MARTINSVILLE, VA (May 23, 2011) – Last Friday and Saturday were like a busy race weekend at Martinsville Speedway, just without all the racecars.
Friday the Speedway hosted The NASCAR Day Car Wash for Kids, a visit from the Sorensen Institute’s Political Leaders Program and the Martinsville High School After-Prom Party.
Saturday evening, Raceway Ministries held its Martinsville volunteer picnic and 20th year celebration in the infield of the track, with about 100 in attendance.
“This was a big, busy weekend for us, the kind that flies under the racing radar, but is really important to us,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “We are passionate about doing things in our community, for our community, and days like Friday and Saturday are big to us.”
Friday’s NASCAR Day Car Wash was fueled by 43 volunteers, who washed more than 80 vehicles, raising money for the NASCAR Foundation and the Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA. The NASCAR Foundation and the YMCA split the funds raised, with Martinsville Speedway pledging to match the amount raised for the YMCA.
“We all had a lot of fun with the car wash,” said Campbell, who along with his staff members spent most of the day working the car wash. The YMCA also provided volunteers. “We appreciate everyone who volunteered and we appreciate everyone who came out to get their cars washed. We all worked, had fun and raised money to help a lot of children.”
In what is a decade-long tradition, the Martinsville High School After-Prom Party was held in Martinsville Speedway’s infield Friday night.
Parents spent a good part of the day decorating the Infield Media Center and the garage area at the opposite end of the track from the car wash. Shortly after midnight the party began, with more than 300 high school students celebrating the “Hollywood” themed after-party. They enjoyed several hours of games, music, food and prizes.
Late Friday afternoon more than 30 members of the Sorensen Institute’s Political Leaders Program got a quick lesson in everything Martinsville Speedway while also taking in all the activities at the track.
The Political Leaders Program is a leadership development program for residents of Virginia interested in becoming more active in public service, whether as community leaders or as elected officials. Participation in this program has become a traditional “first step” for future political leaders in the Commonwealth. The class meets in various locations across Virginia, once a month for 10 months from March through December.
The group visiting the Speedway Friday came from every corner of the Commonwealth, and included corporate CEOs, urban planners, college professors, attorneys, presidents of companies large and small, engineers and even a retired Naval submarine commander.
“It was the perfect day for the Sorensen group to come. Not only were they surprised at what Martinsville Speedway had to offer, they were surprised at how much was going on here on a Friday afternoon and how we worked with the community,” said Campbell.
Raceway Ministries has long lent a helping hand on race weekends at Martinsville Speedway, assisting with guest services and providing church services, among other things. The group gathered in the infield garage Saturday night to recognize its many volunteers and to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Tickets for all three days of the TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend, Oct. 28-30, are on sale and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at http://www.martinsvillespeedway.com www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
Tickets for Friday’s practice session are $10. Tickets for Saturday’s Kroger 200 are $30 in advance and $35 the day of while tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 start at just $25.
