Darlington's all about attitude

by Jeff Hammond

Updated: May 8, 2008, 2:47 PM EST 114 comments

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That track is challenging and unpredictable and just when you think you have it figured out, it will reach up and grab you. I think that makes Darlington what she is. She's got a face-lift with the new surface. It's going to have a ton more grip, but this track is not designed to go as fast as some of these guys are going to try to do.

Darlington is all about attitude. If you roll into that place and don't like it, I promise you that you will never conquer her. You have to believe you can find a compromise with this racetrack. Priority one at Darlington is that you have to race the racetrack — not your competitors there. You have to race the racetrack. You have to beat Darlington before you worry about beating Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson or the others out on the track.

Race the racetrack. Respect the racetrack. That is probably the hardest thing for a lot of drivers to do. This racetrack will teach you so quickly that as soon as you make a mistake, you don't pay a little bit — you pay a lot.

A guy who always comes to mind when we go to Darlington is Jeff Burton. This is his style of racetrack. He is smooth and calculating. He is smart enough and sharp enough to be the favorite. Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt need to be considered. After watching how Jeff Gordon and that whole No. 24 rebounded during the Richmond race, I think we need to keep our eye on them, too.

I think everyone should try and make it a point to tune into NASCAR on FOX Saturday night to watch this race. I don't know if we will ever have a chance to see a race as challenging and as fast as it potentially can be this weekend. This racetrack will take your breath away. I can't imagine them barreling down into these turns 25-30 mph faster than what they have done in the past. This could be one of the darnedest races when it comes to surviving as we have ever seen in recent years at Darlington.

FOX race analyst Jeff Hammond led Darrell Waltrip to two of DW's three Winston Cup championships as his crew chief. They also teamed to win the 1989 Daytona 500.

For autographed copies of Jeff Hammond's book "Real Men Work in the Pits" plus magnets, hats and more, check out www.dwstore.com.

For photos and appearances, visit Jeff's web site www.jeffhammond.com.