Taking Failed to Qualify to a New High-Track Funk Race Recap

As you shake the funk off and get ready for some All Star action here is what you missed at Darlington. No one really expected to have their pre-race activities interrupted by the Jeremy Mayfield announcement. Speed graciously provided coverage as Fox was in the middle of a Tampa/Boston shut out. This was one of my favorite tracks and it did not disappoint! Mark Martin took the checkered flag, breaking a few of more records and potentially wrecking my fantasy league. Congratulations to Mark Martin and Alan Gustafson, who both have Daytona Beach ties.

And word to the person who thought that glitter was a good time in Victory Lane...it isn't, knock it off.

Photo courtesy of NASCAR.com

Darlington's Top Ten
1. #5 Mark Martin
2. #48 Jimmy Johnson
3. #14 Tony Stewart
4. #39 Ryan Newman
5. #24 Jeff Gordon
6. #1 Martin Truex Jr.
7. #25 Brad Keselowki
8. #16 Greg Biffle
9. #20 Joey Logano
10. #17 Matt Kenseth

There were 17 cautions (a new record at Darlington) and 23 lead changes among 13 leaders:

Lap Leaders

Matt Kenseth (1-16)
Jeff Gordon (17-22)
Jimmie Johnson (23-24)
Ryan Newman (25-71)
Kasey Kahne (72-82, 120, 162, 186)
Elliot Sadler (83-84)
Martin Truex Jr. (116-119, 217-249, 297-320)
Bobby Labonte (121-122)
Greg Biffle (123-161, 163-185, 187-215, 251-276)
Kyle Busch (216, 250)
Ryan Newman (277)
Joey Logano (278-296)
Tony Stewart (321)
Mark Martin (322-367)

Unofficial Standings, Results and a lap by lap recap are available at NASCAR.com. Stay tuned as NASCAR goes back to the boys home in Charlotte for two weeks! This week will bring some great All Star activities, kicking off Wednesday, May 13th with NASCAR Rev'd up featuring OAR.

If you haven't voted for the All Star race, might we suggest a couple for you? After last nights performance, to say Martin Truex Jr. is worthy of this race is an huge understatement. At the same time, Scott Riggs with Tommy Baldwin Racing need the money and the publicity that this race brings. So please vote and vote often! See you in Charlotte and Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Happy Hour, Darlington Style

We are saying cheers to The Lady in Black with Firefly Vodka which was created in Wadmalaw Island, SC (outside of Charleston). I did a piece on my "favorite drink in the entire universe" last year, which you can read in detail here. Luckily for ya'll, Firefly is widely available throughout the US now. Coincidentally enough, I introduced this cocktail to many of your favorite NASCAR guys, whose names are being kept confidential!

Follow along with Happy Hour here and PLEASE BE CAREFUL. This drink tastes exactly like sweet tea. It is dangerous, it is lethal and I do not take any blame if you decide to drunk dial your ex while drinking this today. Note to self, do not take this as a shot.

You have been warned so here's the recipe....
Megan's "Favorite drink in the entire universe"
Fill a high ball with Ice
1/2 Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka
1/2 water
Lots of lemon
I like to add a splash of sugar water to mine, I am sweet enough as it is but I am a southern chic!

Cheers Ya'll!

Darlington Drivers Appearances

South Carolina's phrase "Smiling faces. Beautiful places" couldn't be more fitting for this weekend in Darlington. Below are the drivers appearances for this week. If you know of any other appearances in South Cackalacky, please email us and we will add them to the list. Thanks Ya'll!

Thursday, May 7th
Brendan Gaughan is scheduled to sign autographs on behalf of 5-Hour Energy from 6:00-7:00pm at the BI-LO location in Darlington, SC located at 508 Lamar Highway.

Friday, May 8th
Justin Allgaier is scheduled to appear at the Penske Racing souvenir trailer from 1:00 - 1:30pm.

Saturday, May 9th
Brian Vickers is scheduled to sign autographs at the Red Bull souvenir trailer. The time will be posted on the trailer. A limited number of tickets will be available for autographs on a first come, first served basis due to time constraints.
David Ragan is scheduled to sign autographs at the UPS souvenir trailer at 3:00pm - 3:20pm.
Clint Bowyer is scheduled to sign autographs at his merchandise trailer at 3:30pm. Tickets will be distributed Saturday morning and will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Reed Sorenson is scheduled to sign autographs at the Richard Petty Motorsports hauler at 3:30pm.
David Stremme is scheduled to sign autographs at the Darlington Dodge display at 3:30pm.
Casey Mears is scheduled to sign autographs at the Jack Daniel's souvenir trailer at 3:45pm. A limited number of tickets will be available for autographs on a first come, first served basis due to time constraints.
AJ Allmendinger is scheduled to sign autographs at the Petty souvenir hauler at 4:00pm.
Sam Hornish Jr is scheduled to sign autographs at the Penske souvenir trailer from 4:00pm - 4:30pm.

Darlington Walls go retro thanks to Go Daddy

In honor of the tracks 60th year of racing, Darlington Raceway brings some nostalgia back this weekend thanks to Go Daddy.
Go Daddy, who is the race's presenting sponsor is a great match because they have spent a lot of marketing dollars in the NASCAR nation. Fairly, aside from the half naked Danica Patrick, it wasn't till Dale Jr did his testimonials that I even know who Go Daddy was. Dale Jr actually does a blog for Go Daddy on a regular basis. As far as the Fashionistas go, we love Go Daddy! They are English speaking and they are patient and they have sat with us on the phone for hours with technical support!

From the Darlington Raceway press release:

When spectators and competitors arrive at Darlington Raceway for the May 9th Southern 500 presented by GoDaddy.com everyone will notice one distinct difference – red and white retaining walls surrounding the track “Too Tough to Tame.”

“Giving the most famous walls on the NASCAR circuit a retro facelift seemed very fitting as part of our 60th celebration,” said track President, Chris Browning. “This is the first time since 1989 that the walls have been painted anything but white and it certainly reminds me of the early days of NASCAR racing.”

The walls are painted in 40-foot sections alternating red and white and took nearly 50 hours and 315 gallons of paint to complete. In addition to the red and white paint scheme, a retro font was used for the Darlington Raceway signage at the start/finish line.

Asked if he thought the new red and white paint scheme would make for a kinder, gentler wall Browning responded: “Ask Pearson or Yarborough how forgiving the walls were when they were racing here, but I know we will still see plenty of Darlington stripes in 2009.”

Darlington Raceway or the track “Too Tough to Tame” as it is known to many, is where the purest of NASCAR competition meets true southern hospitality. A NASCAR staple since 1950, Darlington Raceway has seen some of motorsports most talented drivers thunder to Victory Lane. In 2009, a NASCAR tradition, the Southern 500® presented by GoDaddy.com, will return as Darlington Raceway celebrates 60 Seasons of Racing.

Be a part of history when Darlington Raceway celebrates 60 years of racing in 2009. Tickets to the 2009 Southern 500® presented by GoDaddy.com, as well as the NASCAR Nationwide Series Diamond Hill Plywood 200 are on-sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.

Whats the Big Deal about Darlington?

photo courtesy of opg.com

As I gather information for our site for the week, I found this wonderful passionate article written by Cathy Elliot over at Paddock Talk. It gives you an in depth perspective of the history of how Darlington came to be. As we start heading over towards one of my favorite race tracks....yes, partly because of the name-I thought you would enjoy it as much as I did!