MARTINSVILLE,
Va. (March 2, 2005)
–
After a two-year
hiatus, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to
Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, for a 250-lap event on
Sept. 3. The race will be held in combination with
NASCAR’s newly-formed Southern Modified Tour, with
drivers earning championship points in both series.
Modified racing has
long been part of Martinsville’s history, even before
the formation of the Whelen Modified Tour in 1985 and
before the beginning of NASCAR itself. Modifieds were
the first division to race on the track in 1947.
In another new twist,
the race will be the first event held at nighttime,
under the lights, at Martinsville.
“For years we’ve been
almost constantly asked when Martinsville was going to
get lights,” said Martinsville Speedway President
Clay Campbell. “Well, now we know, at least for one
night. We couldn’t think of a more exciting show to
bring in under the lights than the Whelen Modified Tour.
It’s always been a fun series to watch here, but the
lights are just going to add another dimension.”
As a combination race
with the NASCAR Southern Modified Tour, participating
drivers will receive championship points respective to
their own regular series, regardless of overall finish.
For example, the highest finishing Whelen Modified Tour
driver will receive 180 Whelen Modified Tour points,
while the highest finishing Southern Modified Tour
driver will receive 180 points towards the Southern
Modified Tour standings, regardless of their overall
finishing position in the race.
“Teams, drivers and
fans from both the North and the South have been waiting
for this event,” said Don Hawk, NASCAR’s director
of regional racing development. “Modified racing at
Martinsville, under the lights, it doesn’t get any more
exciting than that. Martinsville is one of the great
short track venues in the nation, and this will be one
race that our fans will remember for a long time.”
Forty-three cars will
compete in the race. Bud Pole qualifying will be held on
Friday evening, Sept. 2, with starting positions 1-20
determined by time trials. Provisional starting
positions will be granted for positions 21-28, with five
provisionals for the Whelen Modified Tour teams and
three provisionals for Southern Modified Tour teams. The
provisionals are based on current car owner point
standings for each series.
Prior to the 250-lap
main event on Saturday, all remaining non-qualified
teams will participate in a 50-lap “last chance”
qualifying race to determine starting positions 29-43.
Including the 50-lap qualifying race, all teams will
have a chance to race on the famous .526-mile track, and
Martinsville’s new surface should have plenty of room of
racing. Since the Modifieds last visited Martinsville,
the old track surface has been replaced with new asphalt
and concrete.
The Southern Modified
Tour cars are identical to the Whelen Modified Tour
cars. The Southern Modified Tour cars use a different
tire compound for all other Southern Modified Tour
events, but all cars will use the same Hoosier tires at
Martinsville.
The Whelen Modified
Tour has raced at Martinsville throughout its 21-year
history. The Tour’s most recent visit to Martinsville
was Oct. 19, 2002, with L.W. Miller capturing the
win ahead of Rick Fuller. Other Whelen Modified
Tour winners at Martinsville include Mike Ewanitsko
(March 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001), Reggie Ruggiero
(March 1987, March 1990, 1999, 2000), Satch Worley
(March 1992), Mike Stefanik (Oct. 1991, Oct.
1992), Jeff Fuller (Oct. 1989, March 1991),
Tony Hirschman (Oct. 1990), Mike McLaughlin
(March 1988), Tom Baldwin (Oct. 1988), George
Kent (Nov. 1987), Brett Bodine (March 1986),
Charlie Jarzombek (April 1985, Nov. 1986) and
John Bryant (Oct. 1985).
Ø
Under the Lights at Martinsville
… Musco
Lighting will supply the temporary lighting for the
Sept. 3 event. Musco is the most experienced lighting
company in racing, having erected lights at 12 major
NASCAR venues since 1986. Four Musco Mobile lighting
trucks will supply more than 36,000,000 lumens of light
for the race.
