NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville
Stock car racing events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series have been held at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia during numerous seasons and times of year since the series’ inception in 1982. Races were first held from 1982 to 1994, and a one-off race occurred in July 2006. In October 2020, the series returned after a 14-year absence, adding a second date in 2021.
NASCAR Xfinity Series | |
---|---|
Venue | Martinsville Speedway |
Location | Ridgeway, Virginia, United States |
Circuit information | |
Surface | Asphalt Concrete (turns) |
Length | 0.526 mi (0.847 km) |
Turns | 4 |
Spring race
NASCAR Xfinity Series | |
---|---|
Venue | Martinsville Speedway |
Location | Ridgeway, Virginia, United States |
Corporate sponsor | Call 811 Before You Dig |
First race | 1970 |
First NXS race | 1982 |
Distance | 131.2 miles (211.1 km) |
Laps | 250[1] Stages 1/2: 60 each Final stage: 130 |
Previous names | Dogwood 500 (1982) Miller Time 250 (1983–1984) Miller 200 (1985) Miller Classic (1988–1991) Miller 500 (1986–1987, 1992–1994) Cook Out 250 (2021) Call 811 Before You Dig 250 powered by Call811.com (2022) |
Most wins (driver) | Sam Ard Jimmy Hensley (2) |
Most wins (team) | Thomas Brothers Racing Joe Gibbs Racing (2) |
Most wins (manufacturer) | Buick Pontiac (4) |
The Call 811.com Before You Dig 250 is a NASCAR Xfinity Series stock car racing spring event at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia, originally held from 1982 to 1994 as a standalone spring meeting, but starting in 2021 returns as part of a three-day tripleheader along with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Cup Series.
It was first held as a Late Model Sportsman and Modified doubleheader in 1970, and in 1982 the Late Model Sportsman feature changed to a touring format for the original 1982 Budweiser Late Model Sportsman season, and stayed as a touring race until 1994. Following the 1994 season, both of Martinsville's race, the Miller 500 and the Advance Auto 500, were converted to Late Model only races. The March Late Model race was discontinued at the end of the 1997 season.
In 2021, the Xfinity Series restored Martinsville's spring date as a night race in support of the Cup Series' Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 and aligned with the Modified Tour where the two series race over consecutive nights, instead of racing on one day. The race is one of two Xfinity events at the short track along with the Draft Top 250 in the fall.[2]
The race changed distances several times in its history. When first held in 1970, the Late Model Sportsman and Modified features were both 250 laps, covering 131.2 miles (211.1 km). Following the addition of local Late Models and the conversion of the Modified race into part of the NASCAR's regional touring series in 1985, the two touring races were decreased to 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km) with a 100 lap, 52.6 miles (84.7 km) Late Model feature, where it remained until the Modifieds were removed for the 1993 season, when the distance was increased to 300 laps, 157.8 miles (254.0 km) for the touring Busch Grand National cars, and 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km) for the Late Model race. When the race format became strictly Late Model only, the qualifying races and Late Model feature (25 lap heat races and last chance race) totaled 300 laps. The race was discontinued after the 1997 season, and only the fall race was held for Late Models.
The race was never 500 laps, miles, or kilometers in distance at any point in its history. The "500" originated from Martinsville's two traditional combination Late Model and/or Modified races that resulted in a 500-lap format:
- 1970–84: 250 laps, co-featured with Modifieds
- 1985–91: 200 laps, co-featured with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and 100 laps Late Model racing
- 1992–94: 300 laps, and 200 laps Late Model racing
The 2021 Cup Weekend format returned to the 1970-84 format of 250 laps. The Whelen Modified Tour returned as the Thursday night feature, with the Xfinity race the Friday night feature. No practice or qualifying were held as part of post-pandemic restrictions, but they returned for the 2022 running.
Year | Date | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laps | Miles (km) | |||||||
1982 | March 28 | Sam Ard | Thomas Brothers Racing | Oldsmobile | 250 | 131.25 (211.226) | 67.244 | |
1983 | March 20 | Sam Ard | Thomas Brothers Racing | Oldsmobile | 250 | 131.25 (211.226) | 2:05:46 | 62.682 |
1984 | March 25 | Jack Ingram | Jack Ingram Racing | Pontiac | 250 | 131.5 (211.628) | 1:42:16 | 77.751 |
1985 | April 6 | Brett Bodine | Hendrick Motorsports | Pontiac | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:43:08 | 61.202 |
1986 | March 23 | Morgan Shepherd | Whitaker Racing | Pontiac | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:30:42 | 69.592 |
1987 | March 22 | Brad Teague | Charlie Henderson | Chevrolet | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:36:36 | 65.229 |
1988 | March 13 | Jimmy Hensley | Sam Ard | Buick | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:29:52 | 70.237 |
1989 | March 12 | Tommy Ellis | J&J Racing | Buick | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:39:12 | 63.629 |
1990 | March 11 | Tommy Houston | Houston Racing | Buick | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:38:18 | 64.212 |
1991 | March 10 | Jimmy Hensley | Beverly Racing | Oldsmobile | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:32:04 | 68.559 |
1992 | March 22 | Kenny Wallace | Rusty Wallace Racing | Pontiac | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:26:12 | 73.225 |
1993 | May 8 | Ward Burton | A.G. Dillard Motorsports | Buick | 300 | 157.8 (253.954) | 2:14:59 | 70.142 |
1994 | March 20 | Terry Labonte | Labonte Motorsports | Chevrolet | 300 | 157.8 (253.954) | 2:12:25 | 71.511 |
1995 – 2020 |
Not held | |||||||
2021 | April 9–11* | Josh Berry | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 250 | 131.5 (211.628) | 2:12:02 | 59.758 |
2022 | April 8 | Brandon Jones | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 261* | 137.286 (220.939) | 2:26:50 | 56.099 |
2023 | April 15 | John Hunter Nemechek | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 250 | 131.5 (211.628) | 2:12:50 | 59.398 |
- 2021: Race suspended from Friday night to Sunday afternoon due to rain.
- 2022: Race extended due to NASCAR overtime.
Summer race
NASCAR Busch Series | |
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Venue | Martinsville Speedway |
Corporate sponsor | Goody's Powder |
First race | 2006 |
Last race | 2006 |
Distance | 78.9 miles (127.0 km) |
Laps | 250 |
The Goody's 250 was the name given for the second-tier series' one-off return to the track in 2006, after an absence since 1994, held during the summer of that year. It had been speculated the race would be held at night, under a temporary lighting system to be installed at the track, but it was held in the afternoon instead. The event replaced the ITT Industries & Goulds Pumps Salute to the Troops 250 at Pikes Peak International Raceway on the Busch Series schedule. The race was replaced in 2007 by the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The race was the final start in NASCAR for Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Craven.
Year | Date | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Race Results | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laps | Miles (km) | ||||||||
2006 | July 22 | Kevin Harvick | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 250 | 131.5 (211.628) | 2:09:03 | 61.139 | Report |
September race
NASCAR Busch Series | |
---|---|
Venue | Martinsville Speedway |
Corporate sponsor | Zerex Antifreeze |
First race | 1982 |
Last race | 1990 |
Distance | 78.9 miles (127.0 km) |
Laps | 150 |
Previous names | Autumn 150 (1982–1983) Nationwise 150 (1986–1987) Advance Auto 150 (1988) Zerex 150 (1989–1990) |
The Zerex 150 was a NASCAR Busch Series stock car race held at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia. It was first held during the inaugural season for the Busch Series in 1982, as well as 1983. It was removed from the schedule in 1984, but returned in 1986. It was removed permanently following the 1990 season. It was a third Busch Series race at Martinsville in the seasons it was held, scheduled after the Miller 500 held early in the season, and about one month prior to the Advance Auto 500, the final race of the season. With a distance of 150 laps, 78.9 miles (127.0 km), it was the shortest of Martinsville's three Busch races.
Year | Date | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laps | Miles (km) | ||||||||
1982 | September 25 | Sam Ard | Thomas Brothers Racing | Oldsmobile | 150 | 78.75 (126.735) | 0:59.25 | 79.607 | [3] |
1983 | September 24 | Sam Ard | Thomas Brothers Racing | Oldsmobile | 150 | 78.75 (126.735) | 1:18.57 | 59.848 | [4] |
1984 – 1985 |
Not held | ||||||||
1986 | September 21 | Tommy Houston | Arndt Racing | Buick | 150 | 78.9 (126.977) | 1:06:30 | 71.188 | [5] |
1987 | September 26 | Rick Mast | A.G. Dillard Motorsports | Pontiac | 150 | 78.9 (126.977) | 1:10:12 | 67.436 | [6] |
1988 | September 24 | Harry Gant | Whitaker Racing | Buick | 150 | 78.9 (126.977) | 1:14:29 | 63.558 | [7] |
1989 | September 23 | Tommy Houston | Arndt Racing | Buick | 150 | 78.9 (126.977) | 1:02:09 | 76.171 | [8] |
1990 | September 22 | Jeff Burton | Sam Ard | Buick | 150 | 78.9 (126.977) | 1:11:28 | 66.241 | [9] |
Fall race
NASCAR Xfinity Series | |
---|---|
Venue | Martinsville Speedway |
Corporate sponsor | Dead On Tools[10] |
First race | 1970 (Late Model) |
First Xfinity Series race | 1982 |
Distance | 157.8 mi (254.0 km) |
Laps | 250 Stages 1/2: 60 each Final stage: 130 |
Previous names | Cardinal 500 Classic (1970–1984) Winn-Dixie 500 (1985–1986) Winston Classic (1987–1992) Advance Auto Parts 500 (1993) Advance Auto 500 (1994) Draft Top 250 (2020) |
Most wins (driver) | Harry Gant (2) |
Most wins (team) | Whitaker Racing (2) Thomas Brothers Racing (2) Joe Gibbs Racing (2) |
Most wins (manufacturer) | Pontiac (5) |
The Dead On Tools 250 is a NASCAR Xfinity Series stock car race held at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Originally a Late Model race when it began in 1970, it joined the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman touring series in 1982 (the original year), and remained a part of the series through 1994. Following the 1994 season, both of Martinsville's races, the Miller 500 and the Advance Auto 500, were switched to a late model-only race with the ValleyStar Credit Union 300. The Advance Auto 500 served as the final race of the season for the series for ten years, from 1982 through 1991. The track was given a date on the Xfinity Series schedule again starting in 2020, after a brief one-off return in 2006.
History
The race changed distances several times in its history. From its inception until 1984, the twin feature races was 250 laps for each division, covering 131.2 miles (211.1 km). When both the Modified and Late Model Sportsman cars had both become touring format races, the local Late Model feature reduced the Modified and Busch features in 1985 to 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km). After Modifieds were dropped in 1993 in light of early 1990s safety issues, the distance was increased to 300 laps, 157.8 miles (254.0 km), while the Late Model race increased to 200 laps, when it changed in 1994 to 300 laps. When the 1st revival occurred the race was changed to 250 laps & now for the 2nd revival it will go remain to 250 laps.
As was the tradition at Martinsville, the two non-Cup race weekends featured two or three races that totaled 500 laps, a tradition still in place today by the now-Late Model only race, with qualifying races totaling 100 laps and a 200-lap feature.
The Xfinity Series returned to Martinsville in 2020 for a night race at the track in the fall as part of a triple-header with the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series. It was the second-to-last race of the season.[11] Draft Top was the title sponsor of the 250 lap race.[12] Dead On Tools will be the title sponsor of the race in 2021.[13]
Year | Date | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Race Results | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Laps | Miles (km) | ||||||||
1982 | October 31 | Butch Lindley | Emanuel Zervakis | Pontiac | 250 | 131.25 (211.226) | 2:08:12 | 61.420 | Report |
1983 | October 30 | Sam Ard | Thomas Brothers Racing | Oldsmobile | 250 | 131.25 (211.226) | 2:10:03 | 60.669 | Report |
1984 | October 28 | Morgan Shepherd | Lindy White | Pontiac | 250 | 131.5 (211.628) | 2:10:23 | 60.513 | Report |
1985 | October 27 | Tommy Ellis | Eric Freedlander | Pontiac | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:26:01 | 73.831 | Report |
1986 | November 2 | Brett Bodine | Thomas Brothers Racing | Oldsmobile | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:28:29 | 71.335 | Report |
1987 | November 1 | Jimmy Hensley | Sam Ard | Buick | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:27:10 | 72.413 | Report |
1988 | October 30 | Harry Gant | Whitaker Racing | Buick | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:33:08 | 65.083 | Report |
1989 | October 29 | L.D. Ottinger | Parker Racing | Pontiac | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:31:56 | 68.658 | Report |
1990 | October 28 | Steve Grissom | Grissom Racing Enterprises | Oldsmobile | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:25:16 | 74.026 | Report |
1991 | October 27 | Harry Gant | Whitaker Racing | Buick | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:20:16 | 78.637 | Report |
1992 | October 18 | Bobby Labonte | Labonte Motorsports | Chevrolet | 200 | 105.2 (169.302) | 1:32:57 | 67.907 | Report |
1993 | October 17 | Chuck Bown | Hensley Motorsports | Pontiac | 300 | 157.8 (253.954) | 2:12:59 | 71.197 | Report |
1994 | October 16 | Kenny Wallace | FILMAR Racing | Ford | 300 | 157.8 (253.954) | 2:15:39 | 69.797 | Report |
1995 – 2019 |
Not held | ||||||||
2020 | October 31 | Harrison Burton | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 250 | 131.5 (211.628) | 2:07:56 | 61.673 | Report |
2021 | October 30 | Noah Gragson | JR Motorsports | Chevrolet | 257* | 135.182 (217.553) | 2:10:48 | 62.01 | Report |
2022 | October 29 | Ty Gibbs | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota | 269* | 141.494 (227.711) | 2:20:32 | 60.401 | Report |
2023 | October 28 | Report |
- 2021 & 2022: Race extended due to NASCAR overtime.
Multiple winners
Drivers
# Wins | Driver | Years Won |
---|---|---|
5 | Sam Ard | Spring: 1982, 1983 September: 1982, 1983 Fall: 1983 |
3 | Jimmy Hensley | Spring: 1988, 1991 Fall: 1987 |
Harry Gant | September: 1988 Fall: 1988, 1991 | |
Tommy Houston | Spring: 1990 September: 1986, 1989 | |
3 | Brett Bodine | Spring: 1985 Fall: 1986 |
Morgan Shepherd | Spring: 1986 Fall: 1984 | |
Tommy Ellis | Spring: 1989 Fall: 1985 | |
Kenny Wallace | Spring: 1992 Fall: 1994 |
Teams
# Wins | Team | Years Won |
---|---|---|
6 | Thomas Brothers Racing | Spring: 1982, 1983 September: 1982, 1983 Fall: 1983, 1986 |
4 | Whitaker Racing | Spring: 1986 September: 1988 Fall: 1988, 1991 |
Joe Gibbs Racing | Spring: 2022, 2023 Fall: 2020, 2022 | |
3 | Sam Ard | Spring: 1988 September: 1990 Fall: 1987 |
2 | Arndt Racing | September: 1986, 1987 |
A.G. Dillard Motorsports | Spring: 1993 September: 1987 | |
Labonte Motorsports | Spring: 1994 Fall: 1992 | |
JR Motorsports | Spring: 2021 Fall: 2021 |
Manufacturer wins
# Wins | Make | Years Won |
---|---|---|
11 | Buick | Spring: 1988,-1990, 1993 September: 1986, 1988-1990 Fall: 1987, 1988, 1991 |
10 | Pontiac | Spring: 1984-1986, 1992 September: 1987 Fall: 1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1993 |
8 | Oldsmobile | Spring: 1982, 1983, 1991 September: 1982, 1983 Fall: 1983, 1986, 1990 |
6 | Chevrolet | Spring: 1987, 1994, 2021 Summer: 2006 Fall: 1992, 2021 |
4 | Toyota | Spring: 2022, 2023 Fall: 2020, 2022 |
1 | Ford | Fall: 1994 |
References
- "Stage lengths for 2021 NASCAR season". NASCAR. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- "Martinsville Speedway to Host 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Races on April 9, 2021 & Draft Top 250 on Oct. 30, 2021". Martinsville Speedway. October 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
- "1982 Autumn 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "1983 Autumn 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "1986 Nationwise 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "1987 Nationwise 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "1988 Advance Auto 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "1989 Zerex 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "1990 Zerex 150". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- "Dead on Tools Returning to Sponsor Fall Xfinity Series Race at Martinsville". 31 January 2022.
- "Martinsville Speedway lands tripleheader playoff weekend". AP. April 3, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- "Martinsville Speedway & Draft Top Partner on Entitlement for Draft Top 250". Martinsville Speedway (Press release). October 13, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
- "Dead On Tools Teams Up with Martinsville Speedway to Sponsor Penultimate Xfinity Race". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 2, 2021.
External links
- Martinsville Speedway race results at Racing-Reference