramps up on Friday, Aug. 30, with the NASCAR Cup Series Hauler Showcase and Parade, which sets the stage for an incredible two days of racing that follows. On Saturday, Aug. 31, the action heats up with the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Sports Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200. Then at 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 1, the Cook Out Southern 500 will feature the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series for the final spots available in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.

NASCAR fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets while supplies last at 866-459-7223 or online at darlingtonraceway.com.

About Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway, nicknamed The Lady in Black and the Track Too Tough To Tame, is home to the award-winning Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR and annually hosts two NASCAR Cup Series race weekends, along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series and/or NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Opening in 1950, Darlington Raceway is “A NASCAR Tradition” and NASCAR’s original superspeedway with its famed 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval, challenging the sports best in one of the most iconic NASCAR races, the Southern 500®. For more information about Darlington Raceway, visit darlingtonraceway.com. Stay connected to Darlington Raceway on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the NASCAR Tracks App.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 12 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, X and Snapchat.

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Darlington Raceway