'Big' Announcement by Martinsville Speedway UPDATE: Speedway officials say it might be the track's biggest announcement in 10 years. The Martinsville Speedway plans to make a major announcement Thursday afternoon about facility upgrades and additions. They aren't releasing any more specific details about the announcement, but supposedly several state and local officials plan to attend.(WSET.com)(8-26-2010)
UPDATE: Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and state and local officials announced today a Tobacco Commission grant and other initiatives that will help provide an enhanced fan experience at Martinsville Speedway. The Tobacco Commission awarded Martinsville Speedway a grant of $1.5 million dollars, which will be matched by Martinsville Speedway for a $3 million project to upgrade facility infrastructure. As part of the agreement with the Tobacco Commission, International Speedway Corporation (ISC) has committed to two Sprint Cup races annually at Martinsville Speedway for at least the next five years. Bolling, the Chief Jobs Creation Officer for the Commonwealth, also announced that the Virginia Department of Transportation had already begun work on the construction of a new on/off ramp on US 58 adjacent to the speedway, which will improve traffic flow on race weekends.
The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has also committed to help promote Martinsville Speedway’s Sprint Cup events in its nation-wide marketing campaigns. Earlier this summer the VTC announced it would also sponsor Martinsville Speedway’s annual Late Model Stock Car event, which is now The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300. According to Frith Construction Company, general contractor for the improvement project, the equivalent of 50 fulltime jobs will be created for the duration of that project. Also, 94% of all subcontractors and vendors will come from the immediate area. Work will begin on the first phase of the infrastructure upgrades immediately after the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 24 and will be finished before Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on April 3. Campbell said because of time constraints between events, the construction would be done in several phases between events.(Martinsville Speedway)(8-26-2010)

Martinsville Cup Races Both Week Later In 2011: Martinsville Speedway will again host two NASCAR Sprint Cup races in 2011, but both races will be a week later than in recent years. NASCAR announced that the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 is scheduled for Sunday, April 3 while the TUMS Fast Relief 500 will be held on Sunday, October 30. “There was quite a bit of shuffling in the schedule for next year and we are really pleased with the new dates NASCAR has for us,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “Our spring date is a little further into spring and our second date still falls at a very comfortable time in this part of Virginia. We think that both of our 2011 dates are great for our fans and should provide two great weekends.”(Martinsville PR)(8-13-2010)

Martinsville would like new spring date: Clay Campbell, track president of Martinsville Speedway and he said he would like to have a new date for this spring race (the track had a mid-April date for a number of years until moving up earlier in the schedule in 2007). Here's what he said: "March, it's a tough time period here, so yes, I'm talking to see if there's any chance of something being done (spring date moved). I don't know if there is. Years ago we were the last week of April. That's a good time of the year around here. I know NASCAR has a tough time juggling the schedule around because if they move one (date), it takes two to move. I understand that, and I understand that NASCAR has issues, too. It's not an easy thing to do, and I'd say the chances are slim of any movement happening, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't try to improve what we've got here.'' Of course, there could be a good bit of movement to the schedule next year if the legal issues around Kentucky Motor Speedway get resolved and Bruton Smith moves a Cup date there. Also, International Speedway Corp., wants a second date for Kansas Speedway but has not said from what track it will take it from. ISC owns Martinsville Speedway. Certainly, there could be a good bit of changes to the schedule next year and this is about the time of the year that NASCAR officials begin working on the next year's schedule.(Virginian Pilot)(3-29-2010)

F-18s To Provide Flyover for Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500: One of the Navy’s oldest and most decorated squadrons will provide the flyover for Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Strike Fighter Squadron Three One will supply the flyover support with F-18 Super Hornets after the Virginia Military Institute’s Glee Club performs the national anthem prior to the start of the race. Based at Oceana Naval Air Station near Norfolk, the VFA-31 recently spent an eight-month deployment aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. The Tomcatters dominated the skies above Afghanistan during the deployment, flying over 6,000 hours and 2,000 sorties in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Strike Fighter Squadron Three One has a long and distinguished history. The squadron has served in every major conflict since its inception. The squadron was aboard the USS Enterprise during the bombing of Pearl Harbor as well as the Battles of Wake Island, Marcus Island, Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal and the Eastern Solomons. The squadron has seen aerial combat over the Philippines, Formosa, Okinawa and China. Tickets for the races are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or going to martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(3-23-2010)

Kids Zone Returns at Martinsville: One section of Martinsville Speedway’s display area has again been declared a “Kids Zone” for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 weekend with games, souvenirs and food aimed at the younger crowd. There will be two inflatable games for the youngsters to play on, The Moon Walk and The Slide. The concession items in the Kids Zone will not only be kid favorites, but kid priced. There will be chicken nuggets, hot dogs, cotton candy, chips, fruit cups and Capri Sun juice boxes. Nothing will be over $2. There will also be plenty of youth oriented souvenirs … three trailers full. Digger, FOX TV’s racing cartoon star, will have a trailer, along with the Kid’s Stop trailer and the Kidz Rock trailer. There are some great ticket prices for kids during the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 weekend. Children’s tickets in the Clay Earles Tower are only $10 when purchased with an adult ticket. Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the Kroger 250 on Saturday, March 27 and Duracell Battery Kroger Pole Day on Friday, March 26. Tickets for the races are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or going to martinsvillespeedway.com.(Martinsville Speedway)(3-23-2010)

Harry Gant, Bobby Allison Fill Field For Goody's FAN-Tastic Forum At Martinsville: The field has been filled and the starting time set for the Goody’s FAN-Tastic Forum: Story-telling by NASCAR’s Greats at Martinsville Speedway on March 27. In a journey back in time, seven of the sport’s most legendary drivers will be spinning tales for fans in Martinsville Speedway’s display area on Saturday, March 27, beginning at 6 p.m. Harry Gant and Bobby Allison have been added to the previously announced cast of Junior Johnson, Donnie Allison, Buddy Baker and Ned Jarrett. Veteran Motor Racing Network announcer Barney Hall, another icon of the sport, will emcee the event. “When we started putting this together, we never envisioned we’d get such a group of our sport’s heroes,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “The group we have wound up with is like a ‘Who’s Who’ of racing history. It’s going to be a rare opportunity for all of us to see such racing royalty all together in one spot.” Prior to the beginning of the Goody’s FAN-Tastic Forum on Saturday, March 27, most of the drivers will be participating in a one-hour autograph session in the display area outside of the fourth turn area of the track. As a part of the old-school racing weekend, renown motorsports Sam Bass has produced a one-of-a-kind print, title “Time Travelers,” which will serve as the cover for the weekend’s souvenir program. Several thousand posters will be made from the print and distributed to fans during the weekend. Also, Baker, who won the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville in 1979, has been named the Grand Marshal for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500. Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday, March 28, the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, March 27 and the Duracell Battery Kroger Pole Day on Friday, March 26 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or going to martinsvillespeedway.com.(3-22-2010)

Virginia Military Institute Glee Club to perform Martinsville National anthem: The Virginia Military Institute Glee Club will perform the National Anthem for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on March 28, guaranteeing racing fans a traditional version of the Star Spangled Banner. The VMI Glee Club, which has been in existence since 1858, has entertained groups from coast-to-coast, singing for everything from gubernatorial inaugurations to the National Shrine in Washington, DC, to PGA Tournaments. Their version of the anthem is authentic and traditional. The VMI Glee Club is made up of 30 cadets from all classes, academic majors and ROTC affiliations at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. It is the oldest performing group at VMI. VMI is the nation’s oldest state supported military college, founded in 1839. Martinsville Speedway tickets may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.(3-22-2010)

SPEED's Rub-N-Grub Perfect Deal For Martinsville Fans: Martinsville Speedway has a reputation for great racing and great food. SPEEDtv is featuring both in their Grub-N-Rub offer for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 weekend. The bargain package from SPEED includes a ticket for the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on March 27, a ticket for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on March 28 and admission to a breakfast that will include appearances by NASCAR Sprint Cup and Camping World Truck series drivers along with SPEED personalities. The $99 price tag, $69 for children 12 and under, includes a two-day reserved ticket in the Blue Ridge Tower on the front stretch for the Kroger 250 and the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500. It also includes breakfast at 9 a.m. on Saturday with question and answer sessions with Sprint Cup driver Kevin Harvick, truck series drivers Timothy Peters and Ricky Carmichael, track president Campbell and personalities from SPEED. Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday, March 28, the Kroger 250 on Saturday, March 27 and the Duracell Battery Kroger Pole Day on Friday, March 26 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 start at just $25.(Martinsville Speedway)(3-13-2010)

Martinsville Family 4 Pack Gives Fans Chance at good and food at low price: Martinsville Speedway is famous for three things: great racing, great hot dogs and great prices. The track has combined all three for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on March 28. The new $99 Family 4 Pack is the most inexpensive way for a family of four to spend the day at Martinsville Speedway and enjoy the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500. The Family 4 Pack includes two adult tickets two children’s tickets (12 and under) to the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 along with vouchers for The Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog (four) and four Pepsi products. The Family 4 Pack seats are located in rows 6 through 14 of the Clay Earles Tower. Order your Family 4 Pack by calling 877-RACE-TIX (877-722-3849) and mentioning the Family Four Pack offer or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online.(Martinsville Speedway)(3-8-2010)

Martinsville expands ticket Office hours: Martinsville Speedway has expanded its ticket office hours to give fans plenty of time to purchase tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on March 28. The ticket office hours have been broadened to include Saturdays from now until the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500. The speedway ticket office will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays in addition to its normal daily hours of 9 to 5. Tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online.(Martinsville Speedway)(3-8-2010)

NASCAR Honors Martinsville Speedway for Recognition of Race Fans: Martinsville Speedway and Darnell Communications were honored by NASCAR Friday with the first-ever “Fan Recognition Award” for making the fans the grand marshal and honorary starter for last fall’s TUMS Fast Relief 500. It was the first time in the history of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing that the fans had been given the duties of grand marshal and honorary starter. To make sure it was an authentic experience, every fan was given a replica green flag to signal the start of the race. And when the race began, the grandstands were a sea of green. “It was a moving moment for me to see all of those green flags waving. I’ve been around this sport all my life and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it before,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “We’ve always said that fans come first at Martinsville Speedway and this was just a way we could take that another step. We are honored to be recognized by NASCAR, but this award is for the fans. They are the ones who keep this sport rolling.” Darnell Communications, which provides public relations and media strategies and services in motorsports for the TUMS brand, produced the concept to feature the fans and TUMS management quickly gave approval. Darnell Communications, the staff of Martinsville Speedway and TUMS officials spent almost a year working on the fan initiative. The final result was so popular it will be repeated at the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 24.(Martinsville Speedway)(1-25-2010)

Goody's, TUMS Sign Two-Year Renewal with Martinsville: One of the most enduring relationships in NASCAR grew a little stronger today with the announcement that Goody’s Headache Powders and TUMS® are renewing their sponsorship of the spring and fall Sprint Cup races at Martinsville Speedway through the 2012 season. Goody’s sponsorship of the spring race will continue with the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 while TUMS will extend its sponsorship of the fall race with the TUMS Fast Relief 500. The sponsorship extensions are another chapter in a decades-long history between GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare (makers of Goody’s and TUMS) and the historic half-mile oval. The two joined forces in 1983 when Goody’s Headache Powder first sponsored the Goody’s 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Since then Goody’s and TUMS have sponsored a total of 23 races in several different divisions at Martinsville Speedway. TUMS has been the sponsor of the fall event at Martinsville since 2008. This year’s Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 is scheduled for Sunday, March 28 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500 is set for Sunday, October 24. The Goody’s Fast Relief Zone is an interactive NASCAR experience for fans to enjoy and sample Goody’s Headache Powders at select NASCAR races, including the next two Goody’s Fast Relief 500 races at Martinsville. Also recently, Martinsville Speedway president W. Clay Campbell announced today that Karen Parker has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing.(Martinsville Speedway)(1-18-2010)

Fans will again wave green flag at Martinsville: In response to the overwhelming feedback from the fans, NASCAR community and motorsports industry, TUMS and Martinsville Speedway announced that all fans attending the 2010 TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Oct. 24 will serve as the "Official Starter" for the event. In 2009 and for the first time in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history, TUMS designated all fans attending the event as the "Official Starter". More than 64,000 fans participated in the unique event, waving their commemorative green flag to start the 500-lap event at the storied racing facility. All fans attending the Oct. 24, 2010, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event will receive a commemorative green flag when they arrive at their seats. Following the lead of the NASCAR flagman, fans will participate in the official start of the race. Many other special activities are being planned to make the 2010 TUMS Fast Relief 500 a memorable event for the fans.(Martinsville PR)(12-21-2009)

65,000-Plus Fans Will Give Starting Command at Martinsville: For the first time in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history, all fans attending the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway Sunday will serve as the ‘Grand Marshals’ and ‘Official Starters’ for the event. Tums, Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR and the Sprint Cup Series drivers and crews will salute the fans during pre-race activities leading up to the final honors of giving the command ‘Gentlemen, Start Your Engines’ and the waving of the green flag for the start of the 500-lap event. During pre-race ceremonies, the 43 drivers and crews will thank the fans for their support with a special salute. The drivers and more than 400 crew members will take part in the tribute to say thank you to all race fans. On a few occasions, fans have been invited to join the designated Grand Marshal in giving the command ‘Gentlemen, Start Your Engines’. At the Tums Fast Relief 500, fans will not only give the command to start the engines, but also participate in starting the race. All fans attending Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event will receive a 12” x 15” commemorative green flag when they arrive at their seats. Following the lead of the NASCAR flagman, all 65,000 fans will participate in the start of the 500-lap race, waving their own green flag. Sprint Vision will present congratulatory messages from several drivers and the NASCAR community throughout the morning leading up to the start of pre-race ceremonies. Fans also will see the VIP introductions at the opening of the driver’s meeting on Sprint Vision. Tums returns as the title sponsor for the fall NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at the .526-mile track for the second consecutive year. The Tums Fast Relief 500 is the sixth of 10 races that make up the Chase for the Sprint Cup and the final short-track race of the season.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-21-2009)

Kids' Zone To Make Debut at Martinsville Speedway: Martinsville Speedway has been considered a family track for all if its 62 years, but for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 25, it will be just a little more child friendly than in the past. One section of the display area has been declared a “Kids' Zone” for the Tums Fast Relief 500 weekend with games, souvenirs and food aimed at the younger crowd. There will be two inflatable games for the youngsters to play on, The Moon Walk and The Slide. The concession items in the Kids' Zone will not only be kid favorites, but kid priced. There will be chicken nuggets, hot dogs, cotton candy, chips, fruit cups and Capri Sun juice boxes. Nothing will be over $2. There will also be plenty of youth oriented souvenirs … three trailers full. Digger, FOX TV’s racing cartoon star, will have a trailer, along with the Kid’s Stop trailer and the Kidz Rock trailer. There are some great ticket prices for kids during the TUMS Fast Relief 500 weekend. Children’s tickets in the Clay Earles Tower are only $10 when purchased with an adult ticket. Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the Kroger 200 on Saturday, October 24 and Farm Bureau Pole Day on Friday, October 23. Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on Sunday, October 25, the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, October 24 and the Farm Bureau Insurance Pole Day on Friday, October 23 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Ticket prices range from $25 to $77 for the TUMS Fast Relief 500.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-20-2009)

Mountain Heart to sing National Anthem at Martinsville: Mountain Heart, the band that figured a way to combine bluegrass, rock, blues and jazz, will bring its amazing vocals to Martinsville Speedway to perform the National Anthem before the running of the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 25. Mountain Heart is accustomed to large stages; the group has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry over 100 times and performed with acts ranging from Brad Paisley to Lynyrd Sknyrd to Montgomery Gentry to Alison Kraus. Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race may be purchased by calling 877.722.3849 (877.RACE.TIX) or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-19-2009)

Great Tickets at Great Prices remain for Martinsville: Fans still have the opportunity to get great seats for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway at the best prices in a decade. Tickets start at just $25 for the TUMS Fast Relief 500, the sixth race in the Chase For The Sprint Cup, on Sunday, October 25.
• All Backstretch seats are $25 along with the first five rows of seats in the Sprint Tower, the Clay Earles Tower and the South Annex.
• Seats in the Clay Earles Tower overlooking the second turn are $55.
• Children’s tickets in the Clay Earles Tower are only $10 when purchased with an adult ticket.
• All seats in Bill France Tower are $40
• Seats in the Sprint Tower are $65
Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race may be purchased by calling 877.722.3849 (877.RACE.TIX) or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online.(Martinsville Speedway)(10-18-2009)

Improvements Will Greet Fans at Martinsville: New and improved ticket gates and renovated campsites will greet fans who visit Martinsville Speedway for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 25. Martinsville Speedway’s main ticket gate has been reconfigured to help make entering and exiting smoother. Also two ticket gates have been added in the first-turn area of the track, which should reduce traffic at other gates at that end of the track. Also during the offseason, the speedway revamped a group of campsites directly behind the backstretch, leveling the ground in the area, making the sites much more functional for campers. Also four sections on the backstretch have been renamed. Section M is now Section UU; Section N is now Section TT; Section O is now Section SS; and Section P is now Section RR. Tickets are on sale for the TUMS Fast Relief 500, the Kroger 200 and the Virginia Farm Bureau Pole Day and may be purchased by calling 877.722.3849 (877.RACE.TIX) or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online. Ticket prices range from $25 to $77.(10-12-2009)