NBC plans throwback theme for Darlington

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

The return of the Southern 500 to Labor Day weekend will be marked by a throwback celebration at Darlington Raceway that will include everything from the retro paint schemes on the track to the actual broadcast booth.

The Southern 500 last ran on the holiday weekend in 2003.

NBC has agreed to be part of the throwback theme, with its on-air talent scheduled to wear 1970’s-style clothing. The on-screen graphics and music will also be a nod to that era.

The booth will also briefly step back in time, as the regular crew of Rick Allen, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte will be temporarily replaced in-race by Hall of Famers Ken Squier, Ned Jarrett and Dale Jarrett.

“To bring (the Southern 500) back on Labor Day, I think this is perhaps one of the best moves that NASCAR has made in a decade,” Squier said in an NBC conference call.

Burton said the entire theme at Darlington leading into Sunday’s race will be a celebration of NASCAR’s history, while analyst Kyle Petty said the throwback paint schemes will educate many younger fans.

“I think a lot of times we all wax nostalgically about things that went on and things that happened, but here’s an opportunity to educate fans,” Petty said. “When you see that 17 car of Ricky Stenhouse painted up like the old Holman-Moody 17, when you see the 16 car painted up like Tiny Lund and that kid that has just been a fan since 2000 says, ‘Who is Tiny Lund?’ Then it’s an opportunity to educate fans to the history of the sport.”