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.
