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MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

Martinsville Speedway to allow limited fans for spring NASCAR weekend

(AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)MARTINVILLE, Va. – Now that COVID-19 restrictions have loosened in Virginia, NASCAR fans can finally see a race in person. That’s what we wanted to do,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. NASCAR is making a comeback to Martinsville Speedway with a limited, reduced number of fans throughout the first-ever three-race weekend on April 8-10. Martinsville Speedway is set to host Virginia is for Racing Lovers 200 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race on April 8, the Cook Out 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash race on April 9 at 8:00 p.m. and the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 NASCAR Cup Series race on Saturday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. “We’re working our way back to normal and I think it’s going to be great to have fans here to enjoy what they’ve always enjoyed at Martinsville,” said Campbell.

Martinsville Speedway, surrounding businesses anticipate eased COVID-19 restrictions

RIDGEWAY, Va – When NASCAR drivers start their engines at the Martinsville Speedway this year, a small number of fans will be there to cheer them on thanks to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. The rules take effect before a tripleheader of Martinsville races from April 8-10. In a statement to 10 News, Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said:“We are encouraged by today’s announcement on the increase in limited fan capacity for entertainment venues across the Commonwealth of Virginia. We are grateful for Governor Ralph Northam and his administration’s leadership as we follow the state’s pathway to welcome limited fans back to Martinsville Speedway. When a lot of people lose, the economy gets worse and worse.”In addition to the races in April, Martinsville Speedway also has races scheduled during Halloween weekend.

Elliott races into NASCAR championship; Harvick eliminated

That's how it was supposed to play out, at least, after Harvick won a Cup series-high nine races and the regular-season title. Chase Elliott won the high-stakes race to earn his first career berth in the championship four. Just came up short," Harvick said. “It was just a move I had to try knowing that I needed one point," Harvick said. Bill Elliott was 0 for 45 at Martinsville in his Hall of Fame career, and Chase Elliott won in his 11th try.

Martinsville Speedway Track President Clay Campbell recognized as 2020 Comcast Community Champion of the Year finalist

Comcast announced Martinsville President Clay Campbell as a finalist for the 2020 Comcast Community Champion of the Year, an annual award created to recognize philanthropic efforts of individuals within the NASCAR industry. Campbell is recognized for his efforts to support Henry County and Martinsville, Va., as President of Martinsville Speedway and the Campbell Family Foundation. To learn more about the 2020 Comcast Community Champion of the Year finalists as well as past and present finalists, visit ComcastCommunityChampion.com. Stay connected to Martinsville Speedway on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and by downloading the Martinsville mobile app for Apple or Android. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series™), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), one local grassroots series and three international series.

Race into NASCAR's championship round begins at Kansas

Elliott won the race. The path to the championship finale begins Sunday at Kansas Speedway, the first of three races in the title-setting third round. It's a fairly straightforward series with ensuing stops at Texas Motor Speedway, like Kansas a 1.5-mile intermediate oval, then half-mile Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR's shortest and oldest active track. Hamlin has won NASCAR's last two visits to Kansas, a turnaround after several so-so races. “If you fast-forward to Kansas and Texas, it’s a mile-and-a-half, so everything is just pointing in our direction right now,” he said.

Martinsville Speedway allowing some fans for Halloween weekend NASCAR races

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Get excited race fans because Martinsville Speedway is allowing spectators for its upcoming NASCAR races. As NASCAR returns to Martinsville Speedway for three days of playoff racing action, the track will host limited fans for the Xfinity 500 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race on Sunday, Nov. 1, NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoff race on Saturday, Oct. 31, and NASCAR Hall of Fame 200 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Playoff race on Friday, Oct. 30. A limited, reduced number of fans will be in attendance for each NASCAR Playoff race at Martinsville in accordance with public health officials and local, state and federal authorities. Phase 3 Virginia guidelines“Martinsville Speedway is home to some of the most competitive and dramatic racing in NASCAR, so we look forward to welcoming fans back to be a part of the experience,” said Martinsville President Clay Campbell. “The roar of the engines combined with the return of fans' cheers will make the intense battle to set the field for the NASCAR Championship that much greater.

Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell excited about 2021 NASCAR schedule

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – On Wednesday, NASCAR released its 2021 Cup Series schedule with three new tracks and two new layouts. The two annual races at Martinsville didn’t change too much, but President Clay Campbell was fine with the small tweak to its spring race. “It’s still a Saturday night race, I think it’s the only Saturday night race all year under the lights. Should be a great year.”The schedule also includes back-to-back races in Virginia. It’s a huge month for racing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Coronavirus cancels ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Sorry race fans. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300, the nation’s biggest, richest and most prestigious NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race, at Martinsville Speedway has officially been canceled due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 is scheduled to return to “The Short Track” for the 2021 season. “We value our relationship with Martinsville Speedway and NASCAR,” said Delbert Lee Morgan, CEO/President of ValleyStar Credit Union. ET, the Xfinity 500 will set the field for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Martinsville track Superintendent Billy Moore retires after 38 years

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – With race day at Martinsville Speedway on the horizon, there’s a lot that has to get done. A generator here, we have a sprayer, we spray the walls, we use the little vacuum over there, to vacuum any debris or stuff on the track.”A laundry list of ‘lasts’ that longtime track superintendent Billy Moore will have before retiring next week after 38 years. “I’ve always enjoyed working here at the track, its going to be different, when you figure the times’ right,” Moore said. Moore started at the track in 1982, working outside around the track with now President, Clay Campbell. In 2015, the Martinsville Speedway named the maintenance building after Moore as a testament to his hard work.

Truex ends 2020 winless skid with victory at Martinsville

Martin Truex Jr. cruised down the stretch and won his first NASCAR Cup race of the season on Wednesday night in the first race under the lights at Martinsville Speedway. Truex won the Martinsville grandfather clock on the paperclip-shaped track at just 0.526 miles. Already outspoken on social causes in NASCAR, Wallace denounced the flag and his message spread throughout sports. Boston tweeted questions about the race and seemed to enjoy the action at Martinsville: Do yall be pinned to the TV. Martinsville capped a stretch of seven straight Cup races since it resumed without fans at the track.

Organizations distribute food, hygiene supplies at Martinsville Speedway to those in need

HENRY COUNTY, Va. Some local families now have some much needed supplies thanks in part to a NASCAR drivers foundation. The Joey Logan Foundation partnered with Convoy of Hope, Elevation Church, and the NASCAR Foundation Thursday at Martinsville Speedway to hand out things like cleaning supplies, masks and nonperishable food. I think, with the Joey Logano Foundation focusing on kids in crisis, and then the pandemic hitting, its Well, how can we help?'" said Joey Logano Foundation Director Ali OConnor said. Im very glad the community is doing it," Bassett resident Joey Crist said as he waited in line.

Fan-less races at Martinsville Speedway take financial, emotional toll on local businesses

It’s going to be different," Peoples gas station cook and cashier Carrie Handy said about the race at Martisnville Speedway on Wednesday. NASCAR’s 2020 spring stop at Martinsville Speedway will be different both financially and emotionally for Peoples gas station on Greensboro Road near the Speedway. She’s also hopeful some of the extra business race week creates will still happen this week. “We do a lot of food for public safety, boxes of food for the state troopers," Handy said. I’m not sure if we’re going to get any of that business this time.

Martinsville ready to race on June 10th

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell has been anticipating June 10th for awhile now. “Everybody here is excited that Wednesday night the Blue EMU Maximum Pain Relief 500 is finally here," Campbell said. "Our first full race here under the lights as part of the Cup Series.”The race was originally scheduled for a month ago, but with the Coronavirus pandemic, it was unknown where or when NASCAR would race again. Even though next week’s race will be run in front of an empty grand stand, Campbell says the location of the track makes racing unique for anyone in town. “That’s pretty cool, I know there’s some local establishments that will be doing some race viewing.

NASCAR postpones Martinsville’s May race

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – NASCAR action at Martinsville Speedway is being pushed back. The Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 race weekend scheduled for May 8-9 has been postponed. The Friday announcement did not reveal a new weekend for the race. “We want to thank all of our dedicated fans who were set to join us during our May race weekend and our first NASCAR Cup Series race under the lights,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “The well-being and safety of our patrons, NASCAR stakeholders, employees and our community continues to be our number one priority.

Martinsville Speedway opens a drive-thru coronavirus testing site

Trying to keep educated and stay up-to-date," Nowlin said as she prepared for the coronavirus testing site at Martinsville Speedway to open. "I probably did imagine that something crazy would happen eventually in my time as being a nurse, but this close to home I’m not so sure.”Before the testing site opened on Wednesday, she had one last chance to prepare. Valarie Nowlin gives a coronavirus test demonstration to members of the media Wednesday morning. "I have the man above watching over us, so I think we are going to be fine.”The testing site came together in a matter of weeks. Sovah Health and local first responders are working with the VDH and the Harvest Foundation to run the site.

Martinsville Speedway COVID-19 test site delayed due to lack of test kits

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – The opening of the COVID-19 testing site at the Martinsville Speedway is delayed because they don’t have test kits. The speedway will be a drive-thru test site in just a few days, where people can be tested without leaving their cars. The Harvest Foundation stepped up, encouraging community partners to come up with a way to make it happen. In addition to funding the site, the Harvest Foundation is leading the charge to find people to watch little ones. “A task force of non-profits and local government leaders were convened to discuss and brainstorm the ways the community can best address that need," Harvest Foundation impact officer Sheryl Agee said.

Martinsville Speedway holds testing ahead of modified racing’s return in spring

RIDGEWAY, Va. – We’re still a few months away from racing at Martinsville Speedway, but excitement is already building. For the first time in 10 years, the Whelen Modified Tour will return to the paperclip. We’d run them for years and years and guys would come down here from the North,” said Martinsville Speedway track president Clay Campbell. He raced a Cup Series car full-time in 2019 and is the 2008 Whelen Series Martinsville winner. The MAXPRO Window Films 200 will kick off the weekend of full of activities on May 8th under the lights, with the Cup Series to follow on Saturday night, May 9.

NASCAR Announces Rules Update for Short Tracks in 2020

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Martinsville Speedway has always been known as one of the most entertaining races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule and with the announcement of the new rules adjustments to be used starting at the track in May, everyone will be looking forward to the night race under the lights. Earlier today NASCAR Executive Vice-President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell commented on the new rules package that will be utilized at all short tracks and road courses this season. “Our goal has always been to provide the best possible racing for our fans, regardless of venue,” said O’Donnell. “The 2019 Cup Series race package delivered some of the most exciting races on intermediate and larger tracks that our sport has seen, however we felt we could make improvements to short tracks and road courses. “We believe we have found the right balance for 2020 that will allow teams to build off their previous knowledge of this package and showcase exciting side-by-side racing at tracks of all sizes.”The technical details are:• Spoiler – 2.75” (from 8”)• Splitter – 0.25” overhang (from 2”); approx.

NASCAR legend Junior Johnson dies at 88

Hall of Fame NASCAR racer Junior Johnson died Friday. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in its inaugural Class of 2010. Junior enjoyed so much success at Martinsville Speedway and I’m saddened by this huge loss for everyone associated with NASCAR. He was an inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer, a nod to an extraordinary career as both a driver and team owner. The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true giant of our sport, and we offer our deepest condolences to Junior’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Hundreds of local teens get lesson in distracted, impaired driving

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Hundreds of local high schoolers put the pedal to the metal and got a taste of the track at Martinsville Speedway, all to learn about safe driving. The event was hosted by DRIVE SMART, a nonprofit dedicated to making roads in Virginia safer. On Wednesday, alongside state police, Henry County Department of Public Safety and other volunteers, they taught 400 local students the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. "Teens are our most inexperienced drivers," said Janet Brooking, the executive director of DRIVE SMART, "They're very much vulnerable." "Distracted driving is a serious epidemic that is killing our young folk every day," Hughes said.

'You can feel the history here': Race fans flock to Martinsville Speedway for First Data 500

The First Data 500 exhilarated tens of thousands of fans at the Martinsville Speedway in one of the last races of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup season. While some fans came to see their favorite drivers, others came because of their admiration for the historic speedway. Shenk, a Virginia Tech graduate, showed off his Virginia roots at the race by wearing a vintage shirt depicting former driver Elliott Sadler in his No. 21 Virginia Tech car. This was Martinsville's second and final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race of the season, following the STP 500 in March.

Racing, food, family traditions excite fans at Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -Drivers and fans are revving their engines for the big race weekend at Martinsville Speedway. This is a lot smaller, a lot more strategy.For the past 17 years, the Wiggins family has come to the track. The Wiggins' love for NASCAR started with Chris' father, when Chris was 12 years old. "When my sons got older, 5 or 6 years old, they started coming with us, so its a family tradition, Chris said. Hopefully, it will not rain this weekend," said Denise Booth, a NASCAR fan from Cleveland, Ohio.

Josh Berry dominates ValleyStar 300 late model race

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - It's the biggest, richest, most prestigious NASCAR late model stock car race in the nation. And Josh Berry dominated it. The ValleyStar 300 from Martinsville Speedway is basically the Daytona 500 of the late models. Josh Berry won the pole, then cruised to victory in the feature race leading all 200 laps. Your top five from the historic half mile included Lee Pulliam second, Timothy Peters third, Bobby McCarty fourth, and Bubba Pollard fifth.

First-ever Martinsville, Henry County emergency services parade to be held Saturday

HENRY COUNTY, Va. - A parade is being held this weekend to help you get to know some local first responders. It starts at 5 p.m. Saturday and will feature Martinsville and Henry County firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. They'll drive their emergency vehicles from Stanleytown Elementary School down Highway 220 and Virginia Avenue to Martinsville Speedway. At the speedway, you can talk to the first responders and take a look at their vehicles. "We think it's important to have the community come out and interact with our fire and rescue people so they know what's there and what's going to come to them in the time of need," Ridgeway Rescue Squad Capt.

Goodyear Tire test held Wednesday at Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Martinsville Speedway hosted Goodyear Tires on Wednesday for a tire test. Ford drivers Ryan Blaney, Paul Menard, and Clint Bowyer were in attendance. Goodyear holds tire tests every few months at traacks to test tire fall off and different rubber compounds. Collectively, through Nascar and our programs with the teams, what you have with the car, and ultimately what matches that car to the ground is Goodyear." The next time the drivers will see the track in Martinsville will be in October for the First Data 500 race.

Bimmerworld's James Clay and his racing legacy in the heart of Southwest Virginia

DUBLIN, Va. - Perfectly placed between Martinsville Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway stands Bimmerworld racing in Dublin, Virginia. "I started racing about 20, 22 years ago and started in BMW and it's always been a BMW since then," CEO James Clay said. "Road racing, and it's called road racing but it's not really roads," Clay explained. The BMW's Clay races typically top out at about 150 mph, but it's not about the straightaway speed, it's about maximizing the overall performance. "We've had years that we poured money down the hole to get no result whatsoever, we've had years with championships with high success, and winning races," Clay said.

Thousands celebrate Independence Day at Martinsville Speedway

RIDGEWAY, Va. - Martinsville Speedway replaced its cars with a carnival for the Fourth of July. The speedway hosted an Independence Day celebration, which attracted thousands of people from around Southside Virginia. The celebration featured free carnival rides, two musical performances and fireworks when the sun went down. "It's an honor to celebrate our nation's independence and have this celebration with everyone in Henry County coming out to the speedway," Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell said. The celebration has been a Fourth of July tradition for the speedway for more than 20 years, and Campbell says he is not going to stop the tradition any time soon.

What's News Today: July 4, 2019

Here's a look at some of the stories we'll be following today as they make headlines across the country and Southwest Virginia. The Big Lick Independence Day Celebration is today from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Big Lick Brewing. It runs from noon to 3 p.m.Martinsville Speedway holds a canned food drive as part of its annual Independence Day Celebration. The Patriot Challenge Trail Run returns to Danville. The trail run features a 5K, 10K and Chidren's Fun Run, followed by an ice cream social.

Kyle Busch survives emotional Martinsville race

Busch earns an automatic berth as a championship contender at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the third straight year with the victory. “It’s just a great win,” Busch said. I wanted to win Charlotte, Martinsville, and Homestead and that’ll make us this year’s champions, so we’ve got one more. We’ll just go on to Texas.”Busch’s win was his fifth of the season and eighth Top-10 finish in 25 starts at Martinsville Speedway. The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series returns to Martinsville Speedway on Sunday March 25, 2018 for the STP 500.

Martinsville Speedway to add lights

MARTINSVILLE (WSLS-10 SPORTS)- They have been racing at Martinsville Speedway for nearly 70 years. The International Speedway Corporation will spend 5 million dollar to equip the track with LED lighting. The construction and implementation of the new lights will start after the completion of the Martinsville chase race, scheduled for October 30. "To be able to light this track up when the sun goes down, that's going to be something truly special," said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. We're pleased to provide them with another amenity which will ensure Martinsville continues to be one of the premier destinations in motorsports."