Drivers Revved Up On Return of Legends Million to Charlotte Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. (June 23, 2011) – Just one week after the announcement

was made about the second-annual Legends Million race at Charlotte Motor

Speedway, buzz is already beginning to circulate among drivers anxious for

another shot to win the prestigious race.

The Legends Million, held Aug. 1 and 2, will once again provide the

biggest Legend Car and Bandolero purse of the year and is expected to draw a

large field of competitors including some of the biggest names in racing.

 

Kevin Harvick, Inc. development driver Gray Gaulding made history in

2010 as the youngest competitor to run in the Legends Million at the tender

age of 12. The youngster is thrilled that Bruton Smith, chairman and CEO of

Speedway Motorsports, Inc., the parent company of Charlotte Motor Speedway

and U.S. Legend Cars International, is bringing the event back for a second

year.

“I first have to thank Bruton Smith for bringing back the Legends

Million,” said Gaulding. “You’ve got 300 cars trying to make a 30-car field.

It’s really special for the young talent coming up through the ranks to put

up that big of a check.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get a win. Last

year we had some bad luck with a coil going out, but there is always this

year.”

The 2009 U.S. Legend Cars International Semi-Pro Asphalt Oval

champion, Kenzie Ruston, shares a similar opinion with Gaulding.

“I was surprised to hear about the second-annual Legends Million,”

said Ruston. “It really shows how considerate Bruton is to put up that money

for a young kid to have the chance to win again. I haven’t been in a Legend

Car since the last Million, so I will just be happy to make the show and I’d

be thrilled with a top-10 finish.”

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan turned some heads in the

garage during Monday’s Summer Shootout practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway

when he showed up to run his No. 6 UPS Legend Car.

“With the second-annual Legends Million coming up it gives me an

opportunity to practice a little bit,” said Ragan. “I’ve got Aug. 1 and 2

kinda marked out in my calendar, so hopefully we can make it and get a

little practice that will go a long way.”

Last year, Ragan started on the outside pole for the feature event

and stayed near the front to take home a fourth-place finish.

Tyler Green, the 2010 Summer Shootout Pro division champion at

Charlotte Motor Speedway, is ready to improve upon his fifth-place finish

from last year’s $1 million race.

“I’m definitely excited that they are going to have another one,”

said Green. “It’s going to be a huge race again. I was disappointed in my

fifth-place finish last year because we ran a lot better through the season.

I just feel like we have a lot to prove in this year’s Million.”

Wentzville, Mo., native, Kyle Weatherman, finished 21st in the

inaugural event last year and is looking forward to a second chance to win

the big money.

“When they first announced the Legends Million race this year, I was

excited and I was pumped up because I feel like I struggled in the last

one,” said the 13-year-old Weatherman. “I think I can make an improvement

this year.”

Weatherman’s 12-year-old brother Clayton will make his first

appearance in the Legends Million this year after winning the Bandolero

Bandits feature at the event in 2010.

“When they came out with the second Legends Million, I was excited

because I didn’t think I was going to get to race one,” said the younger

Weatherman. “My brother got to do one last year and I didn’t get to because

I was too young. I’m just really excited and I think I can get a top five.”

Drivers can register for the Legends Million at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com. All Legend Car competitors 12 years of age

or older may register. The race is not restricted by division. All minors 17

or younger must complete a minor waiver, which is available for download at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/waivers.

Registration is free with the purchase of a new Legend Car from U.S.

Legend Cars International.

For additional information on competitor registration for the

Legends Million, visit http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call the Charlotte

Motor Speedway events department at (704) 455-3205. For more information

about U.S. Legend Cars International and Legend Cars, visit

http://www.uslegendscars.com or call U.S. Legend Cars International’s headquarters

at (704) 455-3896.

Tickets to the Legends Million race are just $10 for adults and

children 12 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets, call the

Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or go online

to http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at

http://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

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Luke and Associates Extend Partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing

Become Associate Partner for the No. 36 Chevrolet

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (June 27, 2011) – Tommy Baldwin Racing is pleased to announce that Florida-based Luke & Associates, Inc. extended the company’s partnership to include associate placement on the No. 36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevrolet driven by Dave Blaney. Luke & Associates previously announced a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing fielding the No. 35 Luke & Associates Chevrolet driven by Geoffrey Bodine for five races.

Luke & Associates will make the company’s debut on both the No. 36 and No. 35 Chevrolets at Daytona International Speedway for the Coke Zero 400 on July 2. Luke will run associate logos on the No. 36 Chevrolet for the duration of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season. The company will adorn the hood of the No. 35 Luke & Associates Chevrolet at Daytona International Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Talladega Superspeedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Luke & Associates, Inc. (Luke) is one of the largest providers of healthcare for the U.S. military and is rapidly expanding into national and local healthcare systems. Headquartered on the Space Coast of Florida, Luke formed in 2004 and has grown exponentially in the last six years. The company now has more than 1,300 medical and support personnel worldwide. Luke provides services for the U.S. military and private industry to include healthcare services, advisory and assistance services, technical services, engineering, staff augmentation and information management. Luke is responsible for recruiting, qualifying, hiring and retaining healthcare workers for positions that include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and ancillary personnel in addition to all dental positions. The company’s primary focus is the company values, which include integrity, innovation, communication, community and a focus on the employees.

“We really enjoy working together,” said Luke President/CEO Jim Barfield. “TBR is an excellent organization that shares the same values and ethics as Luke. The associate agreement for the 36 car helps expand our partnership and makes sense as we look forward to our future with TBR.”

“I’m excited that we have already seen the relationship grow,” said TBR owner Tommy Baldwin. “Luke has already seen a lot of positives. The are a great partner to work with, and we are looking forward to growing with them.”

About Luke & Associates, Inc.:

Founded in 2004, Luke & Associates, Inc. has grown to become one of the largest providers of health care for the U.S. military. Headquartered on the Space Coast of Florida, Luke employs more than 1,300 medical and support personnel and provides services for the U.S. Government as well as commercial entities nationwide. Luke has expanded into engineering, information technology and consulting/advisory services for the military and commercial entities.

In 2010, Luke earned the No. three spot out of the INC 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Luke placed No. one in government services for the United States, the second-largest business sector and first in generating jobs.

For more information on Luke & Associates, Inc., visit http://www.lukeassoc.com.

About Tommy Baldwin Racing:

Tommy Baldwin Racing was formed in 2009 by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief Tommy Baldwin. Baldwin utilized a slumping economy to open a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team with a stringent budget. The team competed in two full seasons with multiple drivers behind the wheel of the No. 36 Chevrolet and improved in the standings each year.

Based in Mooresville, N.C., TBR will compete in the full NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule in 2011 with NASCAR veteran Dave Blaney piloting the No. 36 Golden Corral Chevrolet. Looking to improve on-track performance, TBR found success early in the 2011 season with partners Golden Corral, Big Red and Accell Construction. TBR’s driver development program, Heinke-Baldwin Racing, will also compete in various NASCAR series in 2011.

For more information on Tommy Baldwin Racing, visit tommybaldwinracing.com or follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/TBR.HBR, and Twitter, twitter.com/TBR_Racing.

The Second Legends Million Race is Set

CONCORD, N.C. (June 17, 2011) – The second annual Legends Million

returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway Aug. 1 and 2. The largest grassroots

race in history will once again offer the largest Legend Car and Bandolero

purse of the year, as drivers do battle on the speedway’s frontstretch

quarter-mile oval.

Registration for the Legends Million begins today and is scheduled

to close on July 18. The purse structure for the 2011 Legends Million will

be prorated, based on total cars registered, so competitors are encouraged

to register early.

“As the car count goes up, the purse goes up,” said Don Hawk, vice

president of business affairs, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. “We’re asking

competitors to get their registration in as early as possible so we can get

the purse locked in.”

In the inaugural Legends Million last year, Kannapolis, N.C., native

Daniel Hemric was victorious, taking home an unprecedented $250,000. More

than 300 drivers from 36 states and two foreign countries, ranging from 12

to 72 years old, registered for the one-of-a-kind Legend Car race.

“These are the race cars that launched the careers of NASCAR drivers

like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano, David Ragan, Kurt Busch and Kyle

Busch,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor

Speedway. “The Legends Million is a great opportunity for fans to come to

the track and see the future stars of NASCAR compete in the largest Legend

Car race in the world. It’s also an excellent opportunity for young drivers

to get noticed and hopefully take their career to the next level.”

Registration links are available online at

http://www.charlottmotorspeedway.com and at http://www.uslegendscars.com. The cost to

register is $500. Competitors who purchase a new Legend Car from U.S. Legend

Cars International will receive free entry into the Legends Million.

Competitors participating in the Legends Million are registered in

one of three divisions: Young Lions/Semi-Pro, Masters or the Legends

Million, which is open to all drivers. Each division will run heat races and

an A-Main race, with the Legends Million A-Feature serving as the grand

finale of the two-day event.

Competitors will complete time trials to determine their starting

position in the heat races. Drivers will then progress to B-Mains based on

their finishing position in the heats. The starting lineup for each A-Main

will consist of heat race winners and the first-place finishers from the

B-Mains. A total of 30 competitors will race in the Legends Million

A-Feature event, which will be 100 laps with a 15-minute break at lap 50.

Bandolero Beginner Bandit, Bandit and Outlaw drivers will also have

the opportunity to compete in a Bandolero Triple Crown event, with heat lap

and feature events spanning both days.

The Legends Million is open to all Legend Car competitors, 12 years

of age or older and is not restricted by division. All minors 17 and younger

must complete a minor waiver, which is available for download at

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/waivers.

For additional information on the Legends Million, visit

http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call the Charlotte Motor Speedway events

department at (704) 455-3205. For more information about U.S. Legend Cars

International and Legend Cars, visit http://www.uslegendscars.com or call U.S.

Legend Cars International’s headquarters at (704) 455-3896.

Connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter at

http://www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan at

http://www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

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Get Ready for Night Chase Racing, Fan Fun This October at Charlotte Motor

       CONCORD, N.C. (Oct. 4, 2010) – Charlotte Motor Speedway is gearing
up for the only night race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup with the
Bank of America 500 on Oct. 16. Below are just some of the exciting
happenings fans can look forward to at the speedway ahead of all the racing
action:

Fans Given Unprecedented Access to Drivers with Special Ticket Packages
Building on its Fans First philosophy, Charlotte Motor Speedway is providing
an unprecedented number of opportunities for fans to get closer to the stars
of their favorite sport during Bank of America 500 Week, Oct. 13-16. Special
ticket packages will give fans the chance to see their favorite NASCAR
drivers and legends including Kasey Kahne or Kenny Wallace with the
OktoberFast package; Jamie McMurray with the Bass Pro Shops package; Richard
Petty and Junior Johnson with the Hall of Fame package; and Jeff Burton with
a Scout package. Visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for a full list of
ticket packages and promotions.

Popular Let the Troops Race Ticket Program Returns for Bank of America 500
Fans and companies are invited to purchase Bank of America 500 tickets for
the men and women of the U.S. armed services with the Let the Troops Race
ticket program. Charlotte Motor Speedway first launched the program during
its NASCAR races in May and received an overwhelming response. For just
$20.00 fans and businesses may donate a reserved seat to a soldier, Marine,
midshipmen, or airman by visiting www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or calling
the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Seats
will be provided to soldiers via the USO. In addition, special military
pricing is available for active duty and retired military personnel for the
major events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at
Charlotte by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or by visiting the box office on
race days.

CATS Route Offers Convenient Transportation To and From the Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is once again partnering with the Charlotte Area
Transit System, or CATS, in Charlotte, N.C., to bring bus service from
Center City Charlotte to the track. Starting from the Charlotte
Transportation Center, race fans can take the 79X Concord Mills Express to
beat the traffic and enjoy the Bank of America 500 at the speedway for just
$7 round-trip. The route will run every 20 minutes from noon to 6 p.m. on
Oct. 16. Return trips will begin immediately after the checkered flag as
race fans make their way to the buses near the track’s main entrance. To
purchase tickets or for more information visit the Charlotte Transportation
Center at 310 East Trade Street in Center City, go online at
www.ridetransit.org or call (704) 336-RIDE (7433).

NASCAR Night at zMAX Dragway Oct. 12
NASCAR Night returns to zMAX Dragway on Oct. 12. Fans are invited to come
out and see NASCAR drivers, team owners, crew chiefs and team members
compete on the concrete quarter mile at the Bellagio of drag strips. Fans
can show a ticket to the upcoming Bank of America 500 at the zMAX Dragway
gate and receive free admission. Adult tickets are available at the gate for
just $5 and kids are free. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to
Speedway Children’s Charities. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and racing begins at
5 p.m.

Mac Daddy Dogs Make NASCAR Concession Debut
A new concession item will be added to the menu at Charlotte Motor Speedway
for Bank of America 500 Week. The Mac Daddy Dog is a hot dog encased in
macaroni pasta and pimento cheese, then coated in a panko breadcrumb crust
and deep fried. The fun fair food made its Charlotte Motor Speedway debut at
the Food Lion AutoFair in August and was an instant hit. The concession is a
creation of Levy Restaurants’ Emily Williams and her staff. Mac Daddy Dogs
will be available for $5 each at the Levy concession stand on the main
concourse.

Legends Million Winner Daniel Hemric in UNOH Southern 150 NASCAR Modified
Race
Daniel Hemric, winner of the largest grassroots race in history, the Legends
Million, will compete in the upcoming NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
(NWSMT) UNOH Southern Slam 150 during Bojangles’ Pole Night on Oct. 14 as
part of Bank of America 500 Week. Hemric took home an unprecedented $250,000
purse after winning the Legends Million, a one-of-a-kind Legend Car race,
held July 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 19-year-old Kannapolis, N.C.,
native will make his second career start in a NASCAR modified; he raced in a
NWSMT event at Caraway Speedway in Asheboro, N.C., earlier this year.
Tickets for the UNOH Southern Slam 150 and Bojangles’ Pole Night are $12 in
advance or $20 the day of the event and can be purchased online at
www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

Custom Cobra Replica Benefitting SCC Displayed During Bank of America 500
Week
In only five days during the August Food Lion AutoFair at Charlotte Motor
Speedway, the team from Tommy Pike Customs in Greenville, S.C., turned a
pile of parts into a custom Cobra replica. During Bank of America 500 Week,
fans can get an up-close look at the high-performance roadster near the
speedway’s main entrance and enter to win the unique vehicle in a
fundraising raffle for Speedway Children’s Charities. Raffle tickets are $25
each or five for $100 and will be available during all 2010 events at
Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte until
the annual Souvenir Blowout on Nov. 26. Tickets may also be purchased online
at www.charlotte.speedwaycharities.org. The winner will be announced in
December.

Sam Bass Unveils October Souvenir Program Cover; Programs for Sale During
Race Week
Renowned motorsports artist Sam Bass unveiled an original painting that will
serve as the cover for the 2010 Bank of America 500 souvenir program. “The
Greatest Place to See the Race” highlights many of the activities in which
fans can engage while they are in Charlotte for the races, including a trip
to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a visit to one of the area NASCAR team shops or
a ride in a driving school stock car. Images of these destinations are
reflected in the helmet of regular-season points leader and Chase for the
Sprint Cup contender Kevin Harvick. Other Chase drivers featured are current
points leader Jimmie Johnson, as well as Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Jeff
Gordon. Inside the program are feature stories on Jamie McMurray, the new
NASCAR Nationwide Series car and what makes Charlotte Motor Speedway “The
Greatest Place to See the Race.” Souvenir programs are just $10 and are for
sale at multiple locations around the track during Bank of America 500 Week.

Cat Used and Cat Dealers Hold Sale at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Regional Cat dealers, including Carolina Cat, Blanchard Machinery, Carter
Machinery and Gregory Poole Equipment, as well as Cat Used Equipment
Services, will display more than 30 Caterpillar machines available for
purchase adjacent to Charlotte Motor Speedway Oct. 14-16 during Bank of
America 500 Week. The sale also will include systems to view the entire Cat
dealer used equipment inventory on Catused.cat.com, which offers the largest
selection of used Cat machines on the Web. The sale is open to the public
and runs each day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. For more information,
customers can visit http://catracing.cat.com/news.

       Tickets for all October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be
purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the
speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The Bank of America Fan 4
Pack includes tickets, hot dogs and Coca-Cola drinks starting at just $39.75
per person or fans can get four nights of great racing with the Bank of
America 500 Week Super Ticket for just $99.
       For daily updates on October race activities, connect with Charlotte
Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or
become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.

Ford Cars Lead the Pack in NASCAR

Mooresville, NC (October 4, 2010) Roush Yates Engines started out the third race of the chase in true championship form, qualifying two Ford drivers on the front row and coming away from Kansas Speedway with the win.
With eight races left in the chase for the Sprint Cup Championship, Ford drivers arrived at Kansas Speedway on Friday prepared to show just how much power their FR9s are capable of producing. Kasey Kahne, driver of the number 9 Budweiser Ford Fusion, qualified on the pole with fellow Ford driver Paul Menard starting alongside him. Three other Blue Oval drivers qualified in the top ten, with Greg Biffle starting 5th, Matt Kenseth starting 8th, and David Ragan starting 10th.
“We weren’t great in practice so we knew we needed to make adjustments to the car. Kenny Francis and Keith did a really nice job,” said Kahne. “I am glad we got the pole for Budweiser and for Ford. It’s exciting to have a couple of RPM guys on the front row and it’s just really nice for the whole company.”
After starting the race in the top positions, Ford drivers never wavered and Greg Biffle, driver of the number 16 3M/Sherwin Williams Ford Fusion, led the final 29 laps of the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods to win the race. With twelve leaders and twenty total lead changes, Sunday’s race was nothing short of exciting and Biffle took advantage by gaining his sixteenth career win in his 287th start.
“Everyone asked us last week if we’re out of the Chase, have we given up, whatever the case was. The 16 team will never give up,” said Biffle. “We’re just going to approach each race like we did today, qualify the best we can, do the best we can in practice, execute the best we can at the racetrack. This was the best car I’ve ever driven here and I have a lot of confidence going into Fontana.”
Biffle has won two races this season, including a victory at Pocono Raceway in August. He is 8th in the points for the Chase for the Championship, leading Roush Fenway Racing teammates Carl Edwards in 4th and Matt Kenseth in 11th position. Roush Fenway Racing is one of only two teams with 3 cars in the 2010 Chase.
“It’s very exciting to see Roush Yates Engines and Roush Fenway Racing back in Victory Lane,” said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines. “Qualifying on the pole and winning the race shows exactly what Ford Racing and Roush Yates Engines are capable of. I look forward to watching the remainder of the Chase for the Championship and see no reason why the 2011 Sprint Cup Championship will not go to a Ford.”
Roush Yates continues to win in all divisions of motorsports with another victory for Billy Well’s driver Ivedent Lloyd at Ocala in the Dirt Late Model division this weekend. Jason Myers won the modified race at North Wilkesboro Speedway and Chip King won in the Blown Pro Modified division at the Shakedown at Englishtown. Roush Yates has over 80 wins so far this season and two championships in the TORC Off-Road series and the Sprint Cars on Dirt series.
To learn more about all of Roush Yates’ engine programs or how to update your engine with the Roush Yates’ Performance Upgrade, call Jeff Clark at (704) 658-1540 or visit www.roushyatesparts.com.
About Roush Yates Engines
Roush Yates Engines designs, engineers and crafts high performance racing engines with the power to perform and the horsepower and durability you’d expect from legendary NASCAR pioneers Jack Roush and Robert Yates. The partnership of power and precision has come from merging the knowledge and experience of two legendary engine builders, both with a passion for winning today and powering up for tomorrow. In 2009 Doug Yates purchased his father’s half of Roush Yates Engines to become a co-owner in the company.
As CEO, Doug Yates leads a staff of 180 engineers and technicians who design, assemble, test, and service racing engines at two separate state-of-the-art facilities in Mooresville, North Carolina. Here, the best minds and latest technology are hard at work producing nearly 1,500 racing engines each year for teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, ARCA, Grand-Am, FIA GT3, Dirt Late Model, Sprint cars, and NHRA Pro Stock. At Roush Yates Engines, the mission is Power Performance, which is achieved through innovation design, precision engineering, and skillful craftsmanship. Building the best engines in racing today, providing service that’s second to none, and honoring a commitment to research and development are the heart of Roush Yates Engines.

Lee Pullian Wins Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 2, 2010) – Lee Pulliam continued his meteoric journey in racing Saturday afternoon by winning the pole for Sunday’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

Four years ago Pulliam had never sat in a race car, but he wanted to be a racer. He fast-tracked his way through high school so he could finish a year early and go to work to save enough money to buy an entry-level race car.

Saturday the 22-year-old driver from Semora, NC, topped 84 other drivers, including three former national champions and several higher division drivers to start up front for the biggest, most prestigious Late Model Stock Car race in the country.

“It’s pretty emotional,” Pulliam said. “We’ve come a long way in a very short time and I’ve got to thank a lot of people for their help. It started with nothing four years ago. The Lord has given me a great path.”

Pulliam won five times this season at South Boston Speedway in just his second year in Late Model competition. He had the fastest car in two open test sessions at Martinsville over the past two weeks, and admitted because of that there was pressure headed into Saturday’s time trials. He came through with flying colors, though.

He turned in a lap of 20.272 seconds (93.410 mph) around the .526-mile oval to edge three-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion Philip Morris. Morris, who won this event in 2000, had a lap of 20.310 seconds (93.235 mph).

Even after winning the pole, Pulliam was still a bit awed by his surroundings.

“It definitely says a lot when you call Timothy Peters’ name and Dennis Setzer,” Pulliam said, referring to a pair of drivers who compete regularly on the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and who both have won this race and a truck series race at Martinsville. “Those guys are wheelmen. They’ve got a lot of laps around this place. A few years ago all of them were role models to me.”

Brandon McReynolds of Mooresville, NC, who finished second in this race last year, qualified third, followed by Ryan Robertson of Winston-Salem, NC, and Mike Looney of Catawba.

Peters was sixth fastest, with last year’s third-place finisher Brennan Poole of The Woodlands, TX, seventh. Davin Scites, last year’s pole-sitter from Davidson, NC qualified eighth with Setzer ninth and former race winner Alex Yontz 10.

Only the top 22 positions were decided in time trials Saturday. The remainder of the 42-car field will be decided in four 25-lap heat races that begin at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Fan gates open at 9 a.m. on Sunday, with an autograph session on the track’s frontstrech set for 11:30 a.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults with children 12 and under admitted free. Tickets may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

Racing Lovers 300 Test Sessions

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 11, 2010) – Justin Johnson has won 11 Late Model Stock car races this season and just wrapped up his second consecutive series championship at South Boston Speedway.

Timothy Peters is one of the hottest drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series these days, fourth in the season-long points standings, winner of two poles this season and captured the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway.

In the midst of wildly successful seasons, you would think neither should be overly concerned with the two upcoming test sessions for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 at Martinsville Speedway. That’s not the case, though.

In fact, it would not be surprising to see both Johnson and Peters at both of the test sessions, the first scheduled for this Wednesday and the second set for Wednesday, September 22.

“The tests are extremely important to all of us,” said the 23-year-old Johnson.  “With so many cars there (over 100), we just don’t get a ton of practice time the weekend of the race. You need a good baseline before you get there on race weekend and you get that during the tests.”

Peters, who is taking advantage of an off weekend in the truck series to return to his roots and the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300, should be the last person fretful about testing at Martinsville. He’s got more laps on the tricky half-mile than anyone else in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 field. He won the race in 2005 and on top of that, captured the Kroger 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race last fall.

“Testing is absolutely big for me, especially with adding the second day. A lot of the guys are going to be there both days to get seat time because Martinsville is the biggest race of the year,” said Peters, who will be competing in his first Late Model race of the season. “I’ll be honest … all the laps I have at Martinsville helps, but it’s hard to come back when you haven’t been running these cars all year long.

“Because we only run these cars at Martinsville once a year levels the playing field some, but I really need to get some laps in, to get the feel for the car before we get there for race weekend.”

Each of the next two Wednesdays will be eight hours of grinding for the teams, each one working hard to get every ounce of speed possible out of their cars.

“We have a couple of different shock packages to look at, a couple of different set ups to work on. We’ll switch everything (shocks and springs) out a couple of times during the day,” said Johnson. “We’ll be working to try and get a comfort level and the balance we need to have a good starting point when we get to the track for race weekend.”

Registration for teams will begin at 7 a.m. on both September 15 and September 22 at the main ticket office. Haulers can begin staging the day before each test session.

Cars will be on-track from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day with an hour break at noon each day.

Fans will be admitted free both days. Grandstand gates will open at 9 a.m.

The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 weekend will begin with practice and time trials on Saturday, October 2. The fastest 22 cars in qualifying will earn starting berths in the main event.

There will be four 25-lap qualifying races to kick the action off on Sunday, October 3, followed by the 200-lap main event.

Tickets for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 are $20 and may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Children 12 and under are admitted free.