There was always a beauty contest at the track and a parade through Darlington. There were no racing uniforms, and I remember a lot of drivers, especially Jim Paschal and Joe Weatherly, wore Darlington shirts when they raced. The shirts were white and had little guys carrying Rebel flags.
I also recall that we would come and go through the gate on the backstretch near the third turn. There was a guy on the gate who checked credentials. He never smiled at anybody, but he'd always give us a watermelon or two. We'd ask if he had any watermelons. He'd say, "Well, I don't know. I might have one or two. You'll have to get out and look in the back of my pickup. If there are any watermelons in there, get yourself a couple."
Somebody would get out and look. There would always be one or two. We'd offer to pay him. He'd say, "Naw, go on, I don't want your money."
The world moves at a faster pace today. Darlington is more like just another race on the fall schedule, although those of us who raced there during our careers still retain a lot of fond memories of the place.
Yes, I look for the watermelon man at the back gate every time I'm there. I haven't seen him in years, but I don't guess I'll ever forget him.