#MYRsports: Welcome Race Fans! Darlington hosts NASCAR this weekend

photo by flickr user M-Trudeau

The MYR is likely to get hit with an influx of tourists of a different variety this weekend as Darlington Raceway hosts it's annual NASCAR weekend.  The VFW Sport Clips Help a Hero 200 Nationwide Race will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012.  The Bojangles Southern 500 Sprint Cup race is on Saturday, May 12, 2012.

Folks promoting Myrtle Beach tourism have, historically, had a strong presence at the track during this annual event.  That's a good pairing as so many of its attendees are from South Carolina and surrounding states making the Grand Strand an obvious vacation spot.  Added to the beach, we've now got the new NASCAR Racing Experience and energized schedule of events at the Myrtle Beach Speedway, which include weeknight races and exhibitions to attract tourists. It's a race lover's dream.

The story lines coming into this weekend's Sprint Cup race include Danica Patrick's unexpected and last-minute entry, Tony Stewart's "sarcasm" (read that to mean frustrated, thinly-veiled rant) related to the race conditions at Talladega last week, a rehashing of the Busch/Harvick post-race altercation from last year (the video is long but the end is worth it), and a spotlight on Regan Smith to repeat his victory. 

Below you'll find audio for ESPN Radio 'The Team' 100.3's recent interview with NASCAR driver David Ragan. Ragan of the #34 Ford and currently 29th in the points standings for the Sprint Cup Series. Aaron Marks, the host of 'The Drive' on 100.3 talks with Ragan about his recent top ten finish in Talladega and  gearing up for Darlington. 

If you're interested in attending, Darlington Raceway is in the town of Darlington, SC.  That's roughly two to two and a half hours from the Grand Strand.  Tickets are still available for both races.  You can purchase them online for the Nationwide race here and Sprint Cup race here

We'll be providing coverage of this race, so stay tuned.