www.newsandpress.net WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018 #TraditionContinues #BojanglesSo500 Welcome Race Fans! ALSO INSIDE : WELCOME TO DARLINGTON HUNTER FAMILY TRADITION KERRY THARP COLUMN HAROLD BRASINGTON’S LEGACY LADY IN BLACK 2018 TRACK IMPROVEMENTS A special publication of The News & Press, Darlington, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 RacewayBy Samantha Lyles home, intern which was located carryingto wear to stage a successful onhis strong, the evocative family writ- tradition Staff Writer just five minutes away from event. ing style and his [email protected] the track. His first memory “I would see him in the approachable, funny demeanor when dealing When Jim Hunter passed of this raceway is pretty low- pits and get to talk to him for with journalists. away in October of 2010, key and fun: at age five, he a little bit, but he was always “He understood where NASCAR lost one of its most rode his bicycle around the all business and was con- the media came from and valued and beloved execu- track, and Grandma Ann stantly running around,” understood what they tives, an advocate for the put him in her lap and let Hunter recalls. “I think I'm needed, and he knew how sport who helped shepherd him drive a few laps. Hunter coming to understand that to present information to stock car racing into its most says for the longest time, he better now that I'm meeting them in the easiest, best successful era. didn't understand that so many people in the racing ways possible. He was a Jim joined NASCAR in Grandpa Jim was kind of a field, many of whom he great promoter for the 1983 and became the presi- big wheel at the raceway. directly affected and worked track as well, and he made dent of Darlington Raceway “I knew growing up that with.” the track look its best,” ten years later, where he he was involved with A public relations stu- says Hunter. “He did a remained until a 2001 pro- NASCAR, but I think that I dent at the University of great job keying on the motion elevated him to VP took things for granted. South Carolina, Hunter says greatest and most unique ing here, I think. It's a love- $7 million improvement of corporate communica- Getting credentials and hot he is taking some cues from elements of the track... he hate thing where if you can project tions. This summer, his passes every year, I didn't his grandfather when it said that Darlington is like win here, you love “The stadium seating grandson Hunter McKernan realize how big of a deal that comes to his daily intern the Wrigley Field of racing.” Darlington, but if you wreck will be a game changer for has joined the Darlington was,” says Hunter. duties, which can include Hunter says his grandfa- on the third lap, you hate it,” the track, and we're also Raceway staff as an intern, A lifelong Atlanta composing press releases ther always played up Hunter says. “No turn is the keeping the old traditions and he's learning the PR Falcons fan, little Hunter's and dealing with the media. Darlington Raceway's image same here, and that's some- alive with the throwback craft at the track where his eyes opened to the populari- “I'm writing press releas- as “The Track Too Tough to thing I'm starting to really weekend theme. Pairing grandfather spent many ty of NASCAR when he met es now and I'm trying to do Tame” and helped frame understand by talking to those things will hopefully happy years. Falcons running back the same kinds of things he victory at Darlington as a drivers – just how tough of a keep the track around for Raised in Atlanta, Hunter Jerious Norwood in the pits did when he was coming up source of prestige for track this is.” fifty more years,” says spent many holidays visiting during a race. He also in the sport,” he says, citing NASCAR's top drivers. Under current president Hunter, expressing a senti- grandparents Jim and Ann noticed how busy his grand- Jim's history as a reporter “Drivers do want to win Kerry Tharp, Darlington ment that his grandfather Hunter at their Darlington father was during races, and for the Atlanta Journal- just how many hats Jim had Constitution as a source of here, but they also hate rac- Raceway is in the midst of a would surely share. 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 staed 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 29, 2018 2 NEWS AND PRESS DARLINGTON, S.C. SOUTHERN 500 WelcomeWelcome race fans to the City of to the City of Darlington! Darlington and the Bojangles’ Southern 500. Our city extends to all its Raceway vis- itors the most cordial welcome. We want Welcome you to enjoy yourselves and come back often to Darlington Raceway or just to visit. We are proud of the Darlington Raceway Race and the many improvements made to enhance your experience at the track “Too Tough to Tame”. The Bojangles’ Southern Fans!By Lisa Chalian-Rock 500 and Darlington Raceway have made DDRA Director the City of Darlington one of the best known small places in the United States. While you are here for Thank you for your patronage of the race, the Darlington Darlington Raceway and please drive care- Downtown Revitalization fully. We want you back next year to watch Association invites you to another exciting Bojangles’ Southern 500. #ShopDarlington with our local stores, restaurants and Sincerely, shops. Take a photo of you Gloria C. Hines at your favorite, and tag the Mayor DDRA, @ddraSC, using the City of Darlington hash tag #ShopDarlington. We will cross post it to our Facebook page, DarlingtonDowntown, and we will post our favorite in The News & Press. We have a slate of events for Race Week, starting with the Car Hauler’s Parade and Racefest Party on Thursday night, begin- ning at 6 p.m. The party continues Friday night as Radio Vibe brings down- town alive with a free con- cert at Liberty Lane on Pearl Street. Round out the weekend with the Southern Radio Vibe will be performing a free concert at Liberty Lane on Pearl Street during race weekend 500 Parade at 6:15 p.m. on festivities. Photo Contributed Pearl Street and ending at the infield of Darlington Public Square. Try Italian American food right next to Stop by the Liberty Lane Raceway. favorites at Mamma Mia’s the track. Walk of Fame to see the Find buried treasures on Italian Kitchen or Mexican Check out unique fash- Southern 500 mural and The News & Press the Darlington Antiques fare at Tenampa Mexican ions at Merle Norman, 84 the handprints of all the Serving Darlington County since 1874 Trail. Stops include B&B Restaurant. All are down- Public Square; Raven’s Southern 500 winners from 117 S. Main St., Variety & Antiques, 703 town within walking dis- Closet, 18 Public Square; or 1950 to 2000. The brick Darlington, SC 29532 Pearl St.; Darlington tance of the Darlington Roses, 502 Pearl St. walkway connects down- Phone (843) 393-3811 County Historical Veterans Memorial and Old Looking for something town parking to Pearl Street Fax (843) 393-6811 Commission, 204 Hewitt Darlington Mural. Try some more than the average gift? and the Public Square. www.newsandpress.net St.; Darlington Raceway tasty seafood at Bay Island Drop by Flower Baskets By We hope you enjoy your Stock Car Museum, 1301 Seafood, 1316 S. Main St., Becky, 204 Russell St., or time in Darlington, and STAFF Harry Byrd Highway; or Mayflower Seafood, 1765 Shannon’s Salon & Gifts, come back to see us! General Manager: Morrey Thomas Scarlett’s Antiques, 500 E. Harry Byrd Hwy. For more 1033 Pearl St. [email protected] Broad St.; So-lina Auction barbecue, there’s Nick’s Editor: Melissa Rollins Market Inc., 2085 Lamar BBQ, 310 S. Main St., [email protected] Hwy.; and The Jeweler’s or Lindbergh’s BBQ, Staff Writer: Samantha Lyles Bench, 60 Public Square. 1215 S. Main St. Step [email protected] Getting hungry? Fill up back to the 1950s for Design: Duane Childers at a meat-and- three full of American and Greek [email protected] Southern charm at Jewel’s specialties for break- Advertising: Charlotte Berger Deluxe on the Public fast, lunch, or dinner at [email protected] Square or Joe’s Grill, 306 Taki’s Diner, 609 Pearl Front Desk: Russell St. Stop in at St. Look for a race car [email protected] Carolina Drug Store on the on the roof of Raceway Public Square for a milk- Grill, 1207 Harry Byrd SUBSCRIPTIONS shake or sandwich. New Hwy., to check out In-state subscriptions: One year $30 flavors to try at Uncle some great racing Out-of-state subscriptions: $40 Marshall’s at 136 Cashua memorabilia and tasty St.