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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Darlington Raceway wants to bring families back to NASCAR by expanding youth discounts for next year's racing season.

Track spokesman Jake Harris told The Associated Press Wednesday that Darlington will offer half-price seating for youths 17-and-under at the Showtime Southern 500 next May and free tickets to its Nationwide and Camping World Truck series events.

Previous youth discounts had been for those 12-and-under.

The moves come a year after Darlington cut ticket prices for about 44,000 of its 62,000 seats. The track also plans for more family seating sections, where no alcohol or tobacco are permitted.

Darlington Raceway president Chris Browning says officials wanted to make the track "Too Tough To Tame" as family friendly as possible.

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