Biffle, Burton, Edwards say they're still in Chase hunt Oct 21, 2008
This on a beautiful fall afternoon at Martinsville Speedway where Johnson ripped the field for his sixth win of the year. Biffle had a bad day but rallied to finish 12th, though he is now in tough shape against Johnson, 149 points down, second in the Sprint Cup standings. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Palins husband gets look at racing on wheels Oct 20, 2008
Todd Palin, the first dude of Alaska, toured the garage area at Martinsville Speedway, met several drivers and was introduced to fans before the race. Its just a thrill for us to be down here and Ill leave my telephone number with any NASCAR racer if they want to come up and go run with us, Palin said during a brief session with the media. (MSNBC -- Sports)
NASCAR official found dead in hotel room Oct 20, 2008
He was scheduled to work at Sunday's TUMS Quikpak 500 at Martinsville Speedway. A moment of silence was held before the race. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Johnson's title hopes rise with convincing Martinsville win Oct 20, 2008
Jimmie Johnson keeps his Chevy in front of Jeff Gordon's at Martinsville Speedway ... served up another dish of Martinsville Speedway mastery, winning Sunday's Tums QuikPak 500 with his most dominant performance at the track that teammate jokingly suggested should be Johnson's nickname. (USA Today -- Sports)
Johnson improves position for title Oct 20, 2008
After things shook out Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, he can't be blamed if does drop his guard a little. . (Herald Sun)
Jimmie Johnson Dominates Again at Martinsville Oct 20, 2008
The two-time defending series champion led 339 laps as he and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates dominated once more on the oldest, smallest and trickiest circuit in the Sprint Cup Series. Stay on top of breaking news. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Johnson Dominant At Martinsville, Adds To Points Lead Oct 20, 2008
- (Sports Network) - Jimmie Johnson won Sunday's Tums QuikPak 500 with a dominating performance at the Martinsville Speedway. The No.48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet driver and two-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion led 339 of 504 laps and held off teammate Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in a green-white-checkered finish. (ABC 7 News, DC)
NASCAR: Johnson's win stretches lead Oct 20, 2008
Johnson led 339 laps Sunday as he and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates again dominated at Martinsville Speedway. The two-time defending Sprint Cup champion padded his lead in his bid for a record-tying third championship in a row with four races left. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Auto racing (7) Oct 20, 2008
At Martinsville Speedway. Martinsville, Va. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Bad timing trips up Burton and Biffle Oct 20, 2008
Jeff Burton, who won the previous race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, and Greg Biffle had cars capable of contending for the win late in Sunday's Tums QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Neither had a horrible day, but both got caught up in circumstances that significantly contributed to the large gap both face between themselves and Johnson in the standings. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Johnson rolls to latest win Oct 20, 2008
After winning yet another race at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, more than doubling his lead in the Chase for the Sprint Cup standings in the process, NASCAR's two-time defending champion believes complacency might be his biggest opponent. That, of course, is not a bad spot to be in. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Johnson continues his Martinsville domination Oct 20, 2008
Johnson led 339 laps Sunday as he and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates again dominated at Martinsville Speedway, and the two-time defending Sprint Cup champion padded his lead in his bid for a record-tying third championship in a row with four races remaining. Only Cale Yarborough, from 1976-78, has won three straight championships in stock car racing's premier series, and Johnson is looking more and more as if he'll be the second. (News & Observer -- Sports)
J.J. wins at Martinsville, increases lead Oct 20, 2008
Jimmie Johnson led 339 laps to win at Martinsville Speedway ... Johnson led 339 laps Sunday as he and his Hendrick Motorsports teammates again dominated at Martinsville Speedway, and the two-time defending Sprint Cup champion padded his lead in his bid for a record-tying third championship in a row with four races remaining. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Johnson extends his lead in Chase Oct 20, 2008
An overpowering victory in Sunday's TUMS QuikPak 500 at the Martinsville Speedway extended his lead in the Chase for the Championship to 149 points - and even closer to a record-tying third consecutive series title. Even by Johnson's standards - he had won three of the last four races at the half-mile short track - Sunday's win was impressive. (Florida Times-Union)
Here we go again? Johnson looking hard to beat Oct 19, 2008
(AP) -Martinsville Speedway is the place where Jimmie Johnson started his four-race winning streak a year ago on his way to his second consecutive championship. As rain fell Friday and wiped out qualifying, putting the points-leading Johnson on the pole for the second week in a row, the drivers closest to him in the Chase for the Sprint Cup couldn't help but wonder if a third straight title was almost a foregone conclusion. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Benson wins, grabs truck series points lead Oct 19, 2008
(AP) -Johnny Benson passed Ron Hornaday Jr. with 46 laps to go and won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. Benson moved into the series lead with his fifth victory of the season. (MSNBC -- Sports)
RACE RESULTS: Kroger 200 Oct 19, 2008
Results Saturday for the Kroger 200 race for NASCAR's Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville Speedway, listing starting position in parentheses, driver, truck, laps completed with reason out if not running at the finish, points earned, driver rating and money won. 1. (USA Today -- Sports)
Benson takes points lead with trucks win Oct 19, 2008
(AP) passed with 46 laps to go and won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. Benson moved into the series lead with his fifth victory of the season. (USA Today -- Sports)
Points Leader Hornaday Grabs Pole For Martinsville Oct 19, 2008
The No.33 Chevrolet driver and defending Craftsman Truck Series champion rounded the half-mile track in 19. Stay on top of breaking news. (ABC 7 News, DC)
NASCAR: Johnson closing in on third title Oct 19, 2008
--- Martinsville Speedway is the place where Jimmie Johnson started his four-race winning streak a year ago on his way to his second consecutive championship. As rain fell Friday and wiped out qualifying, putting the points-leading Johnson on the pole for the second week in a row, the drivers closest to him in the Chase for the Championship had to wonder if a third title in a row was a foregone conclusion. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Photos: Martinsville weekend Oct 19, 2008
Ron Hornaday Jr., driver of the #33 Camping World Chevrolet and Todd Bodine, driver of the #30 Lumberliquidators Toyota lead the field at the start of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Kroger 200 at Martinsville Speedway on October 18, 2008 in Martinsville, Virginia. Chris Graythen - Getty Images. (Fox Sports)
Benson stays off the gas Oct 19, 2008
Advertisements The Associated Press Johnny Benson got what he was after -- a NASCAR Truck Series victory at Martinsville Speedway -- and more in Saturday's Kroger 200 at Martinsville, Va. Benson passed Ron Hornaday on Lap 155 to take the lead for the first time all day -- and for the first time ever in a truck race at Martinsville -- then held on the rest of the way to get his fifth victory of the season. (News & Observer -- Sports)
NASCAR needs to fund development Oct 19, 2008
It has four cars entered in today's Tums QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway, but only one of those has sponsorship set for the 2009 season. But DEI, and many other teams with similar programs, could soon find itself having to balance its commitment to providing opportunities for young drivers against more immediate issues regarding their financial future. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Auto racing | Johnny Benson grabs fifth victory, Truck Series lead Oct 19, 2008
Johnny Benson passed Ron Hornaday Jr. with 46 laps to go and won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday ... Johnny Benson passed Ron Hornaday Jr. with 46 laps to go and won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
TODAY'S EVENTS Oct 19, 2008
At Martinsville Speedway: Sprint Cup, TUMS QuikPak 500, 1 p.m.. HARNESS RACING. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Johnson on quest for third straight Chase Oct 19, 2008
- Martinsville Speedway is the place where Jimmie Johnson started his four-race winning streak a year ago on his way to his second consecutive championship ... - Martinsville Speedway is the place where Jimmie Johnson started his four-race winning streak a year ago on his way to his second consecutive championship. (Athens Banner-Herald)
NASCAR: Johnson's luck continues to hold (Today) Oct 19, 2008
Martinsville Speedway is the place where Jimmie Johnson started his four-race winning streak a year ago on his way to his second consecutive championship ... Johnny Benson passed Ron Hornaday Jr. with 46 laps to go and won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Bullring awaits drivers Oct 19, 2008
But little has changed at fabled Martinsville Speedway since it hosted its first NASCAR race in 1949 - including its tendency to inflict fury on both man and machine. At a little more than a half-mile, Martinsville is the smallest track on the Sprint Cup Series schedule. (Florida Times-Union)
Rain ensures prime pit placement for Chase drivers at Martinsville Oct 18, 2008
Rain falls on the frontstretch at Martinsville Speedway, putting a halt to Friday's qualifying ... Despite a forecast for rain Friday in southwest Virginia, and spent much of the week trying not to think about Sprint Cup qualifying being canceled at Martinsville Speedway. (USA Today -- Sports)
LINEUP: Tums QuikPak 500 Oct 18, 2008
MARTINSVILLE,Virginia (AP) Lineup Friday after qualifying was canceled by rain for NASCAR's Tums Quikpak 500 on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway (car number in parentheses). 1. (USA Today -- Sports)
REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: Edwards eager to regain stride Oct 18, 2008
Sandwiched in between was a scuffle with fellow driver (one of those he wrecked) in the Nationwide Series garage at Lowe's, which is why Edwards was hoping for sunshine through Friday's showers at Martinsville Speedway. He got one ray of hope when qualifying for Sunday's Tums QuikPak 500 was washed out and the field was set on points, ensuring his best-ever start on the half-mile paper clip. (USA Today -- Sports)
Notebook: Biffle says he wants Johnson's luck Oct 18, 2008
"The economy is in a dire situation," Earnhardt said as a steady rain kept fans away from Martinsville Speedway. "It is pretty severe and there is a good chance it is going to continue to get worse. I don't see how it cannot affect every corner and every piece of the puzzle.". (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Martinsville Qualifying Rained Out Oct 18, 2008
Stay on top of breaking news. Sign up for ABC 7 News e-mail alerts. (ABC 7 News, DC)
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE SPORTS BUDGET Oct 18, 2008
WHITEHEAD (Whitehead, SHNS -- Column) -- Good-guy Jeff Burton heading home to Virginia and beloved Martinsville Speedway. 490. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
Todd Palin Coming To Va. Oct 18, 2008
The Tums Quikpak 500 is being held at the Martinsville Speedway. Sarah Palin spoke Monday at a rally at Richmond International Speedway. (WTVR.com, VA)
FCC buys NASCAR ads to publicize digital TV Oct 17, 2008
The price tag covers a race Sunday at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, another in Phoenix and a third in Miami and includes the posting of along the track, on the car's sides and on the driver's helmet and suit. The market rate for the package is around $450,000. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Mark BeechRACING FAN Oct 17, 2008
Martinsville Speedway. Kurt Busch talks about the physical nature of passing at Martinsville: "I hope that I have a fast enough car to be moving guys out of the way. This race track, whether you're driving an Allison legacy car or late model or even in the truck series, the front bumpers to the rear bumpers have always matched up to the point where you can lift somebody's tires up or get them loose in the fashion that you are racing him. It's not a life or death situation. With this new car,... (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Non-Chase racers keeping their cool Oct 17, 2008
" Through the first five playoff races, there have been no serious issues between Chase and non-Chase drivers. But that can easily change Sunday during a 500-lap race around the paperclip-like, half-mile Martinsville Speedway track. It doesn't play favorites with anyone - playoffs or not. Two weeks ago, drivers were anxious at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway because that track has a history of multi-car crashes that can cripple, if not eliminate, playoff hopes. Martinsville spurs the same kind of... (Florida Times-Union)
Gordon, Kenseth winning streaks in jeopardy Oct 16, 2008
"But you can run good every week and still not win.''Neither Gordon nor Kenseth has had much go their way this season. Kenseth had a strong run at Talladega until teammate Carl Edwards triggered a 12-car accident that collected Kenseth. At the time of the accident, Kenseth, Edwards and Greg Biffle were all racing for the lead with 14 laps to go.Gordon hit the wall twice at the start of Saturday night's race at Lowe's and fell a lap down minutes into the event. But he battled back, led 47 laps... (MSNBC -- Sports)
Gordon, Kenseth searching for wins in last races Oct 16, 2008
He's moving forward to Martinsville Speedway this weekend confident he'll break his losing streak. Of the five remaining tracks, Gordon has won everywhere but Texas and Homestead. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Johnson enjoys view from atop the Chase for the Sprint Cup Oct 15, 2008
once might have agreed being atop the Chase wasn't such an enviable position with five races remaining, but the two-time defending champion is pleased to be in first by 69 points heading into Sunday's Tums QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway. "In the past I've really felt (the pressure)," said Johnson, who described the points lead as "a huge burden" during the inaugural Chase in 2004. (USA Today -- Sports)
SAVVY DRIVING: Burton used pits wisely in win Oct 13, 2008
"That's not what they pay me to do," said Allmendinger, who will move to the No. 10 Dodge next week at Martinsville Speedway for the final five races of the season but has nothing signed for 2009. "The guys made a good adjustment on a pit stop and I wanted to get up in the front. I just feel like an idiot. I probably wasn't patient enough, and I feel bad. It was all me.". (USA Today -- Sports)
Underdog Burton begins Chase campaign in earnest Oct 13, 2008
In his first Chase two years ago, Burton led the points for four races before an engine failure in the sixth race, at Martinsville Speedway. Though he returns to Martinsville this weekend a notch lower in the rankings, the South Boston, Va. (USA Today -- Sports)
Weather may dash hopes Oct 10, 2008
HERMIE SADLER WILL DRIVE AT MARTINSVILLE: Hermie Sadler will temporarily work double duty as a TV commentator and a race car driver when he returns to racing in the Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event Oct. 18 at Martinsville Speedway. Sadler, a University of North Carolina alum, is in has second year as a NASCAR analyst for the Speed Channel and for DirecTV, and he is a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling personality. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Bodine Wins Thrilling Truck Race At Talladega Oct 5, 2008
The next race is scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, at the half-mile Martinsville Speedway. Copyright 2008 The Sports NetworkAll rights reserved. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Suddenly, Busch is struggling Sep 25, 2008
"So far, we've made really good decisions and Red Bull has made great decisions for me my whole career. I trust that when they think I am ready they will make the right choice."SOUTH RISES -- GETS DQ'D: It appeared Burt Myers of Walnut Cove made history when he crossed the finish line first in Saturday's 300-lap NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Martinsville Speedway. But not so fast. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Goodyear testing at Brickyard Sep 20, 2008
MODIFIEDS AT MARTINSVILLE: The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will run the 500th race in its history and 1956 NASCAR Modified champion Red Farmer, a member of the famed Alabama Gang, will be honored today at Martinsville Speedway. The 43-car Made In America Whelen 300 field gets the green flag 3:30 p.m. The winner will take home the Virginia track's coveted grandfather clock prize. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Trucks brawl brings fines Sep 18, 2008
for academic lessons in the morning, then have four afternoons of motorsports training with simulators and cars at tracks such as Martinsville Speedway, South Boston Speedway and Virginia International Raceway. The school is for students in grades 9 through 12. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Read more... Sep 5, 2008
The following racetracks will participate in events (all events will occur on September 11, 2008 unless otherwise noted): Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Auto Club Speedway, Chicagoland Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Daytona International Speedway, Dover International Speedway (Sept 21), Elko Speedway, Gateway International Raceway (Sept 6), Homestead-Miami Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Iowa Speedway, Kansas Speedway (Sept 9), Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway,... (PNN Online)
Logano to drive in 7 Sprint Cup races Aug 28, 2008
Hall of Fame Racing announced Wednesday that Logano will then drive in the No. 96 Toyota in five more races: at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 14, at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 28, at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Oct. 11, at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 18 and at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 2. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Modified title joust resumes at Langley Aug 15, 2008
Late Model Stock Cars will be heading west that weekend for their division's "Super Bowl" - the Bailey's 300 at Martinsville Speedway. Reader Comments. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Big NASCAR events lined up at Martinsville Jul 17, 2008
MARTINSVILLE - It's the middle of the summer, but racing fans are already looking ahead to Martinsville Speedway's fantastic fall schedule ... The TUMS QuikPak 500, the sixth stop in the Chase for the Sprint Cup, is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19, the final of four Martinsville Speedway races this fall ... The fall action kicks off at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 20, with the Made In America Whelen 300 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
Chip Ganassi shuts down Franchitti's team Jul 3, 2008
Montoya and Sorenson have scored just a pair of top-10s each, while Franchitti's best finish was 22nd at Martinsville Speedway. For Ganassi, a Pittsburgh-based team owner whose only business is racing, he reached a point where he and co-owner Felix Sabates had to stop the bleeding on Franchitti's team or risk his other two teams suffering because of it. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Franchitti gets shut down Jul 2, 2008
" Ganassi's other two Sprint Cups teams are driven by Juan Pablo Montoya, in his second NASCAR season, and Reed Sorenson, who's in the final year of his contract. Montoya is 20th in the standings and Sorenson is 32nd. The entire No. 40 team was shut down, which resulted in 71 layoffs that included managing director of operations John Fernandez, Ganassi said. Steven Lane, crew chief for Franchitti's team, was not among those laid off. Ganassi said Franchitti was disappointed but understood the... (Athens Banner-Herald)
NASCAR Nation Jun 22, 2008
" By 1997, the track was running two top- level races, and in 2004 the autumn race was made part of NASCAR's Chase for the Championship playoff series.Bahre worked it out with the town over dozens of breakfasts at The Eggshell. (The neighboring village of Canterbury has always cast a more jaundiced eye on the enterprise.) The track expanded as the sport did, Bahre wandering through the multitudes of people in his yellow sweater and his black wingtips. The track developed its own lore, for good... (Boston Globe)
NASCAR notes Jun 5, 2008
Burton took over the points lead after posting a third-place finish at Martinsville Speedway and held it for the next four weeks. However, his 11th-place finish at Richmond cost him one spot when Busch took second. (USA Today -- Sports)
NASCAR still looking for its Danica Patrick or Ashley Force May 20, 2008
She was a respectable 18th in her debut at tricky Martinsville Speedway and hopes improvement over her next several races will lead to the funding she needs to run a full schedule next season. You have to have decent finishes and win races to attract a sponsor, Chrissy Wallace said. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
AUTO RACING PACKAGE: Auto Racing Glance May 14, 2008
Fast facts: Kyle Busch, a two-time winner in 2008, returns to the series after missing the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway. Busch gave up the points lead when he missed Kansas because of a scheduling conflict. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Hamilton savoring return to IRL seat May 8, 2008
MARTINSVILLE IMPROVING: Fans and competitors will be the beneficiaries of more than $2 million in improvements planned for Martinsville Speedway. The projects are expected to be completed before the Oct.19 running of the Sprint Cup TUMS QuikPack 500, speedway president Clay Campbell said. (News & Observer -- Sports)
NASCAR Q&A May 2, 2008
Hamlin has built a pretty stout in-state record, and that finally paid off with last month's win at Martinsville Speedway. His Richmond r. (USA Today -- Sports)
Globalization, trade and recession take a toll on Martinsville, Virginia Apr 11, 2008
NASCAR's venerable half-mile Martinsville Speedway, which ran its first race on July 4, 1948, is also being used to attract more auto racing businesses. But the new jobs aren't coming fast enough to keep pace with the ones that are being lost. (Anchorage Daily News)
Ill-handling cars in Samsung draw complaints Apr 7, 2008
After having to qualify on time at Martinsville Speedway, he drove to a season-best eighth-place finish in the No. 26 Ford. Cup rookie Sam Hornish Jr., the former open-wheel champion driving for Roger Penske, moved up two spots to 34th and is guaranteed a spot in Saturday night's race at Phoenix. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
McDowell finds stardom after crash Apr 6, 2008
He debuted last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway with a decent run for a rookie on a difficult short track. But when his desire not to lose another lap interfered with Burton's attempt to pass, the 23-year-old newcomer angered the veteran. (MSNBC -- Sports)
A harrowing ride Apr 6, 2008
"The wreck during Friday's qualifying session capped an auspicious first week on the job for McDowell. He debuted last Sunday at Martinsville Speedway with a decent run for a rookie on a difficult short track. But when his desire not to lose another lap interfered with Burton's attempt to pass, the 23-year-old newcomer angered the veteran.Burton offered a blistering critique of McDowell immediately after the race, and the criticism spoiled what should have been a shining moment for McDowell, who... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Questions arise as McCumbee replaces Kyle Petty in Texas Apr 5, 2008
On the heels of failing to qualify at Martinsville Speedway and General Mills, primary sponsor of teammate 's famed No. 43 Charger, announcing its departure after the '08 season, McCumbee's qualifying laps weren't quick enough to make the field of Sunday's Samsung 500 at the 1. 5-mile oval. (USA Today -- Sports)
