Why Darlington Raceway Got The Name ‘The Lady in Black’

Darlington Raceway, one of the oldest tracks on the NASCAR circuit, is known for its treacherous nature and dark track surface. Opened in 1950, the 1.366-mile oval has hosted prestigious races such as the Southern 500, Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600, and Brickyard 400. The nickname "The Lady in Black" was coined by sportswriter Benny Phillips in a 1965 column describing the track's unpredictability and difficulty to navigate.

The nickname also fits the track's features, including its dark track surface and black tire marks left on cars after contact with the outside wall. Known as the "Lady in Black," Darlington Raceway has earned the moniker due to its challenging nature, as evidenced by the frequent "Darlington Stripe" seen on race cars - a badge of honor for racing at the historic track.

The track will open the 2026 Chase for both the Cup Series and the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, with the O'Reilly Series field competing in the Fleetio 200 on Saturday and the Cup Series running the Cook Out Southern 500 on Sunday evening.