Project Overview: You can't rewrite history, but you can certainly repave it. Darlington Raceway is doing just that during the summer and fall of 2007. Work on the track's paving and tunnel construction project began in June.

Track officials announced in April that the Board of Directors of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) had approved more than $10 million in funding for capital projects at Darlington Raceway. Total estimated spending for the projects represents the largest one-time capital investment in the 58-year history of the storied facility.

Construction on Darlington Raceway began in 1949 and the track hosted the first-ever NASCAR-sanctioned race on a paved speedway on Labor Day 1950. Darlington was last repaved in the fall of 1995. The first race run on the new pavement was in the spring of 1996. Ward Burton won the pole with a speed of 173.797 mph -- a record run that stands to this day.

The track solicited input on the upcoming repaving project from several current drivers, along with team owners and engineers and representatives from NASCAR and the Goodyear Tire Company. Schedule completion date for the project is November 30.

Photo Galleries
	JEFF BURTON FIRST NASCAR DRIVER TO SEE NEW SURFACE AT DARLINGTON RACEWAY DARLINGTON, S.C. (Feb. 20, 2008) – Construction crews working to repave Darlington Raceway received a visit from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton on Wednesday. Burton, driver of the No. 31 AT&T Mobility Richard Childress Racing entry, spent time talking with the crew working on the project and then went to work himself, driving a milling machine in turn 3. “I have never driven so slow at Darlington,” joked Burton after he finished milling the asphalt in turn 3. “A project of this magnitude shows a commitment to Darlington Raceway, and that is something that race fans everywhere should be very pleased with.” Burton, winner of the 50th Southern 500 (August 22, 1999), was also presented with a historic piece of the start-finish line by Darlington Raceway President, Chris Browning. “Jeff has been one of Darlington Raceway’s biggest fans,” said Browning. “His milestone win in the 50th Southern 500 was part of a season sweep that he accomplished in 1999 at Darlington, and it seemed fitting that he receive a piece of the historic start-finish line.” “I consider winning the 50th Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway the biggest win of my career,” said Burton. “Winning at Darlington is more than a trip to victory lane and a trophy; it means your name goes down in the record books as a winner at one of NASCAR’s most historic tracks.” Don’t miss your chance to see Jeff Burton and the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as they take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on 9th. Order your tickets and Colvin Grill all-you-can-eat package now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 34 Darlington, S.C. (Feb. 4, 2008) - The infamous wall that has dashed so many Darlington dreams and caused countless "Darlington Stripes" began to take shape on Monday as crews re-assembled the outer SAFER barrier wall at Darlington Raceway. Paving began at the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the mid January and with the outer groove of the track complete, construction crews are now focusing on finishing the racing surface and infield access tunnel in advance of the 2008 Dodge Challenger 500. The new asphalt surface at Darlington Raceway is part of a $10 million dollar capital improvement project that began following the 2007 Dodge Avenger 500. In addition to the new racing surface, work is also underway to complete a new infield access tunnel large enough to accommodate race car haulers, motorcoaches and emergency vehicles. Don't miss your chance to see the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as they take on the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the USAC Silver Crown Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on May 8th and 9th, respectively. Order your tickets and Colvin Grill all-you-can-eat package now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 32 Crews work to pave pit road at Darlington Raceway. In addition to the new asphalt, new concrete pit boxes have been added.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 31 Engine noise could be heard coming from historic Darlington Raceway on Monday well in advance of the 2008 Dodge Challenger 500. The engine noise came not from race cars, but from construction equipment being used to lay the first of two layers of new asphalt at the track "Too Tough to Tame." "This is a historic day for Darlington Raceway," said Chris Browning, Darlington Raceway President. "It has been a busy off-season at Darlington Raceway and we look forward to showcasing our new racing surface and infield access tunnel for fans and competitors during the upcoming Dodge Challenger 500 weekend." The new asphalt surface at Darlington Raceway is part of a $10 million dollar capital improvement project that began following the 2007 Dodge Avenger 500. In addition to the new racing surface work is also underway to complete a new infield access tunnel large enough to accommodate race car haulers, motorcoaches and emergency vehicles. Don't miss your chance to see the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as they take on the track "Too Tough to Tame" in the Dodge Challenger 500 on May 10, 2008. The racing action kicks off with the USAC Silver Crown Series and the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 on May 8th and 9th, respectively. Order your tickets now by calling 1-866-459-RACE or logging onto http://www.racetickets.com.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 30 Backfilling Begins at Darlington Raceway Darlington, S.C. (January 7, 2008) - Construction crews were busy at work Monday at Darlington Raceway as they began to backfill dirt around the newly constructed infield access tunnel. In addition to backfilling around the tunnel, crews are also busy water-proofing the top and sides of the newly constructed tunnel as well as adding concrete forms for the winged walls on the tunnel's infield entrance/exit.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 23 In Week 23, the project pace has hit a new gear, as the pre-cast tunnel roof sections have begun to be placed, milling has begun on the actual race surface, and the existing tunnels have been reinforced to handle upcoming track paving operations.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 22 The milling of pit road and pouring of concrete pit stalls continues.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 20 & 21 Tunnel floor concrete slabs and seven foot sections of tunnel wall continue to be poured. The tunnel roof should be put on at the beginning of next week. The asphalt pit boxes were removed at the end of last week and the team is replacing them with a concrete surface. Using concrete versus asphalt will eliminate the damage caused by fuel, oils and other miscellaneous substances that are left behind.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 19 Additional sections of the tunnel floor were being poured at the end of last week. The paving process started on Friday with the team putting down test strips. The milling of pit road began over the weekend and will continue throughout the week.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 18 Sections of the tunnel floor are now being poured.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 17 Prepping for the pouring of the tunnel floor.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 16 Today, concrete was poured to hold the wet well, beneath the tunnel floor, in place. The wet well is the area where rain water is collected and pumped out. This process was completed today.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 15 On Monday, a few feet of concrete for the tunnel floor will be poured. The team has finished excavation, so everything will be "uphill" from here.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 14 It's a busy week at the track "Too Tough To Tame." The construction team is currently laying black fabric on the bottom of the tunnel hole. One foot of stone is being put on top of that fabric and will be wrapped in geogrid (waterproofing) material. These steps should be completed by the end of the week. The milling process should begin in approximately one month. Milling consists of grating the tracks surface 3 to 4 inches down and must take place prior to repaving.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 13 Phase III excavation for the tunnel will take place for the next 2 days. Next, the team will place stone bedding in the bottom of the tunnel foundation. This is a one day process. On Monday, the installation of the waterproofing will begin. The main focus next week will be finding a location for the wet well, a permanent system that pumps rain runoff out of the tunnel.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 12 The team continues to insert the final tie backs and expect the project to be completed by beginning of next week. Once completed, phase III excavation will take place for 1 to 2 days. The next steps involve the tunnel floor. Workers will put down one foot of stone, wrapped in fabric, to build a stable base in the bottom of the hole. Waterproofing will be inserted and rebar will be placed on top of it. They will then be ready to pour 2.5 ft of concrete to serve as the base for the tunnel floor. This project is about 3 weeks away. The milling of the track's asphalt will start in approximately one month.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 11 The main operation this week is continuing the installation of tie backs. These are 80 foot long rods that are drilled into the earth to stabilize the embankment of the tunnel. Once the final tie backs are installed there will be several more days of excavation. This leads the construction team to the beginning stages of inserting the tunnel floor.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 10 The main operation this week is installation of additional tie backs. Tie backs are approximately 80 ft long rods that are inserted into holes drilled in the embankment to allow the structure stability. More excavation has taken place the last two days in order to get to the correct elevation to insert these tie backs. Once the tie backs are installed there will be a few more days of excavation and then inspections will take place to assure the tunnel can be supported.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 9 We are currently installing well points to dewater the tunnel for excavation. This process should be completed by the end of the week. The asphalt plant is set up and Phase II Excavation and installation of sheeting tiebacks will begin early next week and last for approximately one week.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 8 In Week 8, crews continued driving sheets to stabilize the ground for Phase 2 excavation. In addition, the on-site asphalt plant was constructed
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 7 Phase 1 of tunnel excavation was completed this week and the crew began to drive sheets to stabilize the ground for Phase 2 excavation
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 6 Excavating to make way for the new infield access tunnel continues.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 5 The track is leveled to make way for the new tunnel, which will sit approximately 35 feet below the current surface.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Media Day Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning was joined by Harold Brasington III and Jim and John Ramsey for an official groundbreaking on July 18.
	Darlington Repaving Project - Week 1 Removal of the track's SAFER (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction) barriers, which were installed in 2004

Videos

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