www.newsandpres.net WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 #TraditionContinues #BojanglesSo500 Welcome Race Fans!

ALSO INSIDE : l WELCOME TO DARLINGTON

l BARRY “GREG BRADY” WILLIAMS & KANSAS l MEET KERRY THARP

SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN DRIVE A RACE CAR?

DALE EARNHARDT, JR. RECALLS LOCAL DRIVER

l THINGS TO DO

DANICA PATRICK IN DARLINGTON

A special publication of The News & Press , Darlington, S.C. Scenes from 2015 Bojangles’ Southern 500 Look for photo galleries from this year’s event! We just may snap YOU! www.newsandpress.net

Getting you back on track – fast. No Appointment Needed – Open 7 Days a Week.

For most non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses – more convenient access, shorter waits and lower costs make everybody feel like a winner. McLeod Urgent Care Centers are fully sta ed and provide treatment options for both children and adults. We’re ready to get you back on track as quickly as possible.

McLeod Urgent Care Centers – the care you need when there’s no time to wait. • Colds, u, and ear infections • Flu vaccines • Minor burns and injuries • Occupational medicine • Minor lacerations and wound care • Each McLeod Urgent Care Center • Sprains, strains, and broken bones has a fully equipped x-ray department • School, sports, camp, and work physicals McLeod Urgent Care Centers www.McLeodUrgentCare.org

Darlington: 964 Lochend Drive 843-777-6890 • Florence: 3015 West Palmetto Street 843-777-6870 Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm Saturday and Sunday 9 am-4 pm

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 2 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500

WWe are edelighlted cto welocome ymou to our e to the City of Darlington! town for the 67th running of the Southern 500. ’s new president Kerry Tharp and his team have done a fabulous job for this year’s events. We welcome you, the race fan, into our hearts and homes during this special time of year because Southern hospitality and the Southern 500 go hand-in-hand. Please take time to enjoy the beauty and history of the City of Darlington and Darlington County during weekend. See what makes Darlington the Pearl of the Pee Dee region. Enjoy the races, and please drive carefully on the way home as we want you to return next year.

Gloria C. Hines Mayor City of Darlington, SC

Antiques Trail: All Star Darlington Veterans The News & Press Sports Cards Plus, 114 Memorial and Old Serving Darlington County since 1874 Cashua St.; B&B Variety & Darlington Mural. Try tasty 117 S. Main St., Antiques, 703 Pearl St.; seafood at Bay Island Darlington, SC 29532 Welcome Darlington Raceway Stock Seafood, 1316 S. Main St., Phone (843) 393-3811 Car Museum, 1301 Harry or Mayflower Seafood, Fax (843) 393-6811 Byrd Highway; Scarlett’s 1765 Harry Byrd Hwy. For www.newsandpress.net RBay Lisca Cehalia nF-Roack ns! Antiques, 500 E. Broad St.; barbecue, try Nick’s BBQ, DDRA Director So-lina Auction Market Inc., 310 S. Main St., or STAFF 2085 Lamar Hwy.; The Lindbergh’s BBQ, 1215 S. General Manager: Morrey Thomas While you are here for the race, the Jeweler’s Bench, 60 Public Main St. mthomas@newsandpress .net Darlington Downtown Revitalization Square Need clothing? Adore Editor: Jana E. Pye Association invites you to Getting hungry? Step Fashions, 601 Pearl St.; editor@newsandpress .net #ShopDarlington with our local stores, back to the 1950s for Merle Norman, 84 Public Staff Writer: Samantha Lyles restaurants and shops. Take a photo of you American and Greek special - Square; Raven’s Closet, 18 slyles@newsandpress .net at your favorite, and tag the DDRA, ties at Taki’s Diner, 609 Pearl Public Square; Goody’s Design: Duane Childers @ddraSC, using the hash tag St. Fill up at a meat-and- Department Store, 514 ads@newsandpress .net #ShopDarlington. We will cross post it to three full of Southern charm Lamar Highway; or Roses, Advertising: Charlotte Berger our Facebook page, DarlingtonDowntown, at Jewel’s Deluxe on the 502 Pearl St. sales@newsandpress .net and we will share in The News & Press. Public Square or Joe’s Grill, 306 Russell St. Looking for something special? Office Manager: Judy Rogers Stop by the Liberty Lane Walk of Fame Try Italian favorites at Mamma Mia’s Drop by Flower Baskets By Becky, 204 judy@newsandpress .net to see the Southern 500 mural and the Italian Kitchen or Mexican fare at Russell St.; Bella Domani, 109 Russell St.; handprints of all the Southern 500 win - Tenampa Mexican Restaurant. For finer The Park Florist, 212 Pearl St.; or SUBSCRIPTIONS ners from 1950 to 2000. The brick walk - fare, check out Sweet Jane’s Café & Wine Darlington Florist, 222 W. Broad St. In-state subscriptions: One year $30 way connects downtown parking to Pearl Bar, 26 Public Square. All three are down - We hope you enjoy your time in Out-of-state subscriptions: $40 Street and the Public Square. town within walking distance of the Darlington, and come back to see us! Love antiques? Shop the Darlington

NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 3 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 SOUTHERN 500 Kerry Tharp “couldn’t be more excited” about becoming President of Darlington Raceway at a track that’s highly sought out and Award, and the track had the By Hunter Thomas highly regarded by competitors and by NASCAR Marketing Team of the Special to the News and Press the fans, means the world to me.” Year, as well as the NASCAR Although Kerry Tharp is a native When Tharp worked at NASCAR as a Track PR Representative of the Kentuckian, he’s no stranger to the state Senior Director of Racing Communi- Year. The Lady In Black was even of South Carolina. cations, he helped lead the at-track a Sports Business Journal Most South Carolinians know Tharp efforts in the media center, as well as the “Sports Event of the Year” from when he served as the Associate public relations efforts for the NASCAR Nominee earlier this year. With Athletic Director for Media Relations at Research and Development Center, locat - that being said, Kerry Tharp also the University of South Carolina from ed in Concord, . believes in the throwback cam - 1985 to 2005, but the Gamecock afi - “Anytime that you step into a new paign, and he looks to lead the cionado has been working in NASCAR role, there’s going to be some efforts to even higher levels. ever since. unknowns,” Tharp said. “There certainly “I always want to be thinking “I couldn’t be more excited,” Tharp are with this. I have a lot to learn to be ahead,” Tharp said. “I think that said. “I actually never left South honest with you. I’m going to have to rely the throwback theme is a great Carolina. When I took the job at on the staff that they have in Darlington, fit for Darlington, and I think NASCAR, we stayed in South Carolina a great deal. Chip Wile did an outstand - that it can be applied for many, continue to focus on the young people. and were living in Fort Mill, which is ing job with the two-plus years that he many years to come. There’s so much his - They’ve really got to start at a really really the last community that you can was there, getting the excitement and the tory in the sport. There are so many early age and get them to get to the race - live in before you get to the North energy back around the track. The move heroes in the sport. What I would like to track with their parents, with their rela - Carolina line. But to be able to come to to the Labor Day weekend was just a bril - see happen is that this history and the tives and have a good experience. Darlington, a track that has so much his - liant move. I think that’s where it heroes of the sport are transposed over to There’s so much going on out there in tory and tradition and having been in the belongs.” the new fans, the young people in the the sports world now. We’ve got to be state of South Carolina for more than 30 To say that the first year of Darlington state and around the region that maybe progressive, and NASCAR has been years, I love this state. I love its people, Raceway’s throwback campaign was a aren’t familiar with the history or the sto - doing a great job the last few years rely - and I know that Darlington is special to success is an understatement. In 2015, ries of tradition that surround this sport.” ing on technology and making things a this state and also very special to the Darlington Raceway was awarded the “I would like to be able to tie that in little bit more fan friendly.” sport of NASCAR. To have that combina - prestigious National Motorsports Press and connect with them because we’ve tion and be able to come over and work Association (NMPA) Myers Brothers got to grow our fan base. We’ve got to Hunter Thomas is a Darlington native. Follow him at www.thefourthturn.com

The SC Sweet Potato Festival includes a day of fun for the whole family on the courthouse Square in Darlington, South Carolina. The event includes well over 100 vendors of food, crafts, games, and exhibits from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. Sweet potatoes and sweet potato dishes abound. Throughout the day entertainment takes place along with a classic/antique car show. Admission is free. For more information, visit the Pilot Club website at www.darlingtonpilotclub.org or contact Ruth Flowers at 843- WELCOME RACE FANS & FRIENDS 393-3526. www.darlingtonsconline.com • 843-398-4000

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 4 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 Jr. reminisces about competing

who worked in the NASCAR puts in his tires. By Hunter Thomas against Darlington’s Rudy Branham Special to the News and Press Sprint Cup Series garages, and “I liked racing with Rudy,” one of them was Dale Earnhardt Earnhardt Jr. said. “The funniest Back in April when Dale Jr. The day that Rudy lost his thing: Rudy would come to the Earnhardt Jr. was at Darlington battle with cancer, the NASCAR track, and he would pull his car Raceway to unveil his #88 Sprint Cup Series was at off of the trailer, get his tires, set Nationwide Insurance paint , and Dale them down, air them up and scheme he’ll run in the 67th Earnhardt Jr. sent out a condo - then he’d sit there. He’d eat a annual Bojangles’ Southern 500, lence tweet, which read: sandwich, drink a drink, what - he took a few moments to talk “One of my fellow competitors ever. I didn’t know many guys about racing against Darlington and friends from racing late mod - over there. I just always didn’t legend, Rudy Branham at els at I-95 in Florence, SC has really associate with too many Florence Motor Speedway. passed from cancer. Rudy people, but I went over to Rudy Rudy Branham, a local Late Branham. RIP buddy.” and I said, ‘Rudy what do you do Model racer from Darlington Branham had raced against with air pressure,’ and he says, ‘I lost his life to cancer at only 60 the young Earnhardt Jr. on a just put 28 pounds in all of years old on March 28, 2015. regular basis at Florence Motor them. I don’t even measure Rudy was known in his home - Speedway for four years. During them. I just put them on the car, town as an easygoing guy, who that time, Earnhardt Jr. was still and I go run’. And I was like, was a walking encyclopedia of trying to make a name for him - man that’s cool. Even if he was - the others drivers, team mem - “He just enjoyed being at the . He’d even take self, and Rudy was a well-sea - n’t telling me the truth, I don’t bers and fans. Everyone Rudy track and racing, and he’s going time out of his Mondays to co- soned veteran full of knowledge. even know, but he didn’t seem talked with, he left a lasting to be missed and certainly, it’s host “That’s Racing” on Eagle “Yeah, I raced with Rudy at to be too concerned about what impression. On the afternoon of fun for me to remember those 92.9 with Dan E. Lockemy and Florence every weekend I raced was going to go on that night.” Wednesday, April 13 at times and think back to all of at times, with former Darlington at Florence for four years,” No matter what kind of day Darlington Raceway, you could those guys that I used to race Raceway president Chip Wile Earnhardt Jr. said. Rudy was having at the race - hear the same spark in against, and Rudy was one of and myself. One story that Earnhardt Jr. track, you certainly couldn’t tell Earnhardt Jr.’s tone as he talked them that I enjoyed being Rudy’s reputation went far remembers very vividly is when it through his grin. He was just with the media about racing at around even outside of the car, beyond the Palmetto State. He he asked Rudy how many so happy to be at the racetrack Florence Motor Speedway and he was just a real easy going had a good of friends pounds of air pressure that he and have that camaraderie with with Rudy. guy.”

Carolina Bank Your Finish Line for Full Service Banking! ree great locations to serve you better.

Darlington, SC 104 Orange Street - Main Office 843-398-8400 (ph) 843-398-8025 (fax) Lamar, SC Society Hill, SC 112 Main Street 121 S. Main Street 843-326-5557 (ph) 843-378-4581 (ph) 843-326-7042 (fax) 843-378-4469 (fax)

NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 5 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 SOUTHERN 500 So, do you think that you can drive a race car? I immediately noticed that I could see the By Hunter Thomas Special to the News and Press top of the hood and that was about it. I could just barely see over the steering I have people all the time tell me that wheel. driving a race car can’t be that difficult. A few days later, I visited the shop After all, some folks travel to work driv - once again, and this time, I put on the ing 80-plus mph down the interstate. helmet, HANS and firesuit. I climbed into Well, I’m here to share my first-hand the car and strapped in. Goodness, the experience at driving a race car, and it experience immediately switched gears. certainly was not an easy task. With the helmet and HANS, I could see Ever since I was a little boy pushing and move even less. After a while of just my diecast cars across the living room sitting in the car with the engine off, my floor, I’ve always wanted to actually get claustrophobia kicked in a little, and I behind the wheel of a race car, and on had to take off the HANS. He gave me a Friday, March 25, my good friend, Toby slightly different helmet, and I felt so Milligan let me take his Charger car for a much better. spin around Florence Motor Speedway. I tested the car at Florence Motor Now, as a fan who has been watching Speedway on March 25 and that particu - NASCAR since the early 1990s and as a lar day at work, I had a hard time not journalist who has been working in the concentrating on the car. I wanted to media centers since 2010, I knew that have fun, but I also didn’t want to crash. I this was an incredible opportunity that can only imagine what goes through a PHOTOS BY DAVID YEAZELL had to be treated with the utmost racer’s mind the day of a race. I’m sure respect. car, so I’ve been formally introduced to his race shop located not too far away everything from what move they are It all started with a Facebook post real . Well, that Facebook post was from Florence Motor Speedway, and I sat going to make to how they are going to with me jokingly saying that I could out - quickly answered by Toby, saying that down in the car, just to get familiar with find speed crosses their mind. run everyone at the local short tracks if whenever I wanted to clock a few laps it. I’m a little claustrophobic, so I just sat When I got to the track, I was so someone would just give me a chance. around the track and strike the experi - there for a little while trying to memorize focused on getting into the car that I Now, I had ridden in a retired ence off of my bucket list to let him know. where everything was, whether it’d be locked my keys in my truck and was NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car at I didn’t hesitate to take him up on the shifting without looking or where all of unable to install my GoPro into the car. I before, and I’ve offer, but I wanted to do it safely and the switches were. Like I said, I’ve sat didn’t let it faze me. I just jumped in and bravely volunteered to be a passenger in right. inside a couple of race cars before but strapped the belts. One of my most proud ’s Red Bull Global Rallycross Following a day at work, I stopped by never with the intentions of driving one. moments of my experience is when I took

Enjoy the race with $3.50 Sub of Day an ice-cold ! the TM Try a different 6-inch Sub each Day! Beginning Sept. 6 - Oct. 9

• Sales & Support • Complete Photo 1001 Pearl Street, Darlington • Custom Built & Restoration Pre-Built Computers • Video Conversion 843-393-6529 • On Site Service Mon - Fri: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. 843-383-8831 www.warp3computers.com Sat: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sun: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 423 S. 5th Street, Hartsville [email protected]

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 6 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500

off pit road without stalling the car. get a little faster, and I didn’t want to That may not sound like a big deal, espe - screw up. My heart was beating so fast cially to those folks who grew up driving when I pushed in the clutch and pulled a manual transmission, but I grew up the car onto pit road. Even though I did - with an automatic transmission. The only n’t quite hit 100 mph, it was an experi - manual transmission that I had ever ence that I’ll never forget. It really put all played around with was the one in my of my writings into perspective. I was Dad’s Jeep and one of my friend’s old, definitely a little sore the following day. beat up farm truck. So, you think you can successfully Once I got onto the track, I was just so drive a race car? I hope that when you incredible amazed at how nothing else finally get the chance, you don’t make mattered. All I was focused on was hit - any bonehead moves and treat the expe - ting my marks and listening to the rience with respect. Although it looks engine. Now, one thing that I just didn’t easy and you may have reached triple know to start off with was how terrible a digits driving down a back road, every - race car sounds when you’re inside one. thing changes when you put all of that It sounds like the engine is about to gear on and strap into a boiling hot hunk explode. From years of taking photos, of steel. It’s certainly not going to be your I’ve learned to differentiate the sounds of average Sunday drive. There’s no air con - a race car, but once inside, all I heard was ditioning or your favorite song blaring. this loud mechanical chaos. I thought for It’s just you, God, the race car and a little while that I was in third gear physics. when really I was in fourth, and I kept Now that I’ve gotten a little track time, shifting to find fourth. hopefully the next time I get back behind Anyway, I figured it out and got set - the wheel I’ll be able to go a little bit tled in, hitting my marks and trying to As I began to clock laps, I noticed that that really shocked me is that I could see faster. After this experience, I certainly find speed. I wasn’t the slightest bit I wasn’t getting any fresh air, and the car - a lot better than I thought I would be have more respect for the drivers, even scared. There were a few instances where bon monoxide was really starting to able to as far as looking straight out of those on the grassroots level. I knew I didn’t know if I was going to make the make me feel uncomfortable. Add that the windshield. Now, keep in mind, I did heading into the experience that it was turn or not, but I stayed confident. dirty air to the heat of the car, and you not have anyone in front of me or behind going to certainly be more challenging Florence Motor Speedway doesn’t have a begin to get a little sick after a good bit of me. than wheeling my F-150 around the wall on the backstretch or through the laps. Also, my head and arms began to At one point, I did get a little cocky, highway, but I just didn’t know how chal - turns, and believe it or not, I actually felt get really tired. I eventually just had to and I gave my fellow photographer, lenging. more comfortable exiting Turn 4 with the lay my head up against the head rest, David Yeazell a thumbs up as I dove into wall, because I felt that I could pick up because I wasn’t wearing a HANS device Turn 1. But, after about 35 laps or so, I Hunter Thomas is a Darlington native. Follow him the exit in my sight much more quickly. to help support my neck. The one thing called it a day. After all, I was starting to at www.thefourthturn.com

StartStart TheThe RaceRace New Guns WithWith TheThe BestBest DealsDeallss Made By InIn TownTToown

All your Plus a huge assortment of good used guns, race needs VKRWJXQVSLVWROV ULÁHV in one place 100 EAST BROAD STREET, DARLINGTON 843-944-0345 207 S. Main St. Darlington PALMETTO PAWN AND GUN @ FACEBOOK [email protected] 843-393-0885 021)5,$030‡6$7$030

NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 7 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 SOUTHERN 500 2017,” Patrick said. “I’ve been working on it – I guess the conversations really started at the end of 2015, but since January, I’ve been developing a line, developing the style and everything from selling it to someone, to the name itself, to the logo and it has been a really cool process. It Has A Passion For Cooking has been really fun for me. “I went to the company that’s manufacturing the clothes. I went to their office and saw a model walk out with a 2017 January clothing line. We still have to work through some details, but it was cool to actually see it on In TBy hHuntere Thom as Kitchen And Designing Clothes somebody, and we were looking at the April lines, so Special to the News and Press there will be five launches a year.” Beyond the racetrack, Danica Patrick Whether she’s on the track, in the gym or sharpening focuses on her love for cooking and her entrepreneurial skills, Danica gives it her all every designing clothes. day in everything that she does. She’s a competitor by Traveling to 38 races a year, signing nature, and you can be assured that whatever she gets autographs and talking with the media involved with, she’s going strive to be the best. can be exhausting, and that’s why Danica Patrick has a deep interest in an array of Hunter Thomas is a journalist who grew up in hobbies outside of the cockpit of her race Darlington, S.C. His first motorsports-based endeavor was car and the garage area. With the tight working as the Public Relations Director at Dillon Motor schedule of events that goes along with Speedway in Dillon, S.C., and his journalism start came being a superstar in the NASCAR Sprint while he was freelancing at his hometown newspaper, the Cup Series, Patrick takes time out of the News & Press while in college. day to carefully craft meals for boyfriend Hunter has been working within the NASCAR industry Ricky Stenhouse Jr., her pet dogs and her - since 2010, and throughout the years, he has done every - self. thing from PR/Marketing for drivers and teams in the “I just developed a love for cooking,” NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series and Patrick said. “I would say that I’m an artis - NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, to working at tic person, so I think that cooking is a bit Rockingham Speedway. As a journalist, Hunter has covered of an art form, and there’s a balance, both everything from regional short tracks to NASCAR, ARCA flavor wise and aesthetics to making food Racing Series, World of Outlaws, Red Bull Global and presenting it. I really like all parts of Rallycross, NHRA and much more. Read more at: www.the - it. I can get quite lost in cooking all day if I fourthturn.com have the time.” Follow Hunter Thomas on Twitter by following, Kerry Tharp joins Danica Patrick as she speaks to students at Darlington High School Her passion for cooking began in her @HunterThomas08 PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES late teens, when she was living alone. Wanting to stay healthy and not eat out, she began experimenting with cooking. When she’s at the racetrack, most morn - Monday: ings start off with a wet kiss from her 8 oz. Sizzlin Sirloin...... $8.39 dogs, telling her that it’s time to get up and start creating masterpieces in the Tuesday: kitchen. After taking the dogs out, she’ll Sirloin Tips...... $7.39 get the coffee going and then begin craft - Wednesday: ing breakfast, not only for her, but also for her four legged companions and of 12 oz. Sizzlin’ Sirloin...... $10.39 course, Stenhouse Jr. Thursday: “Lately my breakfast has been sweet 8 oz. Chopped Sirloin...... $6.39 potato hash browns and maybe some ground beef and avocado, maybe spinach, Friday: maybe egg, maybe bacon – not all of those 12 oz. Sizzlin Sirloin...... $10.39 things at once, but most of them,” Patrick said. “So I’ll start that, and then I’ll get the Saturday: dogs’ food ready, which I make most of 9 oz. Thick Sirloin w/Salad Bar.....$12.39 their food. I blend it with some other WELCOME canned food, but I make most of their Danica Patrick cooks with local chef Dale Barth of Town Hall at South of Pearl Sunday: food, which is ground beef with peas and PHOTO BY SAMANTHA LYLES 8 oz. Sizzlin’ Sirloin w/Salad Bar..$11.39 carrots. So then I feed the dogs, and then track personnel and guests. Dr. Eddie Ingram, Superintendent, also asking her questions. Ms. Patrick RACE when Ricky (Stenhouse Jr.) decides to Also while in Darlington, Patrick Darlington County School District. “The earned quite a few friends and fans today, Open to Close! wake up I’m like ‘Babe, what do you want stopped by Darlington High School to Carolina’s Kids organization does an and we were excited to play host to her FANS! Limited Time Offer to eat?’, and he’ll tell me waffles or eggs help pack food for non-profit organiza - amazing job of providing food sacks for and the great folks at Darlington All Specials include a Side & Bread or bacon, and then I make that.” tion, Carolina’s Kids, Inc. Darlington our students who may face food insecurity Raceway.” On Tuesday August 2, the driver of the H BE & Free Ice Cream & Bakery Bars Raceway presented the organization with during the weekend. Ms. Patrick and Outside of racing and the kitchen, A FRES EF CUT Stewart-Haas Racing No. 10 Nature’s USD DAIL a check of $2,500 during the event as Darlington Raceway president Kerry Patrick is also working on launching a r, Hot Bar, Bakery, De Y d Ba ssert Dine-in Only Bakery SS stopped by well. Patrick mentioned how important Tharp were gracious enough to help pack clothing line in January of 2017. The line Sala Bar Darlington to help promote the upcoming food was not only to stay healthy but also more than 110 bags for our students to will be called Warrior by Danica Patrick. Visit us on the web at You’re SPECIAL Every Day! Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington happy. Following the packing of food, she take home this weekend. She also found Talks of the clothing line began in 2015, Florencequincys.com Florencewesternsizzlin.com Raceway. While in town, she showcased spoke with first-year teachers and partici - time to greet the Darlington County but the idea really came to fruition in her cooking skills at the South of Pearl. pated in a Q&A session with students and School District “rookie team,” our first- January of this year. Patrick is without a Throughout the event, she assisted Town school personnel. year teachers. And of course, through her doubt an artistic individual, so she’s been FRESH BEEF NEVER FROZEN – FRESH BAKED CROISSANTS & YEAST ROLLS – FRESH SALAD/HOT BAR – DESSERT BAR Hall’s Dale Barth and Bobby Hodge, as “We were delighted to have Danica back-to-school backpack drive, our com - able to spearhead the efforts head-on. Quincy’s - www.florencequincys.com Western Sizzlin - www.florencewesternsizzlin.com well as South of Pearl’s culinary artist, Patrick stop by and pitch in at the munity members had a chance to provide “I’m developing an ath-leisure clothing Trey Calcutt prepare meals for media, Darlington County School District,” said new backpacks for at-risk students while line that will come out in January of Fri & Sat 10:30 am-10 pm, Sun-Thurs 10:30 am-9:00 pm Fri & Sat 10:30am-10pm, Sun-Thurs 10:30am-9:30pm 843-667-6996 – I-95 & Highway 52 843-665-5965 – I-20 & I-95 - FLORENCE

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 8 9 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees , , and serve as Bojan2g0l1e7s N’ ASSoCAuRt hHealrl nof F5a0me0rs Gto rsaayn thde cMomamrasndhals to ‘start engines’ alongside Bojangles’ CEO Clifton Rutledge Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick and Childress Racing, have posted 105 NSCS Martin and Rick Hendrick. The race “Darlington is very special to me, and Mark Martin, all of whom will be induct - wins since he founded the team in 1969. weekend is already special enough with I’m so grateful to the track for this ed into the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class His team has recorded 472 top-five NSCS the ‘throwback’ theme, but this will make honor,” Hendrick said. “It’s still sinking in of 2017, will serve as Grand Marshals for finishes and won 12 national series it that much more special.” that I’m a part of such an incredible Hall the Bojangles’ Southern 500 at championships, which is second all-time Hendrick, founder of Hendrick of Fame class. Richard and Mark are Darlington Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 4. in the sport’s history. RCR is the first Motorsports in 1984, owns an all-time great friends and competitors, and it Accompanied by Bojangles’ CEO organization to win championships in all record 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car means a lot to share these experiences Clifton Rutledge, the three legends will three of NASCAR’s national series. Much owner championship titles -- six with with them.” give the command to start the engines of his success came with driver Dale , four with In a 31-year career, Martin won 40 for the iconic race – one that will again Earnhardt Sr., who won 67 career Cup and one with . Hendrick career NASCAR premier series races, feature “throwback” paint schemes hon - races for RCR, including eight victories at also has 14 total NASCAR national series including the 1993 and 2009 Southern oring NASCAR’s storied history and her - Darlington Raceway. owner championships, which is most in 500 at Darlington Raceway. He also won itage. “Darlington Raceway is one of my NASCAR history. His drivers have won an eight NASCAR XFINITY Series races at Childress and Hendrick are two of the favorite race tracks. I remember going astounding 242 NSCS races with 1,000 Darlington, which is still the most in most successful owners in NASCAR there when I was very young and seeing top-five finishes. series history. Sprint Cup Series history, and their com - some of my heroes race there,” Childress Hendrick has 14 NASCAR Cup wins at “It is my honor to be co-grand marshal bined seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series said. “Now, it’s really neat to say that I’m Darlington Raceway, including seven for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 with two cars will each feature special paint going to be the grand marshal for the with Gordon. Johnson’s victory at of my heroes,” said Martin. “Richard schemes for the race. race, and I couldn’t think of two better Darlington in 2012 gave him his 200th Childress and Rick Hendrick are two of Childress and his team, Richard people to do it alongside of than Mark career NSCS win in the sport. my favorite people in racing. I'm also

Genesis Health Care Is To You As Racing Is To Darlington

Race to the finish line with ... 201 Cashua Street - Darlington - (843) 393 - 7452 Alexander H. Cohen, MD Industrial Brian M. Heaster, MD James D. McInnis, MD Elizabeth H. Jeffords, MD Paving Isabel Menzoda-Olivero, MD Brent J. Baroody, MD 712 Mineral Springs Road Moneka A. Patterson, FNP-C Darlington Alice D. Caldwell, FNP-C Valerie K. Barrett, DNP, FNP-BC 843-393-3922 Isaac B. Snapp, PA-C Karen J. Fulwood, DNP, FNP-C

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 10 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 looking forward to being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame with them, along with and Raymond Parks in January.” Rutledge, who has served as Bojangles’ CEO for the past three years, will say the command alongside three of the sports legends. Rutledge gave the command with 2016 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Terry Labonte before last year’s Bojangles’ Southern 500. “I am blessed to represent Bojangles’ and give the command to start the Bojangles’ Southern 500 alongside three legends of the sport, Richard Childress, Rick Hendrick and Mark Martin,” Rutledge said. “Bojangles’ is proud to be the entitlement partner of the Southern 500, a partnership we’ve enjoyed since 2012.” The Famous Chicken n’ Biscuits restaurant chain has more than 680 loca - tions throughout the Southeast. Bojangles’ has the naming rights to the Southern 500 through the 2019 season. The NASCAR Hall of Fame inductions ceremonies will take place on January 20, 2017 in Charlotte, N.C. For more on the inductees, as well as information on visitor and membership packages for the NASCAR Hall of Fame, visit NASCARHall.com. Photos of Richard Childress (2015), Rick Hendrick (2012) and Mark Martin (2009) at Darlington Raceway PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES. Left to right: Richard Childress, Rick Henrick, and Mark Martin

PALMETTO FURNITURE COMPANY Over 75 Years • 40% off and close out sales Selling furniture at Good Prices since 1937 319 N.. Main St.., Society Hill,, SC ' 843-378-4541 squaresquare feetfeet 50,00050,000 ofof furniturefurniture

Financing Available www.palmettofurniturecompany.com

Dairy Bar Eat In or Carry Out, Walk Up Window Breakfast and Lunch 318 Pearl Street,Darlington, SC Open 6 am until 2 pm 843-393-4531

NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 11 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 SOUTHERN 500 Barry Williams to perform Bojangles’ Southern 500 National Anthem Barry Williams, the 1970’s television star who most famously played Greg Brady in the hit series The Brady Bunch, will join Darlington Raceway’s throwback celebration on Labor Day weekend. Williams, who currently stars in the 70s Music Celebration! in Branson, MO., will perform the National Anthem live on NBC for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 on Sept. 4. “As a fan of NASCAR, I am honored to participate in the Bojangles’ Southern 500 throw - back race at Darlington KANSAS to perform Bojangles’ Raceway as the National Anthem performer,” Williams Fitting intoS itos thurowtbhacek wreenke n5d p0lan0s of Prealb-uRms,a thcreee se xCtupole-Pnlatcinuem raltbums said. “I’ve done many perform - celebrating the 1975-84 era of the sport, (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of ances in my career and I can’t Darlington Raceway will have classic rock leg - KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the think of a more patriotic way to Kerry Tharp said. “His role as ends KANSAS perform the NASCAR Sprint Cup Show) and two one million-selling gold singles celebrate an era that is so spe - Greg Brady in The Brady Bunch Series Bojangles’ Southern 500 pre-race concert (Carry on Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind). cial.” is well known, but he is still a presented by GEICO on Sunday, Sept. 4. KANSAS appeared on the Billboard charts “Barry Williams is an very active performer in KANSAS, known for its hits “Carry On for over 200 weeks throughout the ‘70's and American television icon who is Branson today. His rendition of Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” is one of ‘80's and played to sold-out arenas and stadi - a perfect fit for our throwback the Star Spangled Banner is sure the top-selling bands of the late 1970’s and early ums throughout the world, and is still a fan celebration,” track President to be popular with our fans.” 1980’s. The band has produced eight gold favorite today. RACE ON IN FOR GREAT DEALS HOBBS PAINT & ODY HOP Stock Up On 653 RogersB Rd., DarlingtonS Ice 843-393-6388 Beer All Work Guaranteed! Snacks IN BUSINESS FOR 36 YEARS! Paper Supplies Welcome Race Fans! Soft Drinks Howle Law Firm We have all your race time favorites! Newton I. (Bill) Howle, Jr. Parker E. Howle Attorneys at law Real Estate & Probate piggly wiggly 100 St. John’s St. – Post Office Box 186 Darlington, SC 29540 Local Since Forever! • 401 Pearl St., Darlington Phone (843) 395-1519 Fax (843) 393-0342

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 12 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 South Carolina’s own and NASCAR Hall of Fame member to serve as Bojangles’ Southern 500 Honorary Pace Car Driver Timmonsville, S.C., native to also be honored by Darlington Raceway with special race weekend ceremony Cale Yarborough once again will be from 1976-78. He also won four Daytona driving on the legendary high banks of 500 races and posted 83 career NASCAR Darlington Raceway. Cup Series victories with 69 pole awards. On Sunday, Sept. 4, Yarborough, a Yarborough also will be honored by South Carolina native and NASCAR Hall Darlington Raceway with a special cere - of Famer, will pace the field as the hon - mony during the Bojangles’ Southern 500 orary pace car driver for the 67th running race weekend for his contributions to the of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sport. Details on the ceremony will be Bojangles’ Southern 500. announced at a later date. “This is quite an honor and I’m really Additionally, he will participate in the looking forward to being the honorary Bojangles’ Legends Breakfast Sunday pace car driver for the Bojangles’ morning (Sept. 4), along with other Southern 500,” Yarborough said. “The NASCAR Hall of Fame members. He was Southern 500 is the reason I got into rac - elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame as ing. When I saw my first one, I knew part of the Class of 2012. that’s what I wanted to do. Darlington is a tough, ol’ that can give you fits. When I was racing, I wanted to win the Southern 500 more than any other race. I still get goose bumps when I drive September 2, 1974: Cale Yarborough holds by the race track. I just may have to run a his trophy in victory lane at Darlington few laps and show those young folks how Raceway after winning the Southern 500 it’s done.” NASCAR Cup race. Yarborough has five career wins at his hometown track, all coming in the PHOTO BY ISC IMAGES; ARCHIVES VIA Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend GETTY IMAGES (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978 and 1982). Yarborough won three consecutive NASCAR premier series championships

Auto/SR-22 • Owners/Non-Owners Home • Fire • Mobile Homes “Sport is a preserver of health.” – Hippocrates Renters • Business Major Medical • Individual Life

hem et t n l he e, t clos Hold them Your Insurance Professional for 55 Years GGOO!!

Moody’s Insurance Agency, Inc. G. Laverne Moody Carolina Drug Store, Inc. Mary D. Moody 52 Public Square • Darlington • 393-2865 Kathleen Rivers Jean Weaver • Whittie Weaver • Pharmacists 437 N. Main St., Darlington Pharmacy Hours: 843-393-3932 Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Visa • Mastercard • Discover • American Express [email protected]

NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 13 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 SOUTHERN 500

of the Public Square of and Native Americans. Kalmia Gardens TFamhily Fiunn gsDar lintgtoon featu ridng arto, T hie mnuseum isD open aMon. rPalrkis n& Tgennits o1n624 W . CCarolinao Ave.,unGoltf Cy ourses crafts, food and farm pro - - Fri. from 10 a.m. - 5 Hartsville.Free.35-acre 12th Annual 2015 duce vendors. p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bill Cain Tennis botanical garden and his - Darlington Country Darlington Car Hauler Southern 500 The museum has no Complex , corner of toric house on the Club , 125 Country Club Parade & Festival: Parade admission charge. Orange and Liberty Streets National Register of Road, Darlington. 843- Sept. 1st 4 - 7:30 p.m. The Darlington Area Coker Farms in Darlington. Free. Tennis Historic Places. 393-4201. the Florence Civic Center Recreation Department, National Historic courts, picnic area and Boardwalks, walking Beaver Creek Golf Club, Come watch the NASCAR City of Darlington, and Landmark , 1257 S playground. trails, bird watching, pic - 1133 E. McIver Road, Sprint Cup Teams make Darlington Raceway will Fourth St., Hartsville Williamson Park, nic area. Open 365 days a Darlington, 843-393-5441. their way from the be bringing back the Coker Experimental Farms located just off Spring year from dawn to dusk. Fox Creek Golf Club , Florence Civic Center to Southern 500 Parade on and parent company, Street from the Public www.kalmiagardens.org 2433 Tomahawk Road, Darlington Square and Saturday, September 3. Coker's Pedigreed Seed Square, this quiet park Lydia. 843-332-0613. onto the track that's "Too The nearly 2-mile Company, founded in the offers a three-mile board - Governor’s Run , 665 Tough to Tame". Enjoy parade route will begin at early 1900s developed walk, five miles of nature Fitness Centers Club Dr., Lamar. 843-326- entertainment and live City Hall, 400 Pearl St., new, improved varieties of trails, birdwatching, pro - 5513. music, FREE KidsZone and continue down Pearl crop seeds and the first viding a most rewarding YMCA of the Upper Hartsville Country inflatable rides, games, Street to the track and into cotton breeding program spot for hiking, nature Pee Dee Darlington Club , 116 Golf Course and bungee jump. The the infield. Parade lineup in the US. Exhibits housed study and picnicking.. Family YMCA : 123 Road, Hartsville. 843-332- GameTruck will bring a will run down Edwards in a replica of the site's Hours: dawn to dusk Exchange Street 1441. wide selection of games Avenue and turn onto original dairy barn. Free, Byerly Park Darlington, 843-398-0844 for Xbox360, Wii and PS3! West Broad Street heading self-guided interpretive Recreation Complex , Hartsville Family Refreshments for pur - southwest toward the exhibits are open from 9 700 Russell Road, YMCA , 111 E. Carolina Libraries chase, airbrush tattoos, four-way stop at a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Hartsville. Free. Sports Ave. Hartsville 843 383 exciting silent auction full Washington Street. The fields, track facility, tennis 4547 www.upperpdym - Access to free Wi-Fi and of great NASCAR items parade is tentatively set courts, walking - biking ca.org access to computers and race memorabilia. for 6:15 p.m. Saturday, Sites of Interest trail, playgrounds. World Fitness Gyms Darlington: 204 N. The Darlington Car Hauler Sept. 3, though any delays Lawton Park , 716 Darlington : 1032 Pearl Main St., 843-398-4940 Parade will leave Florence in the Saturday race will Liberty Lane Walk Prestwood Dr., Hartsville. St, (843) 393-0970 and Hartsville: 147 W College at 7 p.m. impact the start time. of Fame and Free. Picnicking, tennis Hartsville : 821 S. Fifth Ave, 843-332-5115 RaceFest at Darlington native and Darlington Raceway courts, playgrounds and St. –fitnessworldgyms.com www.darlington-lib.org Darlington Square 6 – track administrative assis - Mural , 114-116 Pearl fishing. 10 p.m. tant Bridgette Holloman Street, Darlington. Free. Greet the Sprint Cup will serve as grand mar - Winston Walk of Fame, Series car haulers in shal of the parade. For honoring NASCAR stock Darlington Square with a information, call Mr. Lee car drivers who have won celebration! Jamming to Andrews at 843-398- at Darlington, featuring live music by Outshyne. 4030. handprints of Neil While you are at the Piratesville Splash Bonnett, Dale Earnhardt, Square, you can enjoy Pad , yummy foods, free sam - A multifunctional water and . Open ples of Monster energy play area designed for year-round, during day - drinks, live entertainment, children, numbers among light hours, seven days a a classic car show, and the largest splash pads in week. The racing mural is booming fireworks. the Southeast. Enjoy a recent addition, and Drawing at 9p.m. - reg - water slides, water jets, painted by Blue Sky, noted ister at the stage to win a water cannons, dumping mural painter from VIP race package for the wheels, buckets and foun - Columbia, S.C. 2017 race including tains. Piratesville is locat - “Old Darlington accommodations, 2 tickets ed at 1109 14th St. in Public Square” mural to each race, pre-race pit Hartsville as part of the by Blue Sky mural, pass, and Stripe Zone hos - Byerly Park Recreation adjacent to County pitality. Be sure to cheer Complex. Sat. Sept. 3 11 Courthouse in Downtown on your favorite hauler as a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun. Sept, 4 Darlington. Unveiled they drive through 1 – 6 p.m., Mon. Sept. 5 1985, this historic mural Darlington Square on their (Labor Day): 11 a.m. – 7 depicts Darlington as it way to the track! p.m. The ticket booth might have looked in 1939 Admission is FREE! accepts cash only, no cred - (if you look closely, the Market on it or debit cards accepted: theater marquee reads Darlington Square $4 child, $2 adult "Gone with the Wind"). Market on Darlington “Our Pat” , Cashua Square on Saturday, Sept. Street, Darlington. Our Pat 3rd from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Museums is a retired Fire Steamer Kids, be sure to sign up for truck. Our Pat was bought the Sidewalk Art Contest! Hartsville Museum, from the City of Judging at noon, prizes 222 N. Fifth Street, Charleston and began awarded at 12:30 p.m. Hartsville features many service in the 1880’s. She MoDS is an open-air mar - child-friendly exhibits was retired from service in ket around the perimeter including cotton history, the 1930’s.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 14 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 State of South Carolina declares “Darlington Raceway Week” South Carolina Senate and House of Representatives pass Resolution The week of the NASCAR Sprint Cup “We’re pleased that the week of the Series Bojangles’ Southern 500, August Bojangles’ Southern 500 will be named 29-September 4, 2016, has been named Darlington Raceway Week, a Week Too “Darlington Raceway Week, a Week Too Tough To Tame.” Tough To Tame” after the South The 2016 Bojangles’ Southern 500 Carolina Senate and House of will mark the second year of the track’s Representatives passed a concurrent popular throwback campaign, which cel - Resolution. ebrates the history and heritage of the The famed track’s 67-year history is a sport. The 2015 edition of the marketing major reason the South Carolina Senate platform brought a renewed level of Retail/Wholesale and House of Representatives passed the excitement to the track on its traditional Make your Gasoline & Diesel concurrent Resolution, led by state Labor Day weekend date. Senator Gerald Malloy, D-Hartsville. “We can’t thank our state govern - race car go The Resolution outlines the historical ment, led by Senator Malloy, enough for significance of Darlington Raceway’s passing this Resolution,” said former award-winning throwback weekend and Darlington Raceway President Chip Wile addresses the role the track plays in after the resolution passed.. “Our lead - building the foundation of what has ers continue to recognize the economic VROOM! become one of the largest spectator importance that the track brings to the sports in the country. state every year. Our 2015 throwback “Darlington Raceway is an important event was a tremendous success across 309 N. Main St., Darlington economic driver for the Pee Dee region the industry and we look forward to BRISTOW OIL and entire state of South Carolina so it’s hosting another exciting NASCAR Sprint 843-393-2896 only fitting that we recognize the track Cup Series race weekend again this with this Resolution,” Sen. Malloy said. September.” Tenampa Mexican Restaurant & Bar 40 Public Square - Darlington

Spend $30, Receive $5.00 off total with this coupon! Authentic Mexican Food at it’s Finest! Dine-In or Take-Out • 843-944-5052 WELCOMECOME RACEE FFANS!ANS! Bramlett’s Small Engine Be sure to check our website for exclusive race coverage and photos. 722 N. Main Street | Darlington, SC www.newsandpress.netwww.newsandpress.net 843-395-1578 - 843-395-1579 Sharing the good news of Darlington County Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. / Sat. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. with our Friends and Neighbors • We now sell • Echo and Stihl Brand propane Weedeaters and more! Race on in to get the BEST DEALS on name brand lawnmowers and hand held equipment.

NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. 15 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 SOUTHERN 500

DON’tDON’t misss Throwback Weekend SEPT. 2-4, 2016

86866.459.7223

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2016 16 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C.