Explore the stories, legends, and legacy that shaped NASCAR’s most historic track. Be sure to check back each week, as we will unveil new moments every Monday leading up to the Cook Out Southern 500 race week. And don’t forget to follow us across social to stay up-to-date and insider access!
The two-part spring 300-miler is run in 151-mile segments. Joe Weatherly wins the first segment and finishes second in the second segment. He is declared the overall winner via a points system.
The term “Darlington Stripe” is first introduced when Darlington Raceway Public Relations Director Russ Catlin tells the Columbia Record “when a driver takes the third turn, known to many as the Darlington Stripe, he will sideswipe the (guard) rail if he is going too high of a speed.”
Fireball Roberts wins the Southern 500 for the second time. Fireball averaged 129.784 a record speed, with no caution periods.
