Dodge Charger 500 - Morgan Shepherd Notes

Saving Tradition Of Mothers, Southern 500
Unlikely pair sponsor Morgan Shepherd at Darlington

CONOVER, N.C. - Darlington Raceway, located just a short drive from the popular coastlines of the Carolinas, is a track as rich in NASCAR tradition as it is tough on NASCAR racers. The storied asphalt track was the first track ever to host a NASCAR superspeedway race on asphalt pavement in 1950.

Rumors – denied repeatedly by the track and sanctioning body - run rampant that it may be hosting its last-ever NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race this Mother’s Day weekend.

Morgan Shepherd will be a part of this Mother’s Day race weekend by honoring mothers and helping an organization that’s been working to save the racing traditions at his favorite race track.

“This is a weekend about respect – respect for our Savior Jesus Christ, respect for our mothers, respect for tradition and respect for NASCAR’s oldest and most traditional superspeedway,” Shepherd says. “Our sponsor for this race recognizes the importance of that respect, and is helping us carry that message at Darlington – and I can’t think of a better place to carry it.

“I know I have three wins at Atlanta Motor Speedway, but it’s not my favorite track. Darlington is my favorite,” explains Shepherd. “Darlington is special because it’s the only place where you spend your day racing the track, not the competitors.”

Long ago deemed the “Lady in Black” by the countless racers who’ve grazed the pristine white walls of Darlington Raceway leaving behind black tire and paint smudges, the track finds itself buried in rumors that its newest moniker might be “retired” as well. Undeniably, the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series schedule has been trending toward modern race tracks with huge seating capacities and larger television markets. Fanz to Support the Darlington Racing Tradition has been formed in an effort to save the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race date at the storied track, and use its position in the public eye to raise funds for local charities and the Lyn St. James Foundation.

“That the race weekend falls on Mother’s Day weekend offers us a great opportunity to raise money for our charities and honor the mothers in our lives, while continuing to raise awareness for our cause. For a $1 donation, fans can put the name of their mom on Morgan Shepherd’s race car for Saturday night’s race,” said Bob Henry, President of Fanz to Support the Darlington Racing Tradition.

Lyn St. James, a racer who won Rookie of the Race honors in the Indianapolis 500, is delighted to be noticed by the Fanz to Support the Darlington Racing Tradition organization.

“Since the majority of the work of the LSJ Foundation is focused on women, whether it be in the area of driving or technical fields, and they recognize the importance of women in the success of racing everywhere, including Darlington, it did seem like a good fit,” explains St. James. “I'm releasing a new book, ‘Oh By The Way...,’ which is a reprint of a letter my mother wrote me many years ago, so they are helping by spreading the word about this book. It is being sold through my Foundation. While her letter did not specifically say anything about racing, when you see the book you'll see where my mom really provided me with pearls of wisdom about life, about having chutzpah, and about finding your place in the world. I just wanted to share her [motherly] wisdom with others.”

Morgan Shepherd is very excited about the messages his car will carry this weekend.

“If it was a race on Sunday, I wouldn’t be there. Mother’s Day is a very special day and I wouldn’t want to race on it. With the race on Saturday night, I’m very proud to drive the car. We get to honor mothers, with the name of Jesus on the car, too, so it’s very special,” says Shepherd.

“I imagine a lot of these mothers’ names will be ones that have passed away and then there will be ones that have been honored because it’s Mother’s Day. It couldn’t be on a better car than the No. 89 Victory in Jesus Racing Dodge Charger. It’s all about respect.”

As far as racing at Darlington Raceway, don’t stand in Shepherd’s way. He really loves the track.

“The best part of the track is Turn One – obviously, it used to be Turn Three before they moved the start/finish line. Turn One is the most fun part of the track. You run an inch or so off the wall. This is the corner where you set up a guy to pass. You back off just a little before the corner, then get under them. Once you get under them, you more or less have the pass made because he can’t come back down on you off of two. It’s great racing.”