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NASCAR: Darlington Raceway Reveals May Cup Series Race Finally Has a Name

NASCAR’s upcoming Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway now has a name. Darlington Raceway and Goodyear announced their partnership on the spring race as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR. The official name of the race, slated for Sunday, May 9, will be the Goodyear 400.

“Goodyear is one of the most iconic brands in the history of motorsports. We are proud to name our spring NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway the Goodyear 400,” Darlington president Kerry Tharp said in a news release. “Goodyear has been a part of many monumental moments in Darlington Raceway’s storied history. We look forward to writing a new chapter with Goodyear as part of the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.”

Goodyear Feels ‘Honored’ To be Apart of NASCAR Throwback Weekend

For Goodyear, the moment is also historic. The event marks the first time Goodyear will have a race entitlement in the country. However, the company does have a history at the raceway. The brand conducted its first official NASCAR tire tests at the track in 1954. The tire company won its first NASCAR victory in 1959 at the Southern 500 with Jim Reed.

“Goodyear is honored to be a part of the Official Throwback Weekend, a tradition that drivers and fans look forward to each year,” Goodyear’s VP of marketing, Karen Maroli said.

She added, “Goodyear and NASCAR have a shared legacy that spans six decades and multiple generations, and the throwback nature of the Goodyear 400 allows us to celebrate the accomplishments of the past while also showcasing the incredible talents of drivers today.”

The NASCAR Throwback Weekend will act as an honorary tribute to its history. Fans can expect to see racecars with vintage paint schemes that date back to the 1950s.

“Darlington Raceway is grateful to our loyal race fans and the entire industry for their unwavering support for the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR since its inception in 2015,” Tharp added. “It is this support that allows us to now prepare for two scheduled NASCAR Cup Series race weekends next year. As we rally around the return of our new spring race weekend, we will continue to share the history and tradition of our great sport with the Official Throwback Weekend of NASCAR.”

In addition, The Goodyear 400 will be the first of two Cup Series races at the Darlington track. The second race has been dubbed the Southern 500— set for September 5. The Southern 500 will also kick off the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.

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