DARLINGTON, SC (WMBF) - City officials say Darlington is definitely getting a big boost in business from the Southern 500, with people staying in local hotels, eating at the restaurants there and shopping locally.
Local business owners and vendors at the Darlington Racewaygive mixed reactions on how business is really going this week.
"There's been a lot more traffic coming along and well it seems like there's going to be a lot more coming," said Riley Carter who works at one of the shops at Ivana's near the Darlington Raceway.
Tens of thousands of NASCAR fans are expected to flock to Darlington to attend the Southern 500.
Local businesses like the RacewayGrill have had an increase in customers this week.
Some NASCAR fanssay the Southern 500 has turned into more than just a one-day race.
"We come out for a week for two, when before we used to just come for a couple days," said NASCAR fan, Roy Ivey Jr.
Several events featuring the racecar drivers were held across the Pee Dee days before the race, bringing in more fans for a longer period of time.
"The city gets more revenue and more business, more people that's coming in and enjoying the little town of Darlington," said Carter.
Darlington Raceway directors released data from a study, showing state-wide, the raceway brings in about $54 million a year.
More here:
Southern 500s longevity brings big bucks to Pee Dee economy
Recommendation and review posted by G. Smith
