MARTINSVILLE, Va. – In addition to all of the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on-track action this weekend, there are many opportunities for fans to have fun at and around the track when the engines are quiet.
Fans have a chance to take a step back in time every day this week, and actually until next April, with 65 Years: The History of Martinsville Speedway, an exhibit covering the history of Martinsville Speedway. It is located at the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Center and Museum, 1 East Main Street, Martinsville.
There is no charge to visit the exhibit, which is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A meadow adjacent to the Martinsville Speedway Campground will be alive with music Friday and Saturday nights, as Turn 5 Concerts put on a pair of race weekend shows.
On Friday night, country music veteran John Anderson will appear, along with regional bands Broken Glass and Fatz. Saturday night, rising country star Jaida Dreyer will appear along with Rebel Guns.
The show starts at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $10 per show, or $15 for both.
Saturday morning at 10, NASCAR writer Monte Dutton will join 15 writers at a local coffee shop and café, Binding Time, for Binding Time’s Authors’ Festival. While Dutton is best known for his witty and sometime caustic coverage of NASCAR, he recently released his first novel, The Audacity of Dope.
Dutton, who is also NASCAR’s unofficial troubadour, may also pick and sing a few original tunes.
Binding Time is located at 1115 Spruce St., Martinsville Va.
The Chevrolet Exhibit in Martinsville Speedway’s Display Area will also be quite busy all weekend with Chevy drivers signing autographs.
At 9:15 a.m. Saturday, there will be a Q&A session with Eddie Sharp Racing drivers Justin Lofton, Max Gresham and Cale Gale. At 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Turner MotorSports drivers James Buesher, Miquel Paludo and Nelson Piquet will appear at the Chevrolet Exhibit.
Jamie McMurray will appear in a Q&A at the Chevy display at 10:15 Sunday, followed by Dale Earnhardt Jr. at 10:45, Kasey Kahne at 11:00 a.m. and Juan Pablo Montoya’s pit crew at 11:15
BIG-BAND ANTHEM: The Winston-Salem State University Marching Band will perform the national anthem prior to the TUMS Fast Relief 500 Sunday, their second trip to Martinsville Speedway in two years.
The “Red Sea of Sound,” which features over 200 members, includes dancer, flags, amazing musicians and five, exciting, high-energy drum majors. The band will take a lap around the track in prerace, entertaining fans with their world-renown show.
FLYING HIGH: Sunday’s flyover will be conducted by a pair of T-45s out of Meridian Naval Air Station in Meridian, Mississippi.
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