Darlington Raceway in South Carolina was the first true NASCAR superspeedway, and even now, in this day and age of ultra-modern, opulent multimillion-dollar speed place race venues, Darlington is considered the most storied and historic track on the 36 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. Darlington’s history and folklore as interesting and intriguing as it super-odd egg-shaped 1.366-mile configuration. In 1948, a former race named Harold Brasington went to watch the Indianapolis 500. Amazed by the size of the crowds that attended the Midwestern-based race, Harold returned home and in a desire to build his own state-of-the-art racetrack, bought 70 acres from a local farmer named Sherman Ramsey. From there, Brasington and company got tow work, building the track up from the cotton and peanut fields. While constructing the track, there was a catch, however. Former owner Ramsey owned a minnow pond that was present on the property and didn’t want it disturbed. Determined to keep the peace, Brasington promised to leave the pond be, thus Darlington — even in 2008 — has one corner that is tighter, narrower and more steeply banked than the other. Only in NASCAR could there be such bizarre history. Te track opened on Labor Day in 1950 and has been on the NASCAR schedule since. However, in recent years, things looked touch an go for the “lady in Black” or “The Track too Tough to Tame” (as Darlington is often referred). As NASCAR moved into the modern era, it began to discard some of its classic Carolina circuits and Darlington looked doomed, as ell. However on April 5, 2007, everyne who loves Darlington took a deep breath of relief when the International Speedway Corporation (a NASCAR-owned company) announced Darlington would be receiving a $10 million facelift, as well as an all-new, lightning fast racing surface.

Which brings us to Saturday night, May 10, 2008 and the NASCAR Dodge Challenger 500. Despite botching a mid-race pit stop where a stubborn lug nut threw his team out of sorts, 23 year-old Kyle Busch put the hammer down and continued to take the lead and hold on to win his third Sprint Cup race of the 2008 season. Second to the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driver and precisely 3.115 behind was Roush Fenway Racing Ford Fusion wheelman Carl Edwards. Third and fourth at Darlington were Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet teammates Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“This is pretty awesome,” said Busch of winning the 367-lap race. “Darlington obviously showed again tonight that it’s one of the hardest places. Always has been, always will be. Even with the fresh asphalt this place is tough.”

Although Busch was dominant all evening long, it almost all went wrong on lap number 141 when a caution flag as thrown for debris on the font straight. All the leaders dove down pit lane. Busch, too, entered his pit stale, but a loose lug nut forced him all the way back to 23rd position. However, by lap number 250 he was all the way up into fifth spot, and 10 laps later, in second. On lap number 269, Busch motored into the lead. And despite lightly hitting the wall in turn two on lap number 288, Busch just kept on charging, racing away to what appeared to be an easy win for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point lead.