The Southern 500 remains a cornerstone event of the NASCAR calendar

The Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway holds status as one of NASCAR’s crown-jewel events, spanning more than 75 years of competition. First held in 1950, the race established itself as a Labor Day tradition and was later featured as a cornerstone of the Winston Million bonus series. Drivers like Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon captured victories during the race's tenure in the high-stakes bonus program. Although the event briefly shifted from its traditional holiday weekend, NASCAR returned the race to Labor Day in 2015 alongside a throwback celebration of the sport's history. Contemporary drivers continue to characterize the event as a primary objective in their careers, with recent winners including Kyle Larson and Joey Logano acknowledging its distinct prestige.

• 9:42 PMYahoo Sports — Why the Southern 500 Has Earned Its Place Among NASCAR’s Crown Jewels