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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina lawmakers have given Darlington Raceway its own week.

The state House and Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution declaring race week in May as "Darlington Raceway Week" in South Carolina.

The Southern 500, a Sprint Cup series event, is scheduled to run Saturday, May 9.

Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell said Darlington played a big role in NASCAR becoming one of the most popular sports in the country.

The track is celebrating its 60th year of racing in 2009.

Darlington Raceway brings in about $54 million each year for the state of South Carolina, according to an economic impact study the NASCAR track released.

Darlington president Chris Browning was at the Statehouse Wednesday to present the findings to South Carolina leaders.

The study was conducted by the Washington Economics Group. The firm has conducted similar studies for corporations like IBM and MasterCard International.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)