Late Model Race Now Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300

Clay Campbell and Diane Bechamps show off new pace car.

Martinsville Speedway’s annual Late Model Stock Car race has long been loved by race fans, but now it is official.

The fall classic, scheduled for Oct. 3^rd this year, will be the Virginia Is for Racing Lovers 300 the Virginia Tourism Corporation and Martinsville Speedway announced today.

“This is the event that weekly race fans and competitors across the Commonwealth and throughout the Southeast circle on their calendars every year,” said Martinsville Speedway President W. Clay Campbell. “It is a perfect fit for the Virginia Tourism Corporation to come aboard as the title sponsor. Every year we draw teams and spectators from a dozen or more states. The Virginia Is for Racing Lovers 300 is a destination event.”

“The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 is a special tradition for Virginia that brings thousands of visitors and excitement to tracks across the state,” said Alisa Bailey, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation.  “We are proud to add our support and the Virginia is for Lovers brand to the event, to keep this tradition strong and keep race lovers coming to the Commonwealth.”

The NASCAR Late Model Stock division is a feeder series for NASCAR’s top touring series. Some of the sport’s biggest names … Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Mark Martin, Elliott Sadler and Dale Earnhardt Jr. … have competed in the Late Model Stock ranks at Martinsville Speedway.

“The Late Models are very important to NASCAR. All of our stars are born at the weekly tracks,” said Campbell. “And for all of them, one of their first goals is to win the Virginia Is for Racing Lovers 300. It is truly their Daytona 500 and Super Bowl all rolled into one.”

The Virginia Is for Racing Lovers 300 provides Late Model competitors the only opportunity each season to race on a track where NASCAR’s Sprint Cup stars also race. The racing lore and prestige is probably the biggest factor in helping the event attract over 100 teams every year. But the payoff isn’t bad either. Again this year, the winner will take home $25,000, the biggest payday of the year in NASCAR Late Model racing.

The format of the Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300 will remain the same.  Teams will load into Martinsville Speedway on Friday, October 1 with practice as time allows. Saturday, October 2 will be filled with practice and time trials, with the fastest 20 cars earning starting berths in the main event.

There will be four 25-lap qualifying races to kick the action off on Sunday, October 3, followed by the 200-lap main event.

Tickets for the Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300 are $20 and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

The Virginia Tourism Corporation is the state agency responsible for marketing Virginia to travelers across the globe.  Tourism is one of Virginia’s most powerful industries, generating $19.2 billion in revenue, supporting 210,000 jobs and providing $1.2 billion in state and local taxes.

Love is at the heart of every Virginia vacation.  Visit www.Virginia.org to start planning a visit.  Or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.