Catchfence

DARLINGTON, S.C. (March 17, 2010) – Darlington Raceway played host for a fan luncheon question and answer session on Wednesday afternoon with fan-favorite NASCAR driver Mark Martin serving as the guest of honor.

Martin, the 2009 Southern 500 winner, was in town to promote the upcoming Southern 500 scheduled for May 8. The luncheon was promoted to fans via the track’s social networking efforts on Twitter and Facebook. Over 300 fans from 28 different states attended the event after registering on the track’s website.

“I had a great time today with all the fans and folks at Darlington Raceway,” said Martin “NASCAR fans are so passionate. It’s fun to talk to them and hear their stories. It was a great event.”

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Audio: Mark Martin Answers Media Questions From Darlington Raceway’s Winner’s Circle

“Mark has been great to work with on this event and we appreciate him spending some time with our fans,” said Darlington Raceway President, Chris Browning. “Mark is a fan-favorite with our fans because he is an old school racer who respects the history and tradition of our sport and Darlington Raceway.”

Fans were given the chance to ask Martin questions and the hot topic of the day was Darlington Raceway and the 2010 Southern 500.

“I can’t wait to get back to Darlington,” said Martin. “Winning that race last year was huge for me and the whole team. Every driver wants to say he won the Southern 500, and I feel fortunate to say that I’ve won it twice now. Doing it back-to-back would be very nice, so hopefully we’ll be able to do that in May.”

Martin and the rest of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series field will return to Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500. See your favorite driver earn his Darlington Stripe when the green-flag drops at 7:30 p.m. on May 8, 2010.

You can keep up with all of the latest news from Darlington Raceway at DarlingtonRaceway.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DarlingtonRaceway and on Twitter at Twitter.com/TooToughToTame.

Darlington Raceway or the track “Too Tough to Tame” as it is known to many, is where the purest of NASCAR competition meets true southern hospitality. A NASCAR staple since 1950, Darlington Raceway has seen some of motorsports most talented drivers thunder to Victory Lane. In 2010, NASCAR’s stars return to battle the track “Too Tough to Tame” in the Sprint Cup Series Southern 500® and Nationwide Series Darlington 200. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will also make a stop at Darlington for the first time since the 2004 season.

Don’t miss any of the paint-scraping action at Darlington Raceway in 2010. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series will visit the track on Mother’s Day Weekend, May 7-8, for the Southern 500® and Darlington 200. The Camping World Truck Series will make its return to Darlington Raceway for first time since 2004 on August 14 for the Too Tough to Tame 200. Tickets for all three events are on-sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Darlington Raceway ticket office at 866-459-RACE or online at http://www.darlingtonraceway.com/tickets/.

- Darlington Raceway, Press Release