07/31/06

FANS HAVE A LOT TO DO WHILE IN MARTINSVILLE FOR
'MADE IN AMERICA 300'

    Racing is obviously the key ingredient of the Made In American Whelen 300 at Martinsville Speedway Labor Day weekend, but fans can find plenty of activities when they are away from the track.

    The Made In America Whelen 300 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race is scheduled for it’s second running under the lights on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Martinsville Speedway.

     “The Whelen 300 and the activities around it are a lot of fun for fans, but fans should plan on coming early and staying late that weekend,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “So many race fans know Martinsville as a race town, but there’s so much more to do in Martinsville and Henry County. We’ve got rivers, lakes, a state park, campgrounds, hiking trails and museums. There’s enough inexpensive fun here to keep a family busy all weekend.”

    Practice and qualifying for the Whelen 300 are set for late Friday, with Saturday’s action beginning at 7 p.m., leaving fans a lot of time to explore the area.

    For camping and exploring the outdoors, fans could visit Philpott Lake or Fairystone State Park or take a guided kayak or canoe trip on the Smith River or take a day trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

    The Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville offers a unique glimpse into the past while the Piedmont Arts Association always has an exhibit or two open to browse. The Stone Cross Museum displays many types of the unique Fairystones found in the area of  Fairystone State Park.

    More information on the area may be found online at www.visitmartinsville.com.

    The first on-track action for the Made In America Whelen 300 will be a 90-minute practice session at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1. Time trials are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. followed by an autograph session in the infield.

    Happy hour is set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2. The 50-lap Chatlee Boats last chance race is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the Made In America Whelen 300 set to take the green at 8:30 p.m.

    Tickets for the Made In American Whelen 300 are $20 and may be purchased in advance by calling 877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.racetickets.com online. Tickets for pole day are $5 and may be purchased the day of qualifying.

Source:  Mike Smith/Martinsville Speedway PR
Posted:  July 31, 2006