Made In America 300 Will Have Packed Schedule Sunday

The Modified machines got on the tracks for a few laps Saturday.

Despite a valiant effort by track workers, rain washed away Saturday’s action at Martinsville Speedway, forcing the Made In America 300 to be compressed into a one-day event, beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour cars will get on track at 9 a.m. Sunday for an hour of practice followed by an hour-long Limited Sportsman practice session. Modified time trials will begin at 11:30 a.m. with the two Limited Sportsman heat races set for 1 p.m.

The 200-lap NASCAR Modified Tour race will take the green flag at 3 p.m. with the 50-lap Limited race set to start at 5:30 p.m.

There will be an autograph session with Modified drivers on the front stretch at 2 p.m.

Track workers, with the help of two jet driers, battled a light mist much of the morning before getting the track dry enough around noon Saturday to allow the Modifieds about a 40-minute window for practice. Then the rains came back harder and the day was called.

Todd Szegedy led the field during the abbreviated practice for the Made In America Whelen 300, touring the demanding track during practice with a time of 19.133 seconds (97.841 mph). Donny Lia, a former Martinsville winner, was second with a time of 19.172 (97.642 mph). Glenn Tyler was fourth with Johnny Bush and Ronnie Silk completing the top five.

Because of the tight schedule Sunday, the Limited Sportsman will not have time trials. The first 26 positions in the 50-lap feature will be filled by the fastest 26 cars in practice. The final 10 spots will be filled through two 25-lap heat races.

Tickets for the Made In America Whelen 300 are $25 for adults with children 12 and under admitted free.