2015 NASCAR HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE WENDELL SCOTT TO BE HONORED AT MARTINSVILLE

NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Martinsville Speedway Pay Tribute To Scott With Special Paint Scheme, Number Change

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. September 19, 2014 – NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Martinsville Speedway announced today they will honor 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee Wendell Scott, the first African-American driver to win a NASCAR premier series event, with a series of tributes during the Martinsville race weekend from Oct. 24-26.

Wendell Scott

Front Row Motorsports will pay homage to Scott, also the first African-American driver to race full-time in NASCAR’s premier series, with a full throwback paint scheme on its No. 34 Ford driven by David Ragan, reminiscent of the blue No. 34 that he drove to Victory Lane for his first NASCAR premier series victory at Jacksonville Speedway on Dec. 1, 1963. Ragan is one of just three drivers to win in the No. 34, and the first since Scott.

“It’s going to be cool to honor Wendell Scott at his home track with his family,” said Ragan. “I got to drive a tribute scheme for Ned Jarrett a while back, and it’s a tribute to the history of our sport that I get to honor Mr. Scott as an inductee, the last driver to win in the No. 34 before I did. I’m a fan of our sport’s history and have a real appreciation for it, so it’s special to be able to bring that paint scheme back for a weekend.”

In addition, Kyle Busch Motorsports will change the number of Darrell Wallace Jr.’s truck from 54 to 34 in honor of Scott. A NASCAR Drive for Diversity graduate, Wallace became the first African-American to win a NASCAR national series race since Scott’s historic 1963 triumph when he captured the checkered flag in last season’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville.

“It’s an honor to run the No. 34 Toyota Tundra at Martinsville,” said Wallace. “I got my first win at Martinsville and the historical significance of that win and to be so close to Wendell Scott’s hometown was a really cool bonus to getting my first win. The Scott family has followed my career since I ran the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program for Rev Racing and I’ve kept a relationship with the family over the years. Thanks to Joe Gibbs Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports, Toyota and NASCAR for allowing me to run the No. 34 at Martinsville. I’m pumped to get back there and hope to get another victory.”

Adding to the celebration, Martinsville Speedway and the NHOF will host members of the Scott family during the race weekend and offer special Q&A opportunities for fans on-site.

“Wendell Scott faced numerous adversities throughout his racing career. At the end of the day though, he persevered and overcame all odds,” said Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway. “That perseverance serves as an inspiration today and as a testament to that, he was inducted to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

A trailblazer whose legacy extends to the present day, Scott was the 1959 NASCAR Virginia Sportsman champion and won over 100 races at local tracks prior to starting his NASCAR premier series career. The Danville, Virginia native served three years in the U.S. Army during World War II where he honed his skills in the motor pool. In 13 years of NASCAR premier series competition, Scott made 495 starts (35th on the all-time list), accumulating 20 top-five and 147 top-10 finishes. He passed away in 1990, at the age of 69.

NASCAR currently awards scholarships in Scott’s name through the United Negro College Fund, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. The Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award is awarded to a diverse or female driver in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series who has demonstrated significant contributions on and off the track. Current NASCAR D4D driver and last year’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Nevada state champion Jay Beasley was the 2013 award recipient.

In addition, NASCAR has designated the first race weekend in March as a time to remember Wendell Scott’s legacy during a week that marks his first career start. Cars in all series run a decal in honor of his accomplishments within the sport.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody’s ® Headache Relief Shot ® 500 will run Sunday, Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Kroger 200 will run Saturday, Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. Both races will also air on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.

 

GREEN FLAG EXPERIENCE GREAT ADDITION FOR FANS

June 20, 2014 – For the first time fans will have the opportunity to watch driver introductions from the track prior to the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger at Martinsville Speedway.

The rare on-track opportunity for driver intros is the premier portion of the new Green Flag Experience which will also include a morning full of fun and excitement on the track and under the large tent in The Plaza.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

The Green Flag Experience on October 26 will include everything from driver question-and-answer sessions from a stage under the tent and show cars at The Plaza to pre-race availability to walk the frontstretch of the track along with a presence at driver introductions.

“We believe, without a doubt, this is the best pre-race option for fans in racing,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “It gives fans the chance to do so many different things that will keep them entertained from early morning until race time. And they will be able to be on the track for driver intros.”

Diet Mountain Dew Driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., a two-time winner this season, is scheduled for an emceed question-and-answer session in The Plaza, along with seven-time Sprint Cup winner Jamie McMurray and David Ragan, winner of two Sprint Cup races. Other drivers and racing personalities will be announced soon.

The Green Flag Experience, which costs just $30, includes:

• Opportunity to watch driver introductions from the track
• Emceed driver Q&A sessions
• Doughnuts, Danishes, coffee and juice
• Music, games and prizes in both areas
• Show cars and simulators
• Access to the frontstretch of the track
• Photo opportunity in the flag stand

The driver question-and-answer sessions, food, music, games and prizes and show cars and simulators will be held in The Plaza from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. The track will open for fans purchasing The Green Flag Experience at 9:15 and will remain open until the finish of driver introductions. The Plaza is located on the hill behind the souvenir display area.

The $30 charge for The Green Flag Experience does not include a ticket for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger.

Ticket prices for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger begin at just $37.

Tickets to the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger on October 26, the Kroger 200 on October 25 and the Virginia Lottery Pole Day on October 24 can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

Source: Martinsville Speedway Website

 

 

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR STP 500 AT MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY

March 12, 2014 – Spring is right around the corner and so is the STP 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.

The first day of Spring is March 20 and 10 days later on March 30, the STP 500 roars to life. It doesn’t get much better than that: warm spring weather and the amazing racing Martinsville Speedway has to offer.

The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is off to an amazing start. There have been three different winners, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kevin Harvick and Brad Keslowski, in three races. And Earnhardt is off to perhaps the best start of his career, with a win and two runner-up finishes. He sits atop the point standings after three events.

And while the STP 500 at Martinsville is drawing near, lots of good seats, right on top of all the action, remain. And they all are at affordable family prices.

Ticket prices for the STP 500 start at $37. Seats in the Bill France Tower are only $42. Youth 12 and under tickets in the Clay Earles Tower are $10 with teens 13-17 for $25 and adults only $57.

The Family Four Pack, which includes 2 adults and 2 youth 12 and under, start at just $90.

The STP 500 weekend at Martinsville Speedway is scheduled for March 28-30. The Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race is scheduled for March 29 and Pole Day on March 28.

 

MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY SECURITY HONORED FOR INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP

National Center For Spectator Sports Safety And Security Recognizes Martinsville

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. July 21, 2013 – Martinsville Speedway brought home two awards on Wednesday from the National Sports Safety and Security Conference in Orlando, Fla. Martinsville won both the Facility of Merit Award and the Security Professional of the Year Award, given to Matt Brannock, the track’s director of operations.

The National Center for Sports Safety and Security at the University of Southern Mississippi (NCS4) recognized Martinsville for its innovation in addressing traffic issues surrounding its two NASCAR race weekends. Martinsville is located in a lightly populated area and the surrounding area grows into a small city of tens of thousands when fans come to town for its events. One of the major problems is traffic congestion throughout the weekend, Martinsville and local law enforcement have employed a system to expedite traffic, while still allowing local residents movement within the community.

Brannock was honored with the prestigious National Sport Safety and Security Professional of the Year Award, along with seven other recipients. Among his accomplishments since joining Martinsville in September of 2011, Brannock has enlisted community groups to help ensure better communication and service with fans onsite at the track. Prior to becoming director of operations at Martinsville, Brannock was a sergeant with the Virginia State Police. On Memorial Day in 2011, Brannock was shot and seriously wounded by a murder suspect he identified and pulled over. Brannock has brought the same fortitude to his position at Martinsville.

The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be the Crown Royal Presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at the Brickyard powered by BigMachineRecords.com at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, July 28 at 1 p.m. ET. The race will be broadcast live on ESPN, IMS Radio Network, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio, with additional coverage on NASCAR.com.