Close Practice Sets Up Qualifying Shootout

Times were tight in Friday's practice session.

It was only a practice, but it was a practice that set up a shootout Saturday in time trials for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 Late Model Stock Car race at Martinsville Speedway.

About a quarter of the field has a shot at winning the pole for NASCAR’s biggest Late Model Stock race after a blistering two hours of practice Friday.

Philip Morris, who won this event in 2000, turned in the best time of the day, eclipsing the track record in the process, but there was a huge group of drivers just a tick or two behind him.

Qualifying for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday with the main event set for Sunday afternoon.

Morris’ quickest lap of day around the .526-mile oval was 20.172 seconds (93.878 mph), which bettered the track record of 20.216 seconds (93.668 mph) set by Davin Scites a year ago.

Bassett’s Butch Hamlet was close to the record with a best time of 20.223 seconds (93.636 mph) while young Lee Pulliam of Semora, NC was third quickest at 20.248 seconds (93.520 mph).

Rounding out the top five Friday were Scites at 20.285 and 19-year-old Paddy Rodenbeck of Odessa, FL, fifth at 20.306 (93.253).

Pulliam, this year’s championship runner-up at South Boston Speedway, had been the fastest on two different test days last month at Martinsville Speedway, but he was comfortable with his position after practice Friday.

“Philip and Butch were good, we were good, there were several really good cars. I feel like it’s pretty even,” said Pulliam. “We’ll be happy with a top 10 in qualifying. We’re going to be good for the race and that’s the big thing. I’d rather have the grandfather clock (trophy) and the prestige of winning this race than the pole.”

Rounding out the top 10 in practice were Matt McCall, Brennan Poole, 2005 winner Timothy Peters, Stacy Puryear and Greg Edwards.

Saturday is a busy day with two hours of practice beginning at 9 a.m. Time trials start at 2 p.m. with the top 22 spots determined. Admission to Saturday’s action is $5 with fan gates opening at 9 a.m.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, with an autograph session on the track’s frontstrech set for 11:30 a.m.

The first of the four 25-lap heat races begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by the 200-lap feature race. The top five finishers in each of the four heat races advance to the main event.

Tickets are $20 for adults with children 12 and under admitted free. Tickets may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.