MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 19, 2012) – Ten days of racing excitement at Martinsville Speedway began Friday when more than 80 cars rolled into the historic track for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock race.
The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300, NASCAR’S premier Late Model race, is scheduled for Sunday. The TUMS Fast Relief 500, the seventh race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, is set to take the green flag on Sunday, October 28. And in between lots of exciting things are happening at and around Martinsville Speedway.
“It’s a great time of the year to be in Martinsville, especially if you are a race fan,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “Over the next few days we’re going to have some of the greatest short-track racing you’ll ever see. The Late Model teams are truly weekend warriors. They do it out of their love for the sport, and the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 gives them the opportunity to race on a big stage.
“Next weekend with the Kroger 200 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 we’ll have great short-track racing with two tight championship races in play. For the next few days, Martinsville is going to be the heart of the racing world.”
The Late Model teams will spend half of Saturday getting cars through inspection, and then it will be on-track action several hours of practice. Speeds from the final hour of practice, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., will be used to set the field for the four 25-lap heat races on Sunday. The top eight finishers in each heat race will advance to the 150-lap feature.
The final 10 spots in the 42-car feature will be filled through a 50-lap last chance race. This is the first year for the all-heat race format.
“The reaction to the change has been very good,” said Campbell. “Fans I’ve talked to are very excited about it and I think most of the drivers have come around, too.”
The first heat race will begin at noon Sunday and the 150-lap feature should begin around 3:30.
There will be a free on-track autograph session open to all fans at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Once the dust clears from the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300, fans will hardly have time to catch their breath before action picks up for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 200.
Both series will load into the infield on Thursday afternoon. On-track action begins at 11 a.m. next Friday with Kroger 200 practice, followed by practice for the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 is set for 3:40 p.m.
Kroger 200 time trials will be at 10:35 Saturday morning, sandwiched between two Sprint Cup practice sessions. The Kroger 200 will take the green flag at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The TUMS Fast Relief 500 will start at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 28.
Fan gates open each day at 9 a.m.
Tickets for all events may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting martinsvillespeedway.com online.
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