Scites Wins Bailey's 300 Pole In Record Time ... Again

Davin Scites was number one at Martinsville Speedway again Saturday.

When Davin Scites left Martinsville Speedway Friday afternoon, he was just hoping to be competitive in qualifying on Saturday. When he left the track Saturday afternoon, he had claimed his third consecutive Bailey’s 300 pole, and for the third straight year had recorded a track record.

Scites went out late in the day, when others were slowing down as the track surface heated up, and turned in a record lap of 20.216 seconds (93.668 mph) around the .526-mile oval to claim the pole for Sunday’s Bailey’s 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock race.

“Last night (after practice) I thought, man, I want to make the top 20,” Scites said after topping the mark of 20.316 seconds he set a year ago. “It was that bad. We came back, we regrouped, changed a lot this morning.

“It’s unbelievable,” to win three straight poles, Scites said.

“I just love getting around this place. I’ve always liked this place. It’s a good short track and it just fits my driving style,” the Davidson, NC driver said.

The front row will have a familiar look Sunday with Scites on the pole and Morris on the outside pole. They started in the exact same order a year ago.

On the type of warm, sunny day that normally slows speeds, eight drivers broke Scites’ record of a year ago.

Morris, who was knocked from the top spot by Scites, had a record-breaking time of 20.49. Young Nick Smith  of Moseley, VA, nailed down the third spot for his first Martinsville start, followed by veteran Brandon Butler  of Sutherland, VA, in fourth and Jerame Donley of Winston-Salem, NC in fifth. Rounding out the top eight record breakers were Clay Rogers in sixth, Chad Harris in seventh, and Alex Yontz in eighth.

Only the fastest 22 cars advanced to Sunday’s 200-lap feature through time trials Saturday. The remaining 61 drivers will have to earn a berth in the field through Sunday’s four 25-lap heat races. The top five in each heat race advances to the feature.

The heat races begin at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday followed by the 200-lap feature.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. Sunday. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12 and children under six are admitted free. Tickets may be ordered by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.