Ohio Families Make Long Trip To Martinsville Toy Drive

Tony and Andy McElrath chow down.

Tony McElrath, his brother Andy and their families normally make two trips a year to Martinsville Speedway. Last weekend they made the 16-hour round-trip drive from Newton Falls, Ohio for the third time this year and there wasn’t a race car in sight.

Tony, Andy, their wives and children, along with friends from Roanoke, made their third Martinsville trip of the year for Saturday’s toy drive at the historic speedway. They were part of a huge turnout that traded toys for laps around the half-mile track. By the end of the day, more than 500 toys had been donated along with more than $2,000 to purchase more toys.

The Grace Network of Martinsville and Henry County will be able to reach out to more than 300 children as a result of the generosity of so many.

“We love Martinsville Speedway. If you had more than two (NASCAR Sprint Cup) races, we would come to more,” said McElrath, who in addition to being a huge Jimmie Johnson fan is also a rabid Cleveland Browns supporter.

“We wanted to see our friends in Roanoke and the chance to drive on the track … that equates to being able to play catch on the field in the Cleveland Browns Stadium. And then to top all that off, it was to help a great cause.”

The McElraths have been coming to Martinsville Speedway for a half-dozen years on the urging of friends they met while camping at a Bristol race.

“We went to Bristol before Martinsville. We met our Roanoke friends at Bristol in the campground. They told us how exciting Martinsville was,” said Tony. “They sold us on Martinsville. Once we came, we loved it. Now we just come to Martinsville.”

Tony, Andy, their families and friends, spent several hours at Martinsville Speedway Saturday, taking turns behind the wheel of their family vehicles chasing the pace car, logging laps on the track they had only viewed from the Bill France Tower in the past.

They also hung out in the infield, where the twin brothers were able to indulge in another Martinsville passions: the World Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dogs. The final count: Tony edged brother Andy, eight dogs to seven.

“When you’re twins, everything turns into a competition. That’s why I ate eight and he ate seven,” said the 35-year-old Tony.

Their gastronomical efforts went for a good cause. The Martinsville Speedway staff worked the infield concession stand, selling the World Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dogs, Pepsi-Colas and hot chocolate for $1 each, with all proceeds going to the toy drive.

The McElraths also took time to point out their campsite in the North Lot Campground to their children, who aren’t allowed on the race trips. There have been as many as 21 adults on past Martinsville race trips making for fun afternoons in the grandstands and nights in the campground.

“I’ve been to other tracks, but there is no track like Martinsville,” said Tony. “Everything is so accessible. At some of the other tracks, the parking lots are too far away or everything is too congested. Here everything is so fan-oriented.”