NASCAR: 'Throwback Weekend' earns Darlington marketing award

In recognition of its "throwback" Southern 500 weekend, Darlington Raceway was named the recipient of the 2015 Myers Brothers Award. Voted upon by the National Motorsports Press Association, it is an esteemed accolade recognizing those who have made outstanding contributions to stock car racing.

The track "Too Tough Too Tame" led an industry-wide tribute to the sport's roots that coincided with NASCAR's return to Darlington on its traditional Labor Day weekend date for the first time since 2003. The annual event first took place when Darlington founder Harold Brasington opened NASCAR's original concrete oval in 1950 and 25,000 spectators flocked to the egg-shaped South Carolina track.

Teams emblazoned retro paints schemes on their cars, while drivers and crew members grew moustaches in homage to greats like Earnhardt and Petty. NBC even brought its old broadcast booth – consisting of Ned Jarrett, Dale Jarrett and Ken Squier – back together to call part of the race.

The best of the past and present were meshed together, providing long-time fans with nostalgia of their earliest NASCAR memories and giving new stock car racing enthusiasts an appreciation of the sport's rich history.

The Myers Brothers Award – named after pioneer NASCAR competitors Billy and Bobby Myers – has been presented every year since 1958.