Thursday, September 2nd "What If" Question

Ask any track promoter and they're bound to tell you that their facility is better than anyone else's. From Daytona to Bristol or Martinsville and Talladega, each has their own unique characteristics. Perhaps none are as unique as the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina however.

Built in 1949 the track is egg-shapped due to a neighboring minnow pond that the land owner said he didn't want disturbed. Upon it's completion Darlington consisted of two turns that were bigger than the opposing two. Quickly nicknamed "The Lady in Black" and "Too Tough Too Tame" the racing didn't disappoint.

Drivers quickly realized this wasn't any other track, they would have to earn their money if they wanted to end the day in victory lane. From multi-car wrecks to single driver incidents, the Lady in Black would strike whenever a driver had let their guard down. But, she was also very giving when in 2003 she produced the closest margin of victory in NASCAR history when Kurt Busch and Ricky Craven went door-to-door, fender-to-fender to the finish line.

If it wasn't wrecks it was tires that stole the show. The tough 'ol track wasn't very kind to Goodyear eagles as they would usually be no good after 10 or 20 laps. Some drivers even said they were shot after driving their car from the garage to pit road. Even after being repaved it hasn't slowed anything down and Darlington is still one of the toughest tracks on the circuit, as well as one of the most respected.

But ...

What if Darlington wasn't shaped like an egg 'cause of a neighboring pond. Would it still have unique characteristics and be tough?

@DarlingtonChick What a very odd question! I would prefer tweeps not contemplate a non-egg shaped Darlington! Darlington is all things sacred to NASCAR faithful. But u already know this. ;-)

@stevewaid Not likely. But the fact is that it does. As other tracks have their unique characteristics.

@nathanmedic Yes, due to the grit-nature of the track causing massive tire-wear b/c of surrounding SC environment > import than.

@phathead I think it has more to do with the narrow lanes than the shape.

@RTiongson As Rockingham is located in North Carolina's Sand Hills, Darlington's location is such that the asphalt ages faster. I also credit its location. Even when they repave that track, the asphalt wears out and grinds those tires up. Classic racing.