Sweet wager: Martinsville Speedway squares off against MIS in Sugar Bowl bet

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 27s, 2011) – Next Tuesday’s Sugar Bowl will pit two legendary programs against one another – Martinsville Speedway and Michigan International Speedway.

The top dogs for the two NASCAR racetracks will square off head-to-head, each backing his state’s marquee football team. MIS boss Roger Curtis will cheer for the legendary University of Michigan, while Martinsville boss Clay Campbell has picked Virginia Tech to win.

Here’s the bet: If the No. 11 Hokies win, Curtis will travel to Martinsville, Va., in April for that track’s NASCAR event and serve the half-mile track’s Famous Martinsville Speedway Hotdog® to media. Curtis will wear something in Chicago maroon and burnt orange, likely emblazoned with the Hokie Bird or the famous “VT.”

If the No. 13 Wolverines win, Campbell will visit MIS in June during MIS’ NASCAR event and serve MIS’ signature Coney Dogs to the press. Coney dogs were invented in Jackson., Mich., just 15 miles north of MIS.

Oh, and Campbell will also be outfitted in something special should the University of Michigan win.

“Clay Campbell will look good wearing maize and blue at MIS,” MIS President Roger Curtis said. “Michigan is the winningest program in the history of college football, and Michigan International Speedway has a winning tradition of great NASCAR racing. The lifeblood for us in Michigan, no doubt, is winning, which the University of Michigan will do.”

Michigan International Speedway has strong ties to University of Michigan. In August, Heisman Trophy winner from the school and ESPN College Football analyst Desmond Howard served as grand marshal for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race, and legendary former coach Lloyd Carr performed the duties in June.

“Martinsville Speedway and Virginia Tech are more than neighbors … we’re like family. Coach Beamer grew up not far from here and he comes to many of our races,” said Campbell. “So the Sugar Bowl is more than just a bowl game for us. It’s like family on the field and that makes it way more important than just a football game.”

This is the first time the two track presidents – and the schools – will face off.

Virginia Tech, 11-2 on the season, is the only team in the country to win 10 games for eight straight seasons. The Hokies have also been to 19 consecutive bowl games.

This will be Michigan’s 41st trip to a bowl game. The school has an 18-3 all-time record against ACC schools.

The Sugar Bowl is one of the most successful college football bowl games of its kind, played annually in New Orleans since 1935. The Sugar Bowl will be broadcast live on ESPN.

Founded in 1947 by the late H.Clay Earles, Martinsville Speedway is the only track remaining on the NASCAR Sprint Cup circuit that hosted an event in the series’ inaugural year, 1949. While the facility has grown with the times to include modern, state-of-the-art amenities, the racing hasn’t changed. It is “racing the way you want it to be.”

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, 30 miles from Ann Arbor, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

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Harvicks Lend Helping Hand To Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 21, 2011) – Kevin Harvick could easily be spending his short offseason in some exotic resort, resting up from the grueling NASCAR Sprint Cup season.

But instead the popular NASCAR driver and his wife DeLana have kept busy much of the past couple of weeks working to make Christmas better for needy children, and for the second straight year their work has helped children in Martinsville and Henry County.

The Kevin Harvick Foundation donated about 125 toys to the Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive on Tuesday. Those toys will be distributed to needy youngsters by Christmas Cheer of Martinsville and Henry County

The Harvicks live about 35 miles south of Martinsville Speedway and often refer to Martinsville Speedway as their “home track.” They have partnered with Martinsville Speedway on several events, but the toy donation is their way of giving back to the Martinsville and Henry County area.

“Kevin is a such a competitor on the track. We saw that here last spring when he passed Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. to win the Goody’s 500 here,” Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell said of Harvick. “But away from the track he and DeLana have such big hearts. Living so close to Martinsville, they understand the problems we have in this area, that we’ve got almost 20 percent unemployment and Christmas is an especially tough time.”

The Kevin Harvick Foundation and radio station 93.1 The Wolf sponsored a month long toy-drive and fundraising concert last week at Johnny and June’s in Winston-Salem, NC, featuring country music stars Jake Owen and the Eli Young Band. The main beneficiaries of the successful event were foster children in Guilford and Forsyth counties, but the Harvicks made sure some of the toys made their way to Martinsville and Henry County.

“We are thankful for all the support we’ve gotten from fans in the Martinsville area over the years and this is just a small way we can pay them back,” said Harvick. “We are extremely lucky to have received such amazing support through the toy-drive concert. The holidays can be hard and we hope all of these kids will know there are many people that care about them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martinsville Speedway’s Campbell Named Promoter Of The Year By Old Timers Racing Club

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 15, 2011) – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell was recently named the promoter of the year by the Old Timers Racing Club.

The award was presented to Campbell for his tireless effort to treat drivers in every division at Martinsville Speedway fairly and equally.

Campbell, who is a driver himself, was selected from a large group of promoters, past and present, which included his late grandfather and founder of Martinsville Speedway, H. Clay Earles. The group of nominees also included Bruton Smith, CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Humpy Wheeler, former promoter of Charlotte Motor Speedway, the late Enoch Staley, founder of North Wilkesboro Speedway and the late Paul Sawyer, founder of Richmond International Raceway.


“It is an incredible honor to be picked from this group. Just to be mentioned in the same breath with my grandfather and all of these other gentlemen,” said Campbell. “I thank the Old Timers Racing Club for this award and for what they do to help our sport.”

The Old Timers Racing Club was formed in 1991 to offer aid to former drivers with its Medical Hardship Fund. The club has more than 400 members and has helped dozens of retired drivers over the past two decades.

 

 

 

 

Martinsville Speedway Toy Drives Brings Christmas Cheer To 200 Children



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 10, 2010) – Hundreds of people turned out Saturday for hot laps around Martinsville Speedway, really hot laps in the pace car with Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell, and most importantly to donate hundreds of toys and money to the 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive.

Almost 1,000 toys were donated along with an additional $2,500. The toys will be distributed to needy families in the Martinsville and Henry County area by the Grace Network, an organization of almost 100 area churches.

“It was a great day, a fun day with so many people coming together to help,” said Campbell. “I say this every year, and I’ll say it again: the generosity of our community and the generosity of the racing community always amaze me.

“Everyone that came out today helped put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces Christmas morning.”

Those toys will go to help about 200 children in the Martinsville and Henry County area have a brighter Christmas morning.

People donated $10 to drive their cars around the historic half-mile oval while the more adventuresome donated $25 to take hot laps in the Martinsville Speedway pace car with Campbell behind the wheel.

The Grace Network will use all money collected in the toy drive and from concession sales to purchase additional toys.

“The volunteers with the Grace Network do an amazing job. They handle the hard work of getting all the toys boxed, additional toys purchased and everything distributed,” said Campbell. “We couldn’t do this without them.”

The Grace Network utilized about 40 volunteers Saturday. They collected toys and cash from those people who wanted to drive around the track in their cars. They transported toys to the infield, sorted them by age group and then boxed them for distribution to families.

The staff of Martinsville Speedway donated their time Saturday to man the infield concession stand to cook

 

 

 

 

Clay Campbell Spends Day On Sign, Nets Children’s Foundation Over $25,000



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 9, 2011) – Clay Campbell could have made an early descent from atop the Martinsville Speedway entrance sign Friday afternoon, but he knew the longer he stayed up in the air meant more money to help needy children in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

Campbell, the president of Martinsville Speedway, had vowed to stay perched some 38 feet in the air until he raised $20,000 for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation. That total was hit by mid-afternoon, but Campbell made the easy decision to stay put, even as temperatures dropped later in the afternoon.

By the time Campbell descended at 4 p.m. contributions had topped $25,000.

“It wasn’t nearly as cold as it was last year, so I figured I would stick it out up there as long as I could so we can help as many children as we can,” said Campbell. “It always amazes me how generous the folks of Martinsville and Henry County and our friends in our racing family are. In today’s economy, to be able to raise this much money in a single day is incredible.”

The temperature hovered just below freezing when Campbell was lifted to his roost. The temperature rose into the high 40s during midday, but then dropped as the afternoon wore on. The only time he came down during the eight hours were for a couple of TV and radio interviews.

The Christmas spirit revs back up at Martinsville Speedway Saturday with the 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive to help needy youngsters in the Martinsville and Henry County area have a good Christmas.

During the toy drive, fans will get to drive their personal vehicles around Martinsville Speedway’s famous half-mile track if they donate a toy or make a $10 donation. Volunteers from the Grace Network will be at the pit gate to collect the donations.

For those who want to make a little quicker trip around the track than they can in their personal vehicle, Campbell will give them five hot laps in one of Martinsville Speedway’s pace cars for a $25 donation. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Campbell.

Fans will also be able to walk into the infield via the pedestrian tunnel and drop off toys and monetary donations at a table set up close to the infield concession stand.

Martinsville Speedway staff members will be making and selling the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog™ and Pepsi products for $1 each, with proceeds going to the Grace Network.

Santa Claus will be making his annual appearance at the track from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The Grace Network, a local group comprised of almost 100 churches, will distribute the collected toys to families in need. The monetary donations from Saturday will be used to purchase additional toys. All of the toys will remain in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect Weather On The Way For Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive, Fundraiser



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (December 7, 2011) – It looks like Mother Nature is going do her part to make sure Martinsville Speedway’s weekend of helping area youngsters is successful.

The weather forecast for the track’s two-day toy and fund drive is superb, with clear skies and comfortable temperatures.

Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell appreciates the weather forecast. He will be kicking the weekend off early Friday morning when he is lifted some 30 feet into the air above the Martinsville Speedway entrance sign. That is where he will stay until he raises at least $20,000 for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation.

Temperatures will be a bit nippy, in the high 20s, when Campbell goes up on the sign at 8 a.m., but will warm up quite a bit through the day.

Campbell and the entire Martinsville Speedway staff will spend Saturday hosting the 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive with all toys and cash donations going to the Grace Network to help needy children in the Martinsville and Henry County area have a happy Christmas. The toy drive will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Donations to rescue Campbell may be made in several ways. There will be a collection point directly under him on Friday. Checks should be made out to the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation. Donations can also be mailed to: Martinsville Speedway, PO Box 3311, Martinsville, VA, 24115.

The Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation helps year-round with various medical needs of children in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

The toy drive is a fun-filled day for everyone, from staff to volunteers to the many folks who turn out to enjoy the day and help make sure every tree has a present under it.

During the toy drive, fans will get to drive their personal vehicles around Martinsville Speedway’s famous half-mile track if they donate a toy or make a $10 donation. Volunteers from the Grace Network will be at the pit gate to collect the donations.

Fans will also be able to walk into the infield via the pedestrian tunnel and drop off toys and monetary donations at a table set up close to the infield concession stand.

Martinsville Speedway staff members will be making and selling the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog™ and Pepsi products for $1 each, with proceeds going to the Grace Network.

For those who want to make a little quicker trip around the track than they can in their personal vehicle, Campbell will give them five hot laps in one of Martinsville Speedway’s pace cars for a $25 donation. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Campbell.

Anyone unable to make it to the toy drive Saturday can drop off toys or donations at the Speedway office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Santa Claus will be making his annual appearance at the track from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and will listen to the wishes of boys and girls.

The Grace Network, a local group comprised of almost 100 churches, will distribute the collected toys to families in need. The monetary donations from Saturday will be used to purchase additional toys. All of the toys will remain in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former NBA Star Daugherty Stands Tall In Martinsville Speedway Truck Test



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (November 30, 2011) – Brad Daugherty has watched lots of races at Martinsville Speedway, as a fan, car owner and TV analyst for ESPN. After last month’s TUMS Fast Relief 500, he knew he had to turn some laps himself on the historic oval.



And that’s what he did most of Wednesday, run laps at Martinsville Speedway, in a race truck, specially modified to allow plenty of room for his 7-foot-1 frame. The former NBA All-Star recorded some pretty good times, too, clocking in laps of under 22 seconds, which is within shouting distance of the qualifying speed for a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville.

“This is a great track. I think the biggest thing for Andy Petree (former Sprint Cup Series championship crew chief and fellow ESPN analyst) and I was the last race here,” said Daugherty, explaining why he picked Martinsville to test.

“I thought it (TUMS Fast Relief 500) was the best race we had all year, including the Homestead race, which was great … watching Carl and Tony battle. But that race we had here was just the best we had all season long. And when we left here, Andy was like, ‘we got to bring our stuff back here and runs some laps.’ This place is just cool.”

Petree, who has actually run a couple of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races at Martinsville, was back behind the wheel in his own truck Wednesday, helping show Daugherty the ropes. Not that he needed a lot of help. He’s been involved in racing since he was a teenager and driven in several different divisions over the years.

“I’ve been racing a little here and there, at Hickory, at Myrtle Beach (speedways). Probably over the last eight or nine years, I’ve raced more and more,” said Daugherty, a former All-American at the University of North Carolina. “I’ve raced for quite a while, but I’ve always just dabbled. I’ve never been able to do a lot because of basketball and the TV work I do.”

Daugherty plans on running much of the National Auto Sport Association Southeastern Regional schedule in a truck next season. That’s the reason he built the truck he had at Martinsville, one with an interior designed for his size.

“We took the oil cooler out from behind the seat and moved it up to the right front corner of the truck and moved the seat and cab back about 14 inches,” said Daugherty, who will have to do a little offseason work on the truck after scrubbing the wall late in Wednesday’s test. “It’s the first time I’ve ever had this much room in anything I’ve raced.”

Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway with the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on March 31 and the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 on April 1. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

 

 

 

 

 

After 14 Years, Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive Still A Date To Circle On Calendar



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (November 29, 2011) – Even without a race car or driver in sight, December 10 will be one of the most important days of the year at Martinsville Speedway. It’s the date of the 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive, and the list of families needing Christmas help is longer than it has ever been in the prior 14 years.

“This year we have found many who are experiencing hard times who would have never had to ask before because of short time, loss of jobs or illness,” said Becky McKinney, president of the board of directors for the Grace Network, a network of almost 100 churches in the area that identifies the families in need and distributes toys to them.

“We are continuing to experience such difficult times in our community. It is all some families can do to keep a roof over their heads, lights on, and food on their tables. Imagine what a challenge providing Christmas for their children will be.”

The Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive will be December 10 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the Martinsville Speedway infield. A day earlier, December 9, Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell will climb atop the Martinsville Speedway entrance sign at 8 a.m. and remain there until $20,000 in donations for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation are received.

The Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive was founded 15 years ago to help families as unemployment rates approached 10 percent in the area. For the past decade, that rate has often been closer to 20 percent than 10 and the need has soared.

“We know how difficult it is for a lot of people all year long, but especially this time of the year,” said Campbell. “We just want to lend a hand, to help put some smiles on kids’ faces on Christmas morning. And we need a lot of help to make sure all those kids are smiling.”

Anyone donating a new, unwrapped toy or making a $10 donation will get to drive their personal car around the historic half-mile oval. For a $25 donation, Martinsville Speedway Campbell will give five hot laps around the track in one of Martinsville Speedway’s pace cars. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Campbell.

As has become a tradition, the Martinsville Speedway staff will be manning the infield concession stand on Saturday, making and serving the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog™. Hot dogs and Pepsi products are $1 each, with proceeds going toward purchasing toys.

Santa Claus will be making his annual appearance at the track at 11 a.m. and will listen to the wishes of boys and girls.

The Grace Network is in charge of indentifying those in need, purchasing toys with funds raised and then distributing them. McKinney said the Grace Network is working with other agencies to make sure there are no duplication of efforts.

Anyone who would like to donate a toy, but cannot make it to the Toy Drive, can drop them off at the Martinsville Speedway ticket office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

 

 

 

Construction Set To Begin On New Restrooms, Wider Concourse At Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (November 28, 2011) – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell announced today a project that will result in new and larger restrooms and a wider concourse under the Richard Petty Tower.

The new restrooms will be almost twice as large as the present ones and contain amenities comparable with any large entertainment venue.

The width of the concourse will be doubled which should greatly improve the flow of pedestrian traffic under the Richard Petty Tower, which is on the fourth-turn end of the front stretch.

“We constantly work on making sure our fans have the best experience possible here on race weekends and this was the next logical step for us,” said Campbell. “We’ve gotten great fan feedback from the project we completed last winter and this one is very similar. We think it’s going to be a big hit with the fans.”

The work will begin immediately with demolition of the existing buildings under the Richard Petty Tower. Construction will be completed in time for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 on April 1.

This comes on the heels of a similar project completed last winter when all of the restrooms and concession stands on the first-turn end of the front stretch were demolished and replaced, also created a larger concourse area.

According to Rick Magee of Frith Construction Co., the project’s general contractor, all of the work will be done by “local contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.” He said the project will employ about 35 workers for 2 ½ months.

Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway March 30-April 1 with the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 weekend. Tickets for both events are on sale and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Campbell To Go Back Up On Sign As Toy Drive Returns To Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (November 8, 2011) – For the 15th consecutive year, Martinsville Speedway will be spearheading a drive to help the needy children of Martinsville and Henry County. And for the second straight year, it will be a two-day event.

The 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive is scheduled for Saturday, December 10, the day after Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell will sit atop the track’s entrance sign to raise funds for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation.

Campbell will be lifted to his perch some 40 feet in the air at 8 a.m. on Friday, December 9 and remain there until he raises $20,000 for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation. Last year Campbell spent over eight hours suspended above the ground in frigid conditions before he came down after collecting $24,837.

“It was a bitter cold day last year, but it was worth every minute I was up there,” said Campbell. “I would like to get down a little earlier this year, so I urge all my friends to come by and write a check to help the youngsters in our area.”

The Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive will be held the following day, Saturday, December 10, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the infield of the track.

Fans will get to drive their personal vehicles around the historic Martinsville Speedway if they donate a toy or make a $10 donation. Pace cars will lead the personal vehicles around the track.

There will be plenty other options for those not interested in the drive around.

For a $25 donation, Campbell will give fans five hot laps in one of the Martinsville Speedway pace cars. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Campbell.

As has become a tradition, the Martinsville Speedway staff will be manning the infield concession stand on Saturday, making and serving the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dogs™. Hot dogs and Pepsi products are $1 each, with proceeds going toward purchasing toys.

Santa Claus will be making his annual appearance at the track at noon and will listen to the wishes of boys and girls.

Anyone who would like to donate a toy, but cannot make it to the Toy Drive, can drop them off at the Martinsville Speedway ticket office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Grace Network, a local group comprised of almost 100 churches, will distribute the collected toys to families in need. The monetary donations will be used to purchase additional toys. All of the toys will remain in the Martinsville and Henry County area.

 

 

 

 

Martinsville Speedway’s Season-Of-Excitement Pays Off For Fans In 2012



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (November 3, 2011) – Two races, 54 lead changes, two late-race passes for the victory and more beating and banging than you can count equals one of the best NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons ever at Martinsville Speedway.

Tony Stewart made an improbable outside pass of Jimmie Johnson with three laps to go Sunday to win the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Last spring Kevin Harvick got by Dale Earnhardt, also with three laps to go, to capture the Goody’s Fast Relief 500. Harvick’s pass of Earnhardt was the 31st lead change in the race, breaking a record that had stood for more than 30 years. This past Sunday there were 23 lead changes and 18 caution periods.

“It’s no secret that the best racing action is at short tracks, and Martinsville Speedway had the best action anywhere this year,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “The feedback we’ve gotten the last few days from fans and even from the drivers has been amazing. They all agree it doesn’t get any better than the racing we had at Martinsville Speedway this year.”

To help fans celebrate that great racing, Martinsville Speedway is offering a save-your-seat Special for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 on April 1. For $14, which commemorates Stewart’s car number, fans can hold their seat for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500.

Put $14 down on your order today and schedule the remaining payments through early February 2012. To take advantage of the special $14 offer, call 877.RACE.TIX.

Stewart reached out with praise for Martinsville Speedway fans during his post-race interviews Sunday following his TUMS Fast Relief 500 victory.

“To pass Jimmie Johnson on the outside at Martinsville with two laps to go and to watch the crowd on the backstretch, then watch them on the front stretch when we cleared him, you swear people are going to fall onto the racetrack,” Stewart said after his third career Martinsville win.

“You feel that energy. You sense that. That’s not that you need extra motivation, but it’s cool to know you got that kind of support. It’s just that extra drive that gets you the rest of the way that last lap. It’s cool”

For more information on other ticket information for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 weekend March 31-April 1, visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com  or call 877.RACE.TIX.

 

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Stewart Back In Action At Martinsville Just Hours After TUMS 500 Victory



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 31, 2011) – Less than 24 hours after he crawled out of his race car at Martinsville Speedway following his win in the TUMS Fast Relief 500, Tony Stewart crawled back in it at the historic Virginia track.

But there were no points, no grandfather clocks, no big checks on the line, just lots of laps around the half-mile oval.

Stewart was one of nine drivers on hand Monday for a one-day NASCAR Sprint Cup Series test of the Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) at Martinsville Speedway. Plans call for the full implementation of EFI in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series beginning with the 2012 season, which means in will be in use for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville on April 1.

It was purely coincidental that Stewart was back in action literally hours after his third Martinsville win that put pressure on Sprint Cup point leader Carl Edwards. The test lineup, which included Kurt Busch, Joey Logano, A.J. Almendinger, Ryan Newman, Regan Smith, Jamie McMurray, Joe Nemechek and Mike Skinner, was decided weeks ago.

And though he would probably rather have been elsewhere after his third win of the season, he was OK with staying another day in Martinsville.

“You do this because it’s part of the job. Testing is not one of my favorite things to do by any means, but it’s a necessary evil,” said Stewart, who trails Edwards by just nine points in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. “It’s what you have to do to be better. It just shows you even with the championship chase we are in right now we are already working toward next year.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Director of Competition said Monday’s EFI test was another step toward successful implementation next year.

“This (today) wasn’t about how much we learned, but one more step in a series of planned EFI tests to help the teams to learn and work through all the configurations of race tracks they will be faced with in 2012 and the EFI system as a whole,” said Darby.

“If you look at everything as a whole, as far as being able to compare what’s going on today to a real, live race situation yesterday, the lap speeds are the same and the cars are driving as well.”

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Stewart Makes Strong Move On The High Side To Capture TUMS Fast Relief 500



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 30, 2011) – Tony Stewart made a daring move to the high side of leader Jimmie Johnson with three laps to go to win the TUMS Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.

Johnson had the preferred inside line on a restart on lap 498 after the 18th caution flag of the day, but Stewart managed to make the difficult outside pass going into the first turn and held on for his third victory of 2011 and his third career win at Martinsville Speedway.

“I don’t know because I don’t think anybody has ever passed Jimmie Johnson on the outside, so just determination,” Stewart said when asked about his late pass of Johnson. “I don’t think we had the best racecar today by any means, but we had the most determined pit crew to get it as good as they can get it. I was pretty mad all day, but I was the only guy who didn’t get in a wreck with somebody so I was kind of proud of that.”

Johnson wound up second followed by Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin.

NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader Carl Edwards overcame what could have been an awful day to finish ninth and maintain his lead in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Edwards was a lap down at one time and was mired outside of the top 20 much of the day.

It was a slugfest of a day, with 18 caution periods for 108 laps, a season high for both.

“It’s just Martinsville, isn’t it?” said Gordon. “I think it’s a combination of late in the year and Martinsville and sometimes just the way the race goes. If you get early cautions here at Martinsville, that usually contributes itself to more cautions. Those are more guys, somebody’s upset, tempers are flaring, incidents happen. It escalates from there.”

Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway on April 1, 2012 with the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500. Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX.

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Hamlin Makes Bold Move To Win Kroger 200 At Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 29, 2011) – Denny Hamlin made a spectacular move with 13 laps remaining Saturday afternoon to win the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

“This is a great race track for us. I knew this was going to be one of my best opportunities to win a truck race,” said Hamlin, who was driving a truck owned by Kyle Busch. “To win and to win in the fashion we did win … considering where we were running then, wherever that was … it was a special win.

“I just gave it all I had the last 50 laps…that’s the hardest 50 laps I’ve ever driven at Martinsville.”

It was Hamlin’s first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win and his fifth career win at Martinsville. He has four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victories at Martinsville and will be gunning for a fifth Sunday in the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

On the final restart Hamlin was running third behind NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points contenders Austin Dillon and Ron Hornaday Jr. Dillon washed up the track entering the first turn and tapped Hornaday, allowing Hamlin to take the lead.

Hornaday wound up second with Dillon third. Johnny Sauter finished fourth with rookie Joey Coulter fifth.

“I just needed them to get single-file so I could pick them off. I felt we were so much faster than them,” said Hamlin, referring to Dillon and Hornaday on the restart. “We knew they were racing for points and didn’t want to put them in a bad spot. I just wanted them to move up and they did.”

“We gave it to him. I just didn’t make the first turn and I ran into Ron,” said Dillon. “If I hadn’t done that it would have been one of us in victory lane. I’ve just got to figure out how to make that first turn better on restarts.”

“It was a great day … a pretty cool day for us,” said Hornaday. “Austin raced me pretty hard at the end. I don’t know how Denny snuck through us and stole the win.”

Dillon remains the leader in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, holding an 11-point advantage over James Buescher, who finished 10 Saturday.

There were 12 different lead changes among eight drivers, a Martinsville record.

Action returns to Martinsville Sunday with the TUMS Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race, set to take the green flag at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are available and may be purchased on line at www.martinsvillespeedway.com  or at the Martinsville Speedway ticket office, which opens at 8 a.m. Sunday.

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Rain Wipes Out Sprint Cup Practice At Martinsville, Full Schedule Set For Saturday



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 28, 2011) – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Friday has been postponed at Martinsville Speedway. Practice is now scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Saturday prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying.

Truck Series qualifying is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. followed by Sprint Cup time trials at 12:10 p.m.

Fan gates will open at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

“It seems like the fall race here in Martinsville we get rain one of the three days, so I guess I would rather have it today, then Sunday,” said driver Ryan Newman said.

Prior to the call by NASCAR to reschedule practice Kevin Harvick emphasized that the weather is out of the hands of the drivers and is not worried about the impact it may or may not have on the No. 29 Budweiser Chevrolet.

“I don’t think it will affect us a tremendous amount but it will have an effect on getting the small things right and the things that you do at the beginning of the race, trying to build a little more adjustability into your car. I would rather not see all that happen,” said Stewart.

Jeff Gordon, six-time winner at Martinsville Speedway, expressed his discontent with the current weather, weather that is not forecasted to stay for the entire weekend.

“We’ve got a couple of things we would like to try,” Gordon said. “Things that maybe are on our list of things we didn’t get a chance to try last time or things we’ve come up with since then.”

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series got its practice session in Friday. Ron Hornaday led that practice, followed by Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Matt Crafton and Todd Bodine.

FIVE-TIME AND MISS SPRINT AT MARTINSVILLE: Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Johnson and Miss Sprint Cup will be available for questions from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at The Sprint Experience in the Martinsville Speedway midway. One lucky fan will have the chance to square off against Johnson in the champion’s new video game, “Anything With An Engine,” on a big screen television.

JUST TREATS FOR KIDS AFTER KROGER 200: The Martinsville Speedway midway will be transformed into the largest trick-or-treat zone from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Dozens of souvenir rigs gathered around the midway will hand out goodies for youngsters trick-or-treating.

Under the bright red Martinsville Speedway tent, several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers, including Joey Coulter, Timothy Peters, Matt Lofton, Josh Richards and Dakoda Armstrong as well as Clay Campbell, Martinsville Speedway President, will be treating children to candy and other goodies.

The Martinsville midway and souvenir area is located across the fourth-turn are of the track, adjacent to the Bill France Tour.

TICKETS: Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 begin at $25 and range to $77.

Tickets to Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race Saturday are $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the race, with children 12 and under admitted free.

Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  online.
 

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Gaughan, Peters Bring Message Of Respect, Good Decisions To 750 Students

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 27, 2011) – As drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, Brendan Gaughan and Timothy Peters understand better than most the importance of good decisions and the value of respect.

Thursday the veteran Camping World Truck Series drivers brought that message to more than 750 students at Laurel Park Middle School. Fifty-five of those students are members of the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge.

Both Gaughan and Peters expressed their belief that the respect students earn for themselves as well as the respect they display for others is about choosing the right path throughout life.

“Character is what you do,” said Gaughan. “It is whether you choose to bully the kid next to you or to pick that kid up.”

Students learned first-hand the impact decisions have and how making a series of correct ones is of the utmost importance.

When Peters, who lives about 15 miles from the school, brought out his fire suit, racing gloves and shoes, Gaughan brought the students attention to the work behind each. He made the students aware of the science and math behind all of it as well as the amount each of those subjects are used daily in racing. Gaughan challenged the middle school students to use lessons learned to invent the safety material of the future.

Two students were selected to stand center court, one to try on the fire suit and the other to put on the gloves and shoes prior to the conclusion of the program. Once they returned to their seats, hands were in the air as Gaughan and Peters answered questions from those in attendance.

Both stayed for some time signing autographs for the youngsters, which included 200 members of the Boys & Girls Club Camp Excel program. Camp Excel is a twice weekly after school program that assists students with their homework.

After the gym was clear and students were dismissed Peters stated, “I hope they took what we said with consideration and it stays with them for awhile.”

Students from the program will be at Martinsville Speedway this weekend helping run the NASCAR Foundation booth along the midway.

THE SCHEDULE: The first on-track action at Martinsville Speedway will be a practice session for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at 11 a.m. Friday, kicking off a day full of excitement. It will be followed by practice for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and another Kroger 200 practice.

Time trials for the Kroger 200 begin at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday with qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 scheduled for 12:10 p.m.

There will be back-to-back Sprint Cup practice sessions beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Kroger 200 taking the green flag at 2 p.m.

The TUMS Fast Relief 500 is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

TICKETS: Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 begin at $25 and range to $77.

Tickets to Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 29 are $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the race, with children 12 and under admitted free.

Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  online.

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Action, Weather, Prices Should Make For Perfect Weekend At Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 26, 2011) – A perfect storm is brewing for Sunday’s TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, and it has nothing to do with bad weather. In fact, it’s partly about great weather.


Three of the best things a race fan can ask for will come together at Martinsville Speedway Sunday afternoon: good weather, great racing and amazing ticket prices.

Just 26 points separate the top five drivers in the Chase for the Sprint Cup coming into Martinsville Speedway and the TUMS Fast Relief 500, a race known for its action. How much action? Last spring’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 saw a record 31 lead changes.

“When you come to a race at Martinsville Speedway, you are just about guaranteed to see lots of action, and with the Chase as tight as it is, expect more action than ever,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. ‘You’re right on top of all the action, here, too. You can almost reach out and touch the cars here.”

The prices are as exceptional as the action. Tickets range from $35 to $77, and there are plenty of seats left in most all areas.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on keeping ticket prices affordable,” said Campbell. “That’s certainly the case this weekend for what should be one of the most exciting races of the year.”

Among the most affordable ways to enjoy the TUMS Fast Relief 500 is the $99 Family Four Pack that includes two adult tickets and two children’s tickets (12 and under). Four vouchers for The Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog® and four Pepsi products are also included in the Family Four Pack. All $99 Family 4 Pack seats are located in rows six through 14 of the Clay Earles Tower.

Children 18 and under may see all the action from rows 15-52 of the Clay Earles Tower for only $10. Fans interested in taking advantage of this, or any offer for this weekend’s TUMS Fast Relief 500, may call the ticket office at 877-722-3849. Adult prices in that section are $55.
 

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Jeff Gordon Could Be The Spoiler In The TUMS Fast Relief 500 At Martinsville Sunday

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 25, 2011) – Jeff Gordon rolls into Martinsville Speedway this weekend pretty much out of this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, but it doesn’t mean the four-time champion won’t have a huge impact on the weekend.

Actually, with his Martinsville Speedway success, Gordon could prove to be a Chase spoiler this weekend. He comes into the TUMS Fast Relief 500 10th in the standings, 82 points behind leader Carl Edwards.

But Martinsville Speedway is Gordon’s house. He has seven victories in 37 career starts, the most among active drivers at Martinsville. Gordon also owns an average start of seventh and an average finish of seventh. His has finished outside of the top10 just once in his last 17 starts at Martinsville, finishing in 20th-place in 2010.

Conversely Edwards has never won at Martinsville Speedway, has led only 14 laps on the tough half-mile oval and has just one top-five finish in his career at Martinsville.

“We’ve run well and led laps recently, we just haven’t got the win to show for it.” said Gordon. “At times during some of the races, I thought we had the best car. But it doesn’t seem we’ve had the winning combination at the end of races.”

Gordon’s 30 top-10s and laps led lead all active drivers while he is just 19 laps led shy of 3,000. He owns 11 more top-five finishes than any other driver at Martinsville with 24 since his 1993 debut.

Although his last win at Martinsville came in 2005 when he took the checkered flag in both events, winning from the 16th and 15th positions that season.

“I always go to Martinsville with a lot of confidence,” said Gordon. “It is a very challenging track, but we seem to get into a rhythm and seem to be very competitive here – no matter the cars, the tires or any other changes that we’ve had over the years.”

He is not the only one with cause to walk in with confidence this weekend, as defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson has won at Martinsville six times in his career, most recently in the spring of 2009. Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart are the only drivers in the top-five in standings with wins at the shortest track on the circuit. Harvick won the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 in the spring while Stewart has taken the checkered flag at Martinsville twice in his career (2000, 2006).

FIVE-TIME AND MISS SPRINT AT MARTINSVILLE: Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Johnson and Miss Sprint Cup will be available for questions from 10:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at The Sprint Experience in the Martinsville Speedway midway. One lucky fan will have the chance to square off against Johnson in the champion’s new video game, “Anything With An Engine,” on a big screen television.


JUST TREATS FOR KIDS AFTER KROGER 200: The Martinsville Speedway midway will be transformed into the largest trick-or-treat zone from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Dozens of souvenir rigs gathered around the midway will hand out goodies for youngsters trick-or-treating.

Under the bright red Martinsville Speedway tent, several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers, including Joey Coulter, Timothy Peters, Matt Lofton, Josh Richards and Dakoda Armstrong as well as Clay Campbell, Martinsville Speedway President, will be treating children to candy and other goodies.

The Martinsville midway and souvenir area is located across the fourth-turn are of the track, adjacent to the Bill France Tour.

THE SCHEDULE: The first on-track action at Martinsville Speedway will be a practice session for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at 11 a.m. Friday, kicking off a day full of excitement. It will be followed by practice for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and another Kroger 200 practice.

Time trials for the Kroger 200 begin at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday with qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 scheduled for 12:10 p.m.

There will be back-to-back Sprint Cup practice sessions beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Kroger 200 taking the green flag at 2 p.m.

The TUMS Fast Relief 500 is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

TICKETS: Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 begin at $25 and range to $77.

Tickets to Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 29 are $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the race, with children 12 and under admitted free.

Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  online.

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North Carolina A&T Marching Band To Perform National Anthem For TUMS Fast Relief 500



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 24, 2011) – The nationally-acclaimed North Carolina A&T marching band will perform in prerace prior to Sunday’s TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway and perform a traditional version of the National Anthem.

The Blue & Gold Marching Machine, with more than 350 members, consistently receives national recognition and are among those to garner a coveted spot in the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

“We are excited to have the Blue & Gold Marching Machine here for the TUMS Fast Relief 500. I have seen them perform and they put on a great show,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “Their half-mile march around Martinsville Speedway is certainly going to be exciting. I think everyone will enjoy their traditional version of the National Anthem.”

Fans at Martinsville Speedway will witness the unique “chair step” high-step marching style the Blue & Gold Marching Machine utilizes when the band performs at noon, entering the track through the fourth-turn cross-over gate and marching clockwise around the track to the start-finish line.

North Carolina A&T is a land-grant university located in Greensboro, NC and is the largest publicly funded historically black college in the state of North Carolina.

ROCKIN’ IN PRE-RACE: FATZ, a band that has rocked Southside Virginia for two decades, will be rockin’ on the start-finish line prior to the TUMS Fast Relief 500 Sunday.

The band, which plays a blend of classic and southern rock with a dash of country thrown in, will perform on the pre-race stage from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Sunday.

Although a local group, they have played on plenty of big stages, opening for acts like Delbert McClinton, Aaron Tippin and Montgomery Gentry.

THE SCHEDULE: The first on-track action at Martinsville Speedway will be a practice session for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at 11 a.m. Friday, kicking off a day full of excitement. It will be followed by practice for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and another Kroger 200 practice.

Time trials for the Kroger 200 begin at 10:40 a.m. on Saturday with qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 scheduled for 12:10 p.m.

There will be back-to-back Sprint Cup practice sessions beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the Kroger 200 taking the green flag at 2 p.m.

The TUMS Fast Relief 500 is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

TICKETS: Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 begin at $25 and range to $77.

Tickets to Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 29 are $30 in advance, $35 on the day of the race, with children 12 and under admitted free.

Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  online. 

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Campers From Across The Country Filling Martinsville Speedway Campground



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 23, 2011) – From neighboring towns and faraway states, the camping crowd has begun to roll into Martinsville Speedway for the upcoming TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend.

The speedway’s campground opened for campers early Saturday morning and by mid-afternoon Sunday, the rolling hillsides were starting to fill with recreational vehicles.

After spending six years in Anchorage, Alaska, without much of an opportunity to attend a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, Master Sergeant Derek Heavener is among many adding Martinsville Speedway to the list of races they have attended.

In the midst of a move from Fort Bragg, N.C., to Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., where he will begin his role as an ROTC instructor, Heavener and his family will experience Martinsville’s historic half-mile for the first time.

Sunday’s TUMS Fast Relief 500 is not the focus of their stay. Camping is equally important to Heavener.

“They’re all good people,” Heavener said of the campers surrounding him. “The race is the sidebar to a great camping environment where you can let your kids run around without worrying.”

Heavener believes there is no need to worry as your neighbors will watch out for you and your kids. Neighbors, he says you may have just met, but whom you will get to know quite well as the week goes on.

In another section of the campground, a couple from Dayton, Ohio, have kept Martinsville as their vacation spot for the last seven or eight years. The specific campsite has changed over time, but electing to drive eight hours to Martinsville has not. That decision is fueled by the fact that the cost to camp has remained affordable and the friendliness of their neighbors as they continue to choose Martinsville over tracks closer to their hometown.

For the past five years, the Buchanan family has had the same few campsites and for the first time they arrived on Sunday. They have attended other races and return to Martinsville for their family reunion with members of the clan hailing from Memphis, Tenn., outside Indianapolis, Ind., and nearby Harrisonburg annually.

“Everyone is your friend,” Keith Buchanan said. “It is the old-school, old-time fans that make this place what it is.”

Emphasizing an atmosphere that hails to the early days of NASCAR, the Buchanan family relishes the relaxing environment and the opportunity to catch up with family.

Perhaps the earliest members of the family to arrive were Jack and Jim, who have been camping at Martinsville together for the past 17 years. It has been awhile since they have actually attended the race though, electing to take advantage of technology and enjoy all the action from the comfort of their ever-evolving campsite set up.

With Halloween around the corner, several have brought enough candy to supply the children of the campground while Jack and Jim add dog treats to their supplies. They think that is how they have been able to establish such lasting relationships that are renewed on an annual basis.

Race-week excitement ramps up at Martinsville Speedway Friday when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars and the Camping World Truck Series trucks take to the track for a full day of practice.

Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is set for Oct. 29 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 is on October 30.

Good seats remain for all events and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

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No Tricks, Just Treats For Kids Saturday At Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 22, 2011) – Halloween is a kids’ holiday and Saturday youngsters will get to celebrate it in a big way at Martinsville Speedway.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, the Martinsville Speedway midway will be transformed into the largest trick or treat zone around. And for the record, it will be all treat and no trick.

The dozens of souvenir rigs gathered around the midway will be open handing out goodies for youngsters trick or treating.

And under the bright red Martinsville Speedway tent, several NASCAR Camping World Truck Series drivers along with Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell, will be treating the kids to candy and other goodies.

“Once we found out our race weekend was going to be Halloween weekend, we knew we would need to do something to all the kids we have coming out to the Kroger 200,” said Campbell. “We always have a lot of youngsters at that race because of our Read Your Way to the Race program, and of course children 18 and under get in free.”

Martinsville’s midway and souvenir area is located across from the fourth-turn area of the track, adjacent to the Bill France Tower.

MORE KIDS’ STUFF: One section of Martinsville Speedway’s display area has again been declared a “Kids Zone” for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend with games, souvenirs and food aimed at the younger crowd.

The concession items in the Kids Zone will not only be kid favorites, but kid priced. There will be chicken nuggets, hot dogs, cotton candy, chips, fruit cups and Capri Sun juice boxes. Nothing will be over $2.

There will be an inflatable bouncy house for the youngsters to play in and there will also be plenty of youth oriented souvenirs.

And on Sunday, there will be a second inflatable bouncy house, this one inside the track, above the second-turn, next to the Clay Earles Tower.

ON-TRACK ACTION: The action will be wide open Friday with practice pretty much all day long for both the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 200. The trucks kick things off with an 80-minute practice session at 11 a.m., followed by a 90-minute Sprint Cup session at 12:30. The trucks head out for their final practice of the weekend at 2:10 p.m. with Sprint Cup happy hour starting at 3:30 p.m.

Qualifying for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. Saturday with TUMS Fast Relief 500 time trials set for 12:10 p.m. The Kroger 200 will take the green flag at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The TUMS Fast Relief 500 will roll off at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. each day.

TICKETS: Good seats remain for all three days of racing at Martinsville Speedway.

Friday’s tickets are just $10 while tickets for the Kroger 200 are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. Tickets for Sunday’s TUMS Fast Relief 500 range from $25 to $77.

Tickets for all three days may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX, visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  or by coming to the Martinsville Speedway ticket office. The ticket office is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Johnson Looking Forward To Martinsville Return, TUMS Fast Relief 500



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 21, 2011) – Jimmie Johnson is in an unaccustomed position a week before the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Not only is he not leading the NASCAR Sprint Cup points, there are six other drivers between him and leader Carl Edwards.

But he couldn’t think of any place he’d rather be headed 35 points behind the leader than Martinsville Speedway. It may not be home to the five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion, but it’s certainly a comfort zone.

He has six wins on the .526-mile oval, second only to Jeff Gordon, with seven wins, among active drivers.

“I’m excited (to get to Martinsville). I’ve always been able to count on Martinsville and a good run here in the fall,” Johnson said during a media stop at Martinsville Speedway Thursday. “It’s been very important for our championship hopes.

“And the hole we are in from our crash at Charlotte, we need good tracks and we have got good tracks coming up. We’re excited to be coming back to Martinsville.”

Johnson has done more than just win races at Martinsville; he’s dominated. He is among the top three at Martinsville in almost every statistical category NASCAR has kept the past six years.

His average finish of 3.8 leads all drivers as does his driver rating of 149. He has led 22.2 percent of all laps run at Martinsville in the past six years, leading more laps than anyone else during the period.

All of that said, though, Johnson is mired in his longest winless streak at Martinsville, with his last win coming in the spring of 2009. Since then Denny Hamlin has won three in a row and Kevin Harvick won last spring.

“Running up front consistently is the key to the championship and we haven’t done a very good job of that in this Chase,” said Johnson. “We have to get back to top threes, top fives and this is a track where we can do that. We haven’t won here in a bit and I hope to change that.

“There are guys who have figured this track out. Denny Hamlin is no slouch here. Kevin Harvick has always been right on the brink of winning here and he has won. It’s a great track for Jeff Gordon. We know we’ll be in the mix and hopefully we’ll be the one on the front stretch winning that awesome (grandfather clock) trophy.”

Race-week excitement ramps up at Martinsville Speedway Friday when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars and the Camping World Truck Series trucks take to the track for a full day of practice.

Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is set for Oct. 29 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 is on October 30.

Good seats remain for all events and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

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Five-Time Champ Johnson Takes Time Off To Visit Classroom, Help Children Release Trout



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 20, 2011) – Jimmie Johnson has got a lot on his mind these days, like how to get back in position to capture his sixth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup championship with only five races left in the season.

But Thursday morning he blocked all of that out and went back to the classroom with about 40 fifth graders at Rich Acres Elementary School to learn about the unique Trout in the Classroom program that several schools in the Martinsville area host. Later he and the students traveled to the banks of the Smith River to release the trout into the wild.

“Today was a very good learning experience for me. It was also a lot of fun to be with the students and go to the school and stand in the stream and release the trout,” said Johnson.

Rich Acres Elementary School is only about three miles from Martinsville Speedway, where Johnson has won six NASCAR Sprint Cup races. His trip Thursday was part of an effort to help promote the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville on October 30. And while it was officially a day of work for the five-time champion, he had a lot of fun.

He spent time in the classroom with youngsters in the Trout in the Classroom program learning how they had raised the trout they eventually released from eggs to release size, about two inches in length. From organizers of the program, he learned how important the curriculum was for the community, students and the school.

And once the group had travelled to Smith River, Johnson pulled on a pair of borrowed boots and waded out into the chilly water with the youngsters to help release about 50 trout.

“I had a great time with the trout release program today and learning about it,” said Johnson. “I think it’s very important for school systems to find a way to engage the students and find things that interest them and have those things a part of the classroom. I’m a huge fan of what I’ve seen today.”

Johnson, who is eighth in the Chase for the Sprint Cup points, did find time to talk about racing, too. He admits his success at Martinsville Speedway could help him drive his way back into Chase contention. And he divulged at least part of the secret to his Martinsville success.

“I had a decent race my first time here, but the next race I was lapped by Tony Stewart early,” recalled Johnson. “After he lapped me, I started following him and something clicked: how he drove the track, how he used the brakes, how he was getting the car into position in the center of the turn, how he was using the throttle up off the corner.

“It all clicked and I followed him. I stayed on his bumper and followed him from then on and got my lap back. I’ve run well from that point on and found out how to win here. I have to give credit to Tony indirectly for showing me the way around the track after he lapped me.”

Johnson will be able to put that knowledge to work on October 28 when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars and the Camping World Truck Series trucks take to the track for a full day of practice.

Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is set for Oct. 29 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 is on October 30.

Good seats remain for all events and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
 

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Infamous Martinsville Speedway Curbs Go Pink For Breast Care Awareness Month



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 18, 2011) – The unique four-inch high curbs guarding the inside of the turns at Martinsville Speedway have drawn the anger of almost every driver who has competed at this historic track.

But for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend, the curbs will show a softer side. They have been painted pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Four ladies involved with the ”Ladies First” Martinsville and Henry County Breast Health Initiative helped track crews paint the curbs pink Tuesday morning. Two of the guest painters are breast cancer survivors.

“We hope this small effort on our part will help draw some attention to a cause that’s so important,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “All of us know someone that has been touched by breast cancer. We all need to do anything we can do to help bring attention to the cause.”

“Martinsville Speedway continues to demonstrate their concern, involvement and commitment to our local community,” said Rita Winbush, project director of the “Ladies First” MHC Community Breast Health Initiative.

“By painting the curbs pink, they bring attention to not only a national program like the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure but also to local programs like our “Ladies First” MHC Community Breast Health Initiative. We commend NASCAR and Martinsville Speedway for all they do to help raise breast cancer awareness throughout the year.”

The newly-painted curbs will be unveiled to the public for the first time on NASCAR Sprint Cup and Truck Series Practice Day on Friday, October 28. They will get their first real test on Saturday, October 29 with Farm Bureau Pole Day and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. And they will be center stage of the racing world on Sunday, October 30 for the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

Tickets for all three days of racing are available and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com. 
 

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Great Tickets At Great Prices For TUMS Fast Relief 500 At Martinsville



MARTINSVILLE, VA (October 17, 2011) – The TUMS Fast Relief 500 is just around the corner, but if you haven't gotten your tickets yet, don't worry. You've still got plenty of time left.

Good seats for the TUMS Fast Relief 500, the seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, remain in most areas of the grandstands.

“If you're still looking for a ticket to the TUMS Fast Relief 500, I'm sure we've got one you'll enjoy, because there aren't any bad seats here,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “It’s been such a great season overall, and so far, The Chase has been amazing. As late as our race is in The Chase this year, it could go a long way to determining the champion.

“And everyone knows how unpredictable things can be here. With all the action, all the lead changes we have, it’s anybody’s guess as to who is going to win.”

Any ticket to the TUMS Fast Relief 500 will be a ticket to excitement. In last fall’s race there were 24 lead changes among 13 drivers and 15 caution periods. In this spring’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 there were a record-setting 31 lead changes.

Fans won’t need a banker to help them to purchase tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500, either. Ticket prices are all very affordable.

Here are some of the amazing Martinsville ticket and package prices:

· Seats in the Clay Earles Tower overlooking the second turn are $55.

· Children’s tickets, ages 18 and under, in the Clay Earles Tower are only $10 when purchased with an adult ticket, rows 15-52.

· All seats in Bill France Tower are $40.

· Seats in the Sprint Tower are $65.



· Family 4 Pack, includes 2 adult tickets, 2 children tickets, 18 and under, vouchers for 4 hot dogs and 4 Pepsi products, all for just $99.

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race may be purchased by calling 877.722.3849 (877.RACE.TIX) or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  online.
 

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Martinsville Speedway Could Provide Harvick The Boost He Needs In Chase for Sprint Cup



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 11, 2011) – With one Martinsville Speedway victory already in his pocket this season, Kevin Harvick can’t wait to get back to the historic Virginia track in three weeks.

In fact, the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 30 could very well be the missing piece he needs to clinch his first NASCAR Sprint Cup championship.

“I think that is going to be one of the hurdles we have to overcome … to win a race,” Harvick said Tuesday during a media event in advance of the TUMS 500. Harvick is currently second in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings, one point behind Carl Edwards.

“I really don’t think you will be able to win the championship without winning at least one race. I might be wrong, but looking at the past, I think you are going to have to win at least one.”

And that’s why Harvick is happy over his upcoming trip to Martinsville Speedway. He won the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 in April and was third in last fall’s TUMS Fast Relief 500. Even though that third-place finish was his first top five in a Sprint Cup race at Martinsville, he has nine top 10 finishes in his 19 Martinsville starts.

“The first several years there (Martinsville), we didn’t get a lot of the finishes we probably deserved, whether it was a mistake we made on the race track or just dumb luck,” said Harvick, who has also won at Martinsville in both the NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck series. “But the last couple of years we’ve gotten the good finishes and our cars have run fast and to finally get that check mark in the win box in the spring was important for us.”

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 30, the Farm Bureau Insurance Pole Day and Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, October 29 and the NASCAR practice day on Friday, October 28 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
 

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Pulliam Bumps Way To Victory In Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Oct. 9, 2011) – At a track known for wild finishes, Sunday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 produced one of the wildest ever in the 64-year history of Martinsville Speedway.

In a race filled with 17 caution periods, a next-to-the-last-lap bumping incident between eventual winner Lee Pulliam and leader Matt McCall had fans on their feet and tempers running wild in the pits. Pulliam made contact with McCall as they went into Turn 3 to make the pass and take home the $25,000 first-place check and the legendary grandfather clock trophy.

McCall retaliated by spinning Pulliam in the third turn on the cool-down lap after the race.

"This is breathtaking and the biggest win of my career," Pulliam said. "I can't think of a bigger stage to be on and get it (win). This is our Daytona 500."

Pulliam, who finished third in the final NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national point standings, made the pass after running in the top five during the entire race.

“He got into me going into Turn 1 on the final restart and I just paid him back going into Turn 3,” Pulliam said of the finish.

Brandon Butler took advantage of the action up front to finish second and Stacy Puryear finished third. Dexter Canipe Jr. rebounded from an earlier spin to come home fourth. McCall was able to save his car and collect a fifth-place showing.

McCall visited the post-race stage to have a few words with Pulliam.

“I went up to him and told him I will see him around,” McCall said. “I have got too much going for me on my other career in racing but I will remember this and I will see him again.”

Davin Scites finished sixth and Greg Edwards seventh. Jeb Burton finished an impressive eighth, followed by Coleman Pressley and Mike Darne.

Philip Morris, the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Champion and defending race winner, battled mechanical issues all day after winning the pole in Saturday's qualifying and finished a disappointing 22.

Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway on October 28-30 with the Tums Fast Relief 500 weekend.

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 are on sale and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com  online.

 

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Morris Keeps Hot Streak Alive With Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Pole Victory



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 8, 2011) – Philip Morris keeps finding a way to outdo himself.

The veteran Virginia driver set a track record Saturday in qualifying for Sunday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway, adding to a season of amazing success, which includes 20 victories, a track championship and his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship.

“This year has been surreal,” said Morris, who is also the defending Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 champion. “It has been a blur of victories.”

There was never much doubt Saturday that Morris was going to be the class of qualifying after he led both morning practice sessions.

Morris toured the .526-mile Martinsville oval in 20.165 seconds (93.905 mph) to shatter the old Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Late Model Stock car record of 20.216 seconds (93.668) set by Davin Scites in 2008. By winning the pole, Morris picked up the $1,000 Sparks Oil Pole Award.

“I had been looking for that lap all day long,” Morris said of his qualifying lap. “A lot of preparation went into the car. I drove way deep in the corner and it felt a little like the pole and when I looked up and saw it on the scoreboard, I was the happiest guy in Martinsville.”

Matt McCall was fairly happy, too, nailing down the second starting position with a lap of 20.347 seconds (93.065).

“We got waxed by two-tenths of a second,” McCall said chuckling. “We had a good lap, but Philip had an awesome lap.”

Last year’s pole winner, Lee Pulliam, earned the third starting spot (20.365, 92.983 mph) followed by Scites (20.381, 92.910) and Kenny Forbes (20.397, 92.937).

The top five qualifiers were in Chevrolets.

Rounding out the top 10 were B.J. Mackey, Brandon Butler, former winner Frank Deiny Jr., Josh Berry and Ryan Reed.

Only the top 22 positions for Sunday’s 42-car field were determined in Saturday’s qualifying. The remaining 20 spots will be filled through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The top five finishers from each heat race transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300.

Fan gates will open at 9 a.m. Sunday.

 

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Morris Fastest In Practice For Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 At Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 7, 2011) – Even though it was just practice, Philip Morris continued his torrid season Friday afternoon, leading two practice sessions for Sunday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

Morris, who recently claimed his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship, never relinquished the top of the leader board through two hours of practice Friday afternoon. His time of 20.245 seconds (93.534 mph) around the .526-mile oval led the more than 80 Late Model Stock Car competitors who practiced Friday.

Even with a practice time that was very close to Davin Scites’ track record of 20.216 (93.668 mph), Morris said his team was still searching for a little more speed.

“We need maybe two more practices,” said Morris, who is the defending champion of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Late Model Stock Car race. “There’s a lot of sliding going on, not just me, but I think a lot of the guys are sliding quite a bid. I think we are looking for a little more grip, a little more control.

Morris will get that chance Saturday morning when the track opens at 9 a.m. for two hours of practice before time trials begin at 2 p.m.

Matt McCall of Denver, NC, was second fastest on the day at 20.320, followed by track-record holder Scites at 20.332. B.J. Mackey of Rock Hill, SC, was fourth fastest at 20.377, while former national champion Peyton Sellers of Danville was fifth on the day at 20.381.

Practice and time trials are scheduled for Saturday. Only the fastest 22 cars will make the field through qualifying with the remainder of the 42-car field decided through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. The top five finishers from each heat race will transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300. Tickets for qualifying Saturday are $5. Tickets for qualifying day are on sale at the ticket office only.

Fan gates will open at 9 a.m. both days. Tickets for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 may be ordered by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
 
 

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Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Kicks Off With On-Track Autograph Session



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 5, 2011) – It may not be a world record, but Martinsville Speedway will be hosting a pretty large autograph session Sunday morning prior to the running of the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300.

And it’s not an ordinary, sitting-behind-a-table autograph session. It will held be on the front stretch of the historic half-mile oval, and every driver, somewhere between 85 and 100, will be standing beside their cars, greeting fans and signing autographs.

“We tried this for the first time before last year’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 and it was an amazing success,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “An hour before the first heat race, the front stretch looked like rush hour in Los Angeles, just covered up with cars and people.

“Ever since drivers and fans alike have told us how much they enjoyed it so it’s something we had to do again. It should be a lot of fun for everyone.”

The flag-stand gate on the front stretch will be opened at 11:30 Sunday morning to allow fans onto the track for the autograph session. Drivers will be lined up along the inside front-stretch wall to sign autographs, pose for photographs and chat with fans. The track will be cleared at 12:15 in time for the start of the first 25-lap heat race, which will start at 12:30 p.m.

BUSY WEEKEND: The infield will start filling with haulers on Thursday as teams have the opportunity to get their rigs parked and tires purchased and mounted.

The official business begins Friday morning when the nearly 100 cars will have to go through inspection, which is a long and tedious process. As soon as all cars have finished the inspection process, practice will begin. In past years, cars have been on the track by 3 p.m. on Friday.

Practice and time trials are scheduled for Saturday, October 8. Only the fastest 22 cars will make the field through qualifying with the remainder of the 42-car field filled through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. The top five finishers from each heat race will transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on October 9. Tickets for qualifying on October 8 are $5. Tickets for qualifying day are on sale at the ticket office only. Admission to Friday’s practice session is free.

 

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Numbers Don’t Lie: Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Field Full Of Winners



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 3, 2011) – Just how solid is the field for this Sunday’s Virginia is for Racing 300 Late Model Stock car race at Martinsville Speedway?

Well, as the old saying goes, the numbers don’t lie.

Philip Morris, the defending event winner, and the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion is entered. So is Lee Pulliam, who finished third in the final NWAAS national standings and C.E. Falk, who finished fourth.

Frank Deiny Jr. (ninth) and Nate Monteith (10) give the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 entry list two more members of the national top 10. That means half of the top 10 national finalists are entered, and that’s with only about half of the anticipated entry forms received so far.

“The competition level here week in and week out is so much more advanced than what I see in other parts of the country,” Morris said after a recent test session “We know we can expect the best competition anywhere right here at Martinsville Speedway next week.”

The number of total wins this season from the 50 or so entries received so far is staggering, an amazing 147. Thirty of the drivers entered so far have at least one win apiece and six are in double digits. Roughly 100 entrants are expected by the weekend.

Four-time national champion Morris leads the way with 20 wins, with 19 coming at South Boston Speedway and one at Motor Mile Speedway. Pulliam piled up a track-record 16 wins at Motor Mile Speedway and a total of 17 overall while Anthony Anders had 15 victories at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.

Falk and B.J. Mackey each totaled 11 wins on the season, Falk racing primarily at Langley Speedway and Mackey at Caraway Speedway. Nate Monteith was right behind with 10 wins at Kingsport Speedway.

Practice and time trials are scheduled for Saturday, October 8. Only the fastest 22 cars will make the field through qualifying with the remainder of the 42-car field filled through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. The top five finishers from each heat race will transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on October 9. Tickets for qualifying on October 8 are $5. Tickets for qualifying day are on sale at the ticket office only.

Fan gates will open at 9 a.m. on October 8 and 9. Tickets for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 may be ordered by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
 

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Morris Has Plenty Motivation To Repeat As Virginia is for Racing Lovers Champion



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 29, 2011) – Philip Morris is on top of the world. He’s just won his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship. He’s the defending champion for next Sunday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

But one thing is for certain, the veteran Virginia driver refuses to become over confident, cocky or lazy. It’s all business all the time for Morris.

“If you start relishing what you’ve done and you get satisfied, well, that’s all you are ever going to do,” said the 46-year-old Morris, who arguably has been the top weekly racer in the country for more than a decade.

“The guys I race with now, all the guys that are stepping up and breaking records, if you get satisfied then they are going to leave you behind. I don’t want to look back at what I’ve done until I hang the helmet up.”

He’s won hundreds of races, has those four national championship trophies and is one of only two drivers to have won the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 twice. But motivation is not a problem headed into next Sunday’s race, the biggest NASCAR Late Model Stock car race in the nation.

“I really didn’t want to bring it up, but I’ve never won this race (the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300) the same year as winning the national championship and I’ve been here three other times in that situation,” said Morris. “The fact that I didn’t doesn’t take away from those years, but how much better would it be than to be here celebrating winning a national championship and this race.”

Morris certainly has to be the favorite headed into the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300. In addition to everything else he’s done this year, his Clarence’s Steakhouse Chevrolet was the fastest car in an open practice session for the race last week. But again, he downplays his practice results and plays up the quality of competition he faces.

“The competition level here week in and week out is so much more advance than what I see in other parts of the country. That’s the headline I see here … Virginia drivers are coming to the front,” Morris said, referring to the fact that drivers from two other Virginia tracks, Lee Pulliam at Motor Mile Speedway and C.E. Falk at Langley Raceway finished in the top five in the national standings.

“I’m certainly going to be looking at my competition from this season in the race, but if history has anything to do with this race, you’d better be watching out for the guy you’re not looking for because there’s always somebody that’s going to step up. I’ve lost to so many excellent drivers here. I’ll try to take what I’ve learned from my losses and try to be that person who does a little something extraordinary in the race.”

Morris and about 90 other drivers will roll into Martinsville Speedway on Friday for a day of inspection and practice. Practice will begin late in the afternoon after inspection is completed. The grandstands are open at no charge on Friday.

Practice and time trials are scheduled for Saturday, October 8. Only the fastest 22 cars will make the field through qualifying with the remainder of the 42-car field filled through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. The top five finishers from each heat race will transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on October 9. Tickets for qualifying on October 8 are $5. Tickets for qualifying day are on sale at the ticket office only.

Fan gates will open at 9 a.m. on October 8 and 9. Tickets for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 may be ordered by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

 

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Defending Champion Morris Fastest In Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Test At Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 28, 2011) – Philip Morris was back at the front of the field at Martinsville Speedway Wednesday, but to hear the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 defending champion talk, you wouldn’t know it.

Morris, who is from Ruckersville, was consistently at the top of the leader board Wednesday in an open test session for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race, which is scheduled for October 9.

Morris’ fast lap of 20.478 seconds (92.470 mph) around the .526-mile oval was a tick better than Wayne Ramsey, who was second fastest on the day at 20.493 seconds (92.402 mph).

“We’ve got to make this car handle a little better than it is right now,” said Morris, who won last fall’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300, and who more recently claimed his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship.

“It (the car) is average I feel like. We’ve got to make it turn a little bit better. We’ve got to get all the data we can from today, download it over the next couple of days and come up with something magical for the race I hope.”

Rounding out the top five in Wednesday’s test, which drew 87 cars from a dozen states, was Josh Berry of Mooresville, NC, in third, B.J. Mackey of Rock Hill, SC, fourth, and Danny Edwards of Virginia Beach fifth.

Even though Ramsey was second fastest on the day, the Amherst driver probably won’t be in the field on Oct. 9. He was subbing for Justin Johnson, who couldn’t be at the track for Wednesday’s test.

The teams will return to Martinsville Speedway on Friday, October 7 for inspection and practice. Practice and time trials are scheduled for Saturday, October 8. Only the fastest 22 cars will make the field through qualifying with the remainder of the 42-car field filled through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. The top five finishers from each heat race will transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on October 9. Tickets for qualifying on October 8 are $5. Tickets for qualifying day are on sale at the ticket office only.

Fan gates will open at 9 a.m. on October 8 and 9. Tickets for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 may be ordered by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

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Brannock Named Director Of Operations At Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 27, 2011) – Matthew Brannock, a 12-year veteran of the Virginia State Police, has been named Director of Operations for Martinsville Speedway.

Brannock, a Ridgeway native who grew up just a few miles from Martinsville Speedway, will begin his duties immediately.

“We feel very fortunate to land someone of Matt’s caliber, someone with his experience and knowledge,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “He has been involved with many big events in his duties with the State Police, so he understands what goes into putting on one of our races. And he is from our area, so he also knows our community and that is important for us.”

Brannock, 36, is the speedway’s first full-time Director of Operations in its 65-year history.

Brannock was on the scene during the April 16, 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech, and appeared in an iconic photograph helping three Blacksburg police officers carry a wounded Virginia Tech student from the scene. The photo was distributed to news outlets worldwide.

More recently, Brannock was wounded in a shoot-out with a murder suspect after a high-speed chase on Interstate 81 near Roanoke this past Memorial Day weekend.

Prior to his service with the Virginia State Police, Brannock spent four years as a Law-Enforcement Specialist with the United States Air Force. During his military service, Brannock was part of an Air Base Ground Defense team that was dispatched to Kuwait where he spent six months protecting the Kuwait City International Airport as part of a six-man fire team.

Brannock, a 1993 graduate of Magna Vista High School in Ridgeway, is married and has two children.

 

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Martinsville Speedway’s 2012 Sprint Cup Schedule Carbon Copy Of 2011

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 19, 2011) – Martinsville Speedway’s 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule will have a familiar look to it.

Martinsville’s two 2012 Sprint Cup races will fall on the same weekends as they did in 2011. The Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 is scheduled for April 1 while the TUMS Fast Relief 500 will be on October 28.

“The TUMS Fast Relief 500 will again be a key part of the Chase. It’s the only short track in the Chase, and that makes it one of the most exciting in the Chase,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “The Goody’s Fast Relief 500 falls right when fans are really getting excited about the new season. From a fans perspective, these are really great slots in the schedule.”

The Goody’s Fast Relief 500 will be the sixth race of the season while the TUMS Fast Relief 500 will be the seventh race in the NASCAR Chase for Sprint Cup.

Again in 2012, both of Martinsville’s Sprint Cup races will be accompanied by a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. The Kroger 250 will be held on Saturday, March 31, the day before the Goody’s’ Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 200 will be held on Saturday, October 27, the day before the TUMS Fast Relief 500.

There is still plenty of action left at Martinsville Speedway this season with the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 30 and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and Farm Bureau Insurance Qualifying Day on October 29.

Tickets for both days may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martinsville Speedway Unveils New Ticket Office Hours



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Sept. 15, 2011) – Martinsville Speedway’s ticket office is expanding its hours so fans will have plenty of time to purchase tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend, which is just six weeks away.

The ticket office will extend its hours to Saturdays, beginning on Sept. 17 and to Sundays starting on Oct. 16. Saturday hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 17, 24 and Oct. 1. Saturday hours will expand to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 15 and 22.

Sunday hours will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 16 and 23.

The ticket office will be open all weekend for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Late Model Stock weekend on Oct. 8-9 and the entire TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend.

“We know a lot of people like to come out and go into the grandstands and pick their seats out and that can be hard to do during the week,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “With the extra hours on Saturdays and Sundays, it will give anyone the chance to come out, walk around the grandstands and pick out the seats they want.

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 30, the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race and Farm Bureau Pole Day on Saturday, October 29 and the NASCAR practice day on Friday, October 28 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Harvick Finds Plenty Of NASCAR Fans On Virginia Tech Campus



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 13, 2011) – On a campus where star athletes are the norm, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick turned some heads Tuesday.

Harvick, who won the NASCAR Sprint Cup regular-season finale at Richmond International Raceway Saturday night, spent several hours at Virginia Tech Tuesday as part of a media event with Martinsville Speedway. He toured the football facility and visited with the 13th-ranked Hokies’ coaching staff and team members.

And everywhere he went, people were interested. When he dropped in on the weekly coaches’ meeting, head coach Frank Beamer literally welcomed him with open arms. The Tech coaching staff listened intently as Beamer and Harvick talked racing.

“We got back in time Saturday night (after a17-10 road win over East Carolina University) to watch the end of your race,” Beamer said to Harvick as they were shaking hands. “That was exciting stuff. I know NASCAR and I know when Kevin Harvick gets out front, it’s hard to get by him.”

A little later Harvick was introduced to Josh Oglesby, the Tech tailback who scored both of the Hokies’ touchdowns Saturday. Oglesby immediately said: “great win Saturday night, sir.”

Harvick sat with Oglesby, cornerback Chris Hill, linebacker Bruce Taylor, and defensive tackle Derrick Hopkins during lunch. The players peppered him with questions about racing and what it took to be a championship caliber driver.

While players and coaches were taken with Harvick, who has four wins this season, he was equally impressed with what he saw during his first trip to Virginia Tech.

“For me, I’ve learned a lot about Virginia Tech football today and about Virginia Tech,” said Harvick. “For me, not going to college, being able to see these facilities and everything that goes into it … this is a first-class facility and there are a lot of people to make it go round.

“I’ve seen today there are a lot of similarities to making a race team go around and a football team go around. It takes good people. It takes dedication and it takes determination to do what you have to do.”

Before the day was done, Harvick, Beamer and Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell swapped memorabilia. Harvick presented Beamer with an autographed Budweiser racing helmet. Beamer gave Harvick a Virginia Tech football jersey, personalized with Harvick’s name and car number. And Campbell gave Beamer, a regular at Martinsville Speedway races, a pair of lifetime suite passes.

Harvick and the rest of the Sprint Cup drivers return to Martinsville Speedway on October 30 for the running of the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Tickets are on sale and may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell Receives Chamber’s Most Prestigious Award



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 8, 2011) – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell was presented with the Heck Ford Award by the Martinsville and Henry County Chamber of Commerce Thursday night.

The Heck Ford Award is the most prestigious award given by the M-HC Chamber and it is not given on an annual basis, but only when it is deemed deserving. The award is given in memory of Ford, who was in the real estate business in Martinsville from 1908 until 1955 and who was a "one-man chamber" long before the business group was organized.

The crowd of more than 250 people attending the dinner gave Campbell a standing ovation.

“I really don’t know what to say,” an emotional Campbell said as he accepted the award. “I remember when I was on the chamber board, and I would look at the community leaders who had received the Heck Ford Award and never in a million years did I think I could possibly be up here getting this award. This is a very special night for me.”

“The Heck Ford Award is our highest honor, given to a person who has shown leadership, commitment and dedication toward this region’s economic well being,” said Amanda Witt, president of the M-HC Chamber of Commerce. “There is no one more deserving of this award than Clay. He has been an integral part of this community for decades and Clay’s commitment to Martinsville-Henry County and his charitable involvement and contributions, demonstrate clearly that he is well deserving of this prestigious award.”

In its decision to present Campbell with the award, the Chamber considered his body-of-work in supporting the area’s economic growth, including his long-time partnership with and support of the Chamber and CPEG (Chamber Partnership for Economic Growth), his financial support of CPEG during the formation of the Economic Development Corporation, the economic impact of Martinsville Speedway on the area and the entire Commonwealth. His life-long community service in the area, including the annual Fourth of July Celebration, Martinsville Speedway’s annual toy drive, the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation, and many other community events the Speedway has hosted over the years.

Campbell has been president of Martinsville Speedway since 1988, assuming the role held by his grandfather, H. Clay Earles, the founder of Martinsville Speedway. He began working at the track fresh out of high school in 1978 and for a decade compiled work experience in every department.

He is a member of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership board of directors, a board member of CPEG, a board member of the W.E. Skelton 4-H Conference Center, a member of the Blue Ridge Airport Authority Board of Directors and a member of the National Stock Car Racing Commission.

He is a past president of the Martinsville YMCA board of directors and has served on the Patrick Henry Community College Foundation board of directors and the New College Institute board of directors.

He has been a licensed pilot for more than 25 years and is certified multi-engine and jet, instrument rated.

Not only does he oversee a racing facility, he races stock cars. He is running the entire NASCAR K&N Pro Series East tour this season and has been racing stock cars at weekly tracks for two decades.

 

 

 

Annual Blood Drive Set For September 16 At Martinsville Speedway



MARTINSVILLE, Va. (Sept. 2, 2011) -- Race fans will be able to help save lives and make their own racing experience even better through an American Red Cross blood drive at Martinsville Speedway on September 16.

The American Red Cross will be set up in the infield of Martinsville Speedway from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on September 16.

Anyone registering to donate a pint of blood will receive a certificate for a free ticket to the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Truck Series Practice Day on October 28. The TUMS Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race is scheduled for October 30.

“We know how NASCAR fans give back to their communities and this is just another great opportunity for folks to help their community,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “It’s one of those things we love to be involved with. I know many of our employees will be rolling up their sleeves and we expect many other folks to help out, too.”

To make an appointment, call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE. While appointments are suggested, non-scheduled donors will be accepted on the day of the drive.

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 30, the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, October 29 and the NASCAR practice day on Friday, October 28 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.
 

2011 Schedule

October 8: Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Pole Day
October 9: Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Late Model Stock race

October 28: Cup and Truck Practice Day

October 29: Cup and Truck Qualifying and Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race

October 30: TUMS Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race

 

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TICKETS & EVENTS     MULTIMEDIA     TRACK NEWS     SUBSCRIBE           Upcoming Events         October 30, 2011 TUMS Fast Relief 500 Weekend                                                     GET TICKETS                                                         October 29, 2011 Sprint Cup and Truck Qualifying Kroger 200 NCWTS                                                     GET TICKETS                                                         October 9, 2011 Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300                                                     GET TICKETS                                                           Track Trivia                 What is the record for most lead changes in a Sprint Cup race and when did it occur? Click to answer       Johnson, Earnhart Set For Star-Studded Fan Zone Five-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will make an appearance in the Martinsville Speedway Fan Zone before the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 30. Full Story         More Track Headlines     Martinsville Speedway Turned Into Tire Test Lab For two straight days, Martinsville Speedway was turned into a half-mile laboratory and Jeff Burton was happy to be right in the middle of the experiment. Full Story     Buy Four Tickets, Get Four Passes To Autograph Session Getting an autograph from a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver will be much easier for fans purchasing four tickets in the Sprint Tower for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 30. Full Story     Open Practices Set For Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300 What began as an experiment last year for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 will be standard operating procedure in 2011. Full Story               Racing News Powered by:             Danica Making Move To NASCAR In 2012   Danica Patrick officially announced she will run a full NASCAR Nationwide Series season for JR Motorsports as well as a partial Sprint Cup program for Stewart-Haas Racing in 2012. Full Story         More News | Join The Community | MRN Broadcast Schedule       Tickets: 877.RACE.TIX

Update Your Profile   TICKETS & EVENTS     MULTIMEDIA     TRACK NEWS     SUBSCRIBE                         Upcoming Events                 October 30, 2011 TUMS Fast Relief 500 Weekend                                                     GET TICKETS                                                         October 29, 2011 Sprint Cup and Truck Qualifying Kroger 200 NCWTS                                                     GET TICKETS                                                         October 9, 2011 Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300                                                     GET TICKETS                                                           Track Trivia                 Who is the only foreign-born driver to win a Cup race at Martinsville and what country was he from? Click to enter.       Buy 4 TIckets, Get Into Driver Autograph Session   Getting an autograph from a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver will be much easier for fans purchasing four tickets in the Sprint Tower for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 30. Full Story       Racing The Way You Want It To Be.     More Track Headlines   Goodyear Tire Test Open To The Public Martinsville Speedway’s grandstands will be open to fans free-of-charge for an August 16 and 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup Goodyear tire test at the historic half-mile oval. Full Story     Speedway Nominates 4 For France Award Four longtime volunteers in the Martinsville and Henry County area have been nominated for the inaugural Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award by Martinsville Speedway. Full Story     The Racing School Returning To Martinsville The Racing School brings its unique brand of racing instruction back to Martinsville Speedway for the second consecutive year on October 15. Full Story               Racing News Powered by:             Joe Gibbs Aligns With TRD For Engines Joe Gibbs Racing will no longer produce its own engines exclusively and instead receive motor assistance from Toyota Racing Development , Read More         More News | Join The Community | MRN Broadcast Schedule       Tickets: 877.RACE.TIX   If you would like to opt out, please visit the subscription preference center. The subscription preference center is best viewed in Internet Explorer 7. If this was forwarded to you and you would like to begin receiving e mails, please click to subscribe. Please do not reply to the above email address as this address is not monitored. International Speedway Corporation One Daytona Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114