Apparently, getting married at Darlington Raceway is a popular idea.

Track spokeswoman Cathy Mock says the raceway sold out all its available wedding packages for the Southern 500 next month a week after announcing them.

Mock wouldn't say how many couples will tie the knot at the historic track Aug. 31, only that nuptials will start at 8 a.m. and run through noon, when pre-race activities begin. She said there would be about 20 to 30 minutes between services.

Mock came up with the idea as something quirky for NASCAR's first superspeedway.

In past years, ''The Track Too Tough To Tame" routinely got calls about its availability for weddings.

''This year, we decided to give it a try," track president Andrew Gurtis said. ''The response has been overwhelming, to put it mildly."

Wedding packages cost $100 and include admission to the Winston Cup race.

Couples will get married Sunday morning by a justice of the peace in Victory Lane only hours before the final Labor Day weekend Southern 500 champion arrives.

Instead of a reception, they'll have passes to stroll through the busy pit area for the first time as husband and wife. And what newlyweds wouldn't trade candlesticks and place settings for the commemorative embroidered Darlington caps they'll receive?

The first couple walking down Victory Lane will be Craig Norrell and Lesa Russell from Troup, Texas, the track said.

Darlington's not the first stop on the NASCAR circuit to serve as a combo church and reception hall.

Bristol Motor Speedway had 12 happy couples exchange vows -- all with Winston Cup driver Jerry Nadeau serving as best man -- before watching the Sharpie 500 last August. Bristol spokesman Ben Trout says they have at least 10 couples ready for ceremonies next month.

Daytona USA bills its ''Victory Lane Weddings" as ''An Elegant Atmosphere in a Legendary Location" and offers them throughout the year, according to its Web site.

Couples are driven to Daytona International Speedway's Victory Lane in an official pace car. They receive, among other things, commemorative champagne glasses, a certificate, T-shirts and hats.

It might be hard for some to understand the appeal of getting married with the smell of gas fumes and the earsplitting sounds of Winston Cup engines. But Gurtis says Darlington obviously holds a special significance for fans -- especially a few who'll share their wedding day with about 60,000 others.

''We are honored that so many of our guests want to exchange their vows at Darlington Raceway," he said. ''We look forward to making this package even bigger and better in 2004."

WIDE OPEN:@ It appears rules changes made over the winter to give Ferrari some competition in Formula One have worked.

A year ago, Michael Schumacher clinched the F1 drivers' championship at the 11th race of the season and teammate Rubens Barrichello wound up second in the points. Now, after changing the way drivers qualify and making them start the races with the same tires and fuel they had after their qualifying runs, everything is different.

After the first 11 races of 2003, seven drivers have won races and seven drivers still have at least a mathematical chance to win the title.

Schumacher does lead with 69 points, but bunched closely behind the five-time champion are Kimi Raikkonen with 62, Juan Pablo Montoya with 55, younger brother Ralf Schumacher with 53 and Barrichello with 49.

Longshots still in the hunt are Fernando Alonso, sixth with 39 points, and David Coulthard with 33. Of that group, only Alonso has not won a race this season.

''It is still open," said McLaren-Mercedes driver Raikkonen, who shaved one point from Schumacher's championship lead by finishing ahead of him Sunday in the British Grand Prix. ''We still have a good chance. ... You never know what happens in the races, and it can turn around completely very quickly in the next race."

With five consecutive top-three finishes, including a win, three seconds and a third, Montoya has moved ahead of his Williams-BMW teammate, Ralf Schumacher.