This speedway is awash in history. It was NASCAR's first fully-paved track and held its first race, the inaugural Southern 500, in September 1950. Built on a peanut farm, the track got its unusual egg shape because the farm's owner requested that a minnow pond be left intact. The start-finish line was moved to the backstretch in 1997 because that was the only place more seats could be added. But for many competitors, its nickname still rings true: "Too Tough To Tame."

Date Opened: 1950
Location: Darlington, SC
First Race: Southern 500: September 4, 1950
Race record (1st race): Dale Earnhardt, 139.958 mph: March 28, 1993
Race record (2nd race): David Pearson, 132.699 mph: May 11, 1968
Distance: 1.366 miles
Front stretch: 1229
Back stretch: 1229
Degree of banking:
On Front Stretch: 3 Degrees
ON Back Stretch: 2 Degrees
Distance: 501.3 miles
Laps #: 367 laps
Seating capacity: 63000
Tickets: (843) 395-8499
Website: www.darlingtonraceway.com