Darlington Stripe

A Darlington Stripe is a mark or scrape along the right side of a NASCAR race car caused by brushing against the outside wall at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

This distinctive stripe is considered almost a badge of honor among NASCAR drivers due to Darlington's challenging egg-shaped layout, which often forces competitors to run extremely close to the wall to maintain speed. The track's nickname, "Too Tough To Tame," reflects how common these wall encounters are, even for skilled drivers.

While sometimes a Darlington Stripe results from a minor mistake, it can also be the consequence of aggressive racing strategy. Modern NASCAR vehicles use composite body panels that can withstand light wall contact, allowing drivers to continue racing after earning their stripe.