NASCAR Cup Series

“This is a cool race track and we’ve come so close to getting that darned clock,” said Bowyer, referring to the traditional grandfather clock winner’s trophy. “I even brought my ratchet straps the last time. I was going to get it in my truck. This is a track we can win at. It’s needed for us, my race team and Toyota.”

As Martin Truex Jr. heads to one of the more perplexing racetracks for this weekend’s Sprint Cup Series race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, the Furniture Row Racing driver can find solace with how his team has performed in the first five races compared to the same period last year.

Harvick finished second in the Auto Club 400, extending his amazing streak with his eighth consecutive top-2 finish. He continues to lead the Sprint Cup points standings, and holds a 28-point cushion over Joey Logano.

Although Elliott is making an attempt at his first Cup Series start Sunday, in two previous NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts at Martinsville, Elliott completed 100 percent of his total laps run (450) with an average finish of 13th at the oldest and shortest (0.526-mile oval) in-use NASCAR facility.

This Sunday, Harvick returns to the venue at which he last finished outside the top two – Martinsville Speedway – for the STP 500 (1 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1). (Kevin, if you’re reading, don’t watch this.) Harvick finished 33rd at “The Paperclip” in last year’s opener of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup’s Eliminator 8 Round.

“Martinsville will be fun this weekend. I have one race under my belt there from when I ran with the Wood Brothers. It’ll be different this weekend for sure since it’s our first short track race of the season. Hopefully we can keep all of the fenders clean on our AdvoCare Ford and bring it home with a good finish.”

“Martinsville is a difficult half-mile track that I have struggled at in the past. Last fall, I felt more comfortable there and could give the needed feedback to get our car dialed in. We are coming off two top-15 finishes so hopefully our Fastenal team can leave Martinsville with another top 15.”

Going into Sunday's Goody's 500,Bliss will be making his 11th career start in the NSCS at Martinsville Speedway. The Oregon native has a best NSCS finish of 14th, which came back in 2002. Bliss also earned a runner up finish in the Camping World Truck Series back in 2002.

With two wins in the first five races by Team Penske, Ford Performance’s NASCAR teams will look to the half-mile oval of Martinsville Speedway for another chance at reaching victory lane this weekend.

Richard Childress Racing's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history at Martinsville Speedway ... In 146 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts at Martinsville Speedway, Richard Childress Racing has earned four pole awards and posted seven victories with drivers Dale Earnhardt (five times), Ricky Rudd (1983) and Kevin Harvick (2011). RCR Chevrolet teams have earned 28 top-five and 56 top-10 finishes at Martinsville dating back to the team's first start there on April 10, 1972.