Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. ó A new study says that the South Carolina track that’s “Too Tough To Tame” has an economic impact that’s hard to ignore.
Darlington Raceway brings in $54 million to the state each year and is responsible for creating 874 jobs in the region, according to the report commissioned by the track and released Wednesday.
The last time the raceway, now in it’s 60th season, took a comprehensive look at its economic footprint was in 2000, track president Chris said. That survey found that Darlington had about a $60 million impact on the state and region. However, that was with two Sprint Cup weekends, including a lucrative Labor Day race.
Darlington has since been cut back to one race and given what was thought to be a horrible weekend for racing, the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Even so, Darlington has sold out the past four years and has seemingly shored up its once shaky future.
Other findings include:
– NASCAR events and other activities at Darlington lead to $19 million in labor income to workers in South Carolina.
– Track activities contribute $30 million a year to South Carolina’s gross state product.
The South Carolina House and Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution declaring race week in May as “Darlington Raceway Week” in the state.