Darlington Bo

We are heading to a race under the lights on Saturday night. Whoooeee! No, really - I am looking forward to it. There are 12 of us going. Todd is coming down from the good ole' state of MI to join us. He gets in on Thursday evening, and Thursday just happens to be May 5 - Cinco de Mayo!! The plan is to go out for Mexican Food in the evening, pick Todd up at 10ish when his plane rolls in, and then head to Jakes. Should be a good time.

To get us in the mood for the race here are some Darlington Facts

• There have been 99 NASCAR Winston Cup (Grand National) races at Darlington since the track opened in 1950.
• Forty-two drivers have posted Bud Poles at Darlington.
• Bill Elliott leads all active drivers with five Bud Poles at Darlington.
• Retired driver David Pearson leads all drivers with 12 poles at Darlington.
• Charlie Glotzbach and Cale Yarborough posted identical qualifying times for the 1968 Southern 500. Glotzbach was credited with the pole because he qualified first.
• The race has been won from the pole on 19 occasions at Darlington, the most of any starting position.
• The furthermost back that a race winner has started at Darlington was 43rd in the inaugural Southern 500 in 1950 by Johnny Mantz. Since 1955, only Bobby Labonte (37th in the fall of 2000) and Ward Burton (37th in the fall 2001) have won at Darlington from a starting position further back than 15th.
• Only 12 of the 99 NASCAR Winston Cup (Grand National) races at Darlington have been won from a starting position outside the top 10.
  
• A total of 38 drivers have won NASCAR Winston Cup races at Darlington.
  
• Jeff Gordon leads all active drivers each with six victories at Darlington.
  
• Retired driver David Pearson leads all drivers with 10 victories at Darlington.
• In the 46 years of twice-yearly NASCAR Winston Cup racing at Darlington (1957 to 2002), a sweep has occurred nine times.
  
• Jeff Burton was the last driver to win both Darlington races in the same year (1999).
• The race at Darlington has been shortened by rain on eight occasions, six of those in the Labor Day classic.
  
• There has been only one race run caution-free at Darlington, the 1963 Rebel 300.