Peters Has Perfect Martinsville Homecoming

Timothy Peters celebrates in victory lane.

If you don’t think there’s no place like home, just ask Timothy Peters.

Peters scored the biggest win of his racing career Saturday afternoon, winning the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway … his home track.

Peters, who lives about 15 minutes from Martinsville Speedway, took the lead with 84 laps to go and was never challenged again for his first NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory.

“The last 10 laps, I was saying my prayers. ‘C’mon Lord, let’s go 10 laps’,” said Peters. “Thank the Lord above. This right here is awesome to win at Martinsville for my Dad, who I lost in (2001). I have a lot of memories right here. I’m speechless.”

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader Ron Hornaday finished fourth, but wasn’t hurt in the points race. He still leads second place Matt Crafton by 224 points.

Todd Bodine finished second, followed by Colin Braun, Hornaday and NASCAR Sprint Cup regular Kevin Harvick.

It was the second big Martinsville Speedway win of Peters’ career. In 2005 he won the Bailey’s 300 at Martinsville, the largest NASCAR Late Model Stock car race in the country, which pays $25,000 to win.

 “The last time I was in victory lane was ’05 and it was here,” said Peters. “It feels great to be in victory lane. Four years is a long time, especially when you come off Saturday night short tracks and you’re used to winning week in and week out.”

Former Martinsville Speedway Sprint Cup winner Denny Hamlin finished sixth while two-time Martinsville truck series winner Dennis Setzer was seventh and former Martinsville winner David Start was eighth. Rounding out the top 10 were Matt Crafton and Terry Cook.

Action returns to Martinsville Speedway Sunday with the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Fan gates open a 9 a.m.

Tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 remain and may be purchased at www.martinsvillespeedway.com or at the Martinsville Speedway ticket office after 8 a.m. Sunday.