Darlington cancels plans for historic car festival

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) — Darlington Raceway has cancelled plans for its historic fall racing festival.

Track spokesman Jake Harris said a lack of entrants led Darlington officials to call off this year’s event. The raceway has held the gathering at the track for the past three years with former prominent NASCAR personalities like Harry Gant, Ned Jarrett, David Pearson and Darrell Waltrip taking part.

Those attending heard panel discussions from past NASCAR greats and had autograph sessions. Entrants also got to drive parade laps around the track.

Harris said the track had generally gotten between 100 and 135 car entries during the first three years, but had only a little more than 40 so far this year. Harris said track leaders plan to regroup and return with the festival in 2012.