MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — With Atlantic waves rolling along the sundrenched Myrtle Beach shoreline, dignitaries gathered Friday at Plyer 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 75th 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.”