Hornaday Breaks Martinsville Winless Streak

Ron Hornaday celebrates his victory.

Before Saturday Ron Hornaday was 0 and 16 at Martinsville Speedway, but he ended that streak with a win in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race.

The win couldn’t have come at a better time.

For the first time, Martinsville Speedway awarded one of its signature grandfather clock winner’s trophies to the truck series winner. In the past, the clocks had gone only to Sunday winners.

“To win here at Martinsville … the grandfather clock…it’s a big deal,” said the 52-year-old Hornaday. “I’m pretty manly about stuff. I’ve won championships and not cried, but I had a tear in my eye today.”

The win was Hornaday’s 47th in NASCAR Camping World Series competition, which is a record.

Kyle Busch, who battled with Hornaday late in the race, held on for second. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series points leader Todd Bodine finished third, racing hours after the death of his mother.

“That was a heck of a race between me and Kyle. We raced side-by-side and I never got him sideways once,” said Hornaday. “I drove him the way he’d drive me. We have a lot of respect for each other.”

Bodine led for most of the second half of the race before Busch and Hornaday got by him with 25 laps remaining. Bodine was never able to get back in the mix, even through three restarts - the last a two-lap dash in overtime.

Rounding out the top five were Jason White in fourth and Aric Almirola in fifth.

The weekend of racing at Martinsville Speedway continues with the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at 1 p.m. Sunday. Good seats remain for the race and may be purchased at the ticket office, by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.