March 31, 2017
Qualifying rainout puts Larson on the pole at Martinsville: For the second straight week, Kyle Larson will start on the pole for a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event. He can only hope the result of the race is the same, too. Last week, Larson won the pole at Auto Club Speedway and went on to win last Sunday’s race at the two-mile track. On Friday, when rain washed out time trials at Martinsville Speedway, Larson earned the top starting spot for Sunday’s STP 500 (2 p.m. ET on FS1) on the basis of owner points. However, Larson will have to overcome his own history at the .526-mile track.9More](3-31-2017)
Rain forces cancellation of Martinsville qualifying; Larson on pole:#42-Kyle Larson will start from the pole for the STP 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway after qualifying was cancelled. The starting lineup was set by the rule book (owner points).
#24-Elliott starts second, followed by #78-Truex, Jr., #2-Keselowski, #22-Logano, #1-McMurray, #21-Blaney, #14-Bowyer, #4-Harvick, and #18-Busch.
Driver(s) who will miss the race: none as 38 were entered for 40 spots.
See the qualifying results (how the field was set) on the qualifying results pageand the complete starting lineup on the Starting Lineup page (pdf).(3-31-2017)
Actor Rockmond Dunbar to serve as grand marshal for STP 500:Actor Rockmond Dunbar, the star of the Hulu series “The Path” and of the Fox series “Prison Break”, will serve as the Grand Marshal and say the most famous words in racing, “Drivers, start your engines,” for Sunday’s STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In addition to “The Path” and “Prison Break,” Dunbar can next be seen in Brad Furman’s crime thriller, LABYRINTH, opposite Johnny Depp.More(3-31-2017)
Friday practice for the STP 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway is over, after 45 minutes, the top-five and notes:
#11-Hamlin 95.256
#18-Busch 95.060
#42-Larson 94.970
#31-Newman 94.908
#1-McMurray 94.889
slowest: #51-Hill 91.647 & #33-JEarnhardt 90.283
most laps run: #24-Elliott, 30 laps
Top 10 consecutive laps: #22-Logano 94.749
#19-Suarez wrecked and will have to go to a backup car.
The session started about 45 minutes late after morning rain push the schedule back.
See fastest speeds, laps run on the Martinsville Practice 1 Speeds page (pdf)(3-31-2017)
Bad Boy Mowers on board with Whitt for Martinsville Speedway: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will head to Martinsville Speedway this weekend for the sixth race of the season. Bad Boy Mowers, specializing in commercial and residential zero-turn lawn mowers, has signed on to serve as the primary sponsor of the #72 with driver Cole Whitt. Famed as the ‘Paperclip’, the 0.526-mile oval is located in Ridgeway, VA where Whitt has six previous MENCS starts, has completed 2,950 laps, with a best finish of 18th.[More](3-31-2017)
Final Truck practice canceled in Martinsville: Rain forced NASCAR to cancel the final practice for the Camping World Truck Series teams on Friday at Martinsville Speedway. The cancellation of Friday afternoon’s on-track activity at the short track led to changes in Saturday’s schedule. The Trucks will now qualify an hour later, at 12:05 pm/et in order for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to have a practice session.(3-31-2017)
Bell fastest in opening Martinsville Truck practice:#4-Christopher Bell was fastest during the opening practice for Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway at 93.724mph. #7-Brett Moffitt, #18-Noah Gragson, #33-Kaz Grala, #29-Chase Briscoe, #88-Matt Crafton, #51-Harrison Burton, #21-Johnny Sauter, #23-Chase Elliott and #8-John Hunter Nemechek were the remainder of the top-10. 34 trucks practiced. See complete results on the Practice 1 speeds (pdf)(3-31-2017)
Martinsville, Bassett and Magna Vista High School Bands join forces for the first time ever at Martinsville: On Friday nights in the fall, they’re on opposite sides of the field. However, Sunday afternoon, the Basset, Magna Vista and Martinsville High School bands will join forces to play the National Anthem at Martinsville Speedway, as part of the prerace ceremonies for the STP 500. This marks the first time the three high schools in the City of Martinsville and Henry County have integrated to form one.[More](3-31-2017)
Drivers appearing at Autism Awareness Day at the Races in Dover:Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Danica Patrick and A.J. Allmendinger will make appearances at the Autism Awareness Day at the Race program at Dover International Speedway on Sunday, June 4. Patrick and Allmendinger will meet and greet families of children on the autism spectrum before racing in the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at the Monster Mile.[More](3-31-2017)
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997