Young Drew Herring wrapped up his first track championship Saturday night, but he was already looking ahead to the Bailey's 300 and Martinsville Speedway.

Many miles to the North, Bailey's 300 defending champion Timothy Peters was trying to keep a huge career change under wraps, but he too was looking toward the country's premier Late Model Stock race at Martinsville Speedway on October 1.

Actually, both Herring and Peters were thinking more about Wednesday's open test session at Martinsville Speedway than the race itself. More than 75 teams are expected for the day-long test-fest that gives drivers and crews a chance to fine-tune their cars for the Bailey's 300.

"That practice session is such a huge deal," said the 19-year-old Herring, who picked up his ninth victory of the season at South Boston Speedway Saturday night and sewed up the track's Late Model Stock championship in the process. "There's no way you can just go to a track and expect to be on point. The track changes so much, especially Martinsville, from year to year."

Peters was in the same position as Herring three years ago when he won the South Boston title. But he's spent the past two years in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and normally would have been in the seat of one of Bobby Hamilton Racing's trucks Saturday at New Hampshire International Raceway.

But the Providence, NC, driver was released from that team earlier in the week, not because of poor performance, but because he's a hot commodity, according to team-owner Hamilton. Industry rumors have Peters signing on with a Busch Series ride, reportedly Richard Childress Racing, in the next few days.

It was an amicable split with Hamilton's team. In fact Peters was in New Hampshire spotting for Bobby Hamilton Jr. in the truck series race Saturday. And as hectic as his past few days have been, Peters was looking ahead to this week's Martinsville test.

"We're trying like crazy to get our Late Model ready to be there for the test," said Peters, who has raced a handful of Late Model events the past two seasons with Bailey's as the sponsor. He won the Bailey's 300 last year and has made just one start this season.

"That race is still a big deal for us. It's the Late Model Daytona 500 and I know if we miss the test session we're going to be behind the eight ball. But my guys are working hard to get the car ready."

While Peters was winning last year, Herring was also racing to his best Bailey's 300 finish, a fourth. The young Benson, NC, driver believes that experience will help this time around.

"I would hope we'd be close to where we were last year, but you know, you've got to go down there and get a good feel for the car in the test," said Herring. "It's such a big race and you've got to be the best you can be."

Cars will be on the track from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday with an hour break at noon. The grandstands will open to fans at 8 a.m. with no admission charge.
Qualifying for the Bailey's 300 is scheduled for Saturday, September 30 at 1 p.m. The top 22 positions will be set through qualifying.

The final 20 spots will be determined through four, 25-lap heat races, which will begin at 12:30 on Sunday, October 1. The 200-lap feature will begin at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 1.

Tickets for qualifying are $5 apiece while tickets for Bailey's 300 are $20, and may be purchased in advance by calling 877.RACE.TIX, toll free, or by visiting www.racetickets.com. Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the event.

Information about the Bailey's 300 may be found at www.martinsvillespeedway.com