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March 27, 2008
A Return To Old School Racing
By Mark Young
NASCAR's premier racing series is fresh from a week off and ready to go at it again. Although it seems odd to have an off weekend so close to the beginning of the season the teams needed it. In fact I think we all needed it just to catch our breath. Although there were tons of sporting opportunities available for fans to partake during the Easter Holiday I am glad that NASCAR was not one of them. Thankfully not racing on Easter Sunday and again on Mother's Day in May have been a constant on the Sprint Cup schedule and I hope it remains that way. It is a little taste of old school that we dearly need once in a while.....thank goodness for Martinsville.
Martinsville is the oldest track on the schedule having hosted it's first race in 1949. It is also the smallest measuring out at .525 miles. Martinsville is also the slowest track on the circuit but that is part of what makes this place special. It isn't a track that depends on aerodynamics but rather the talents of the driver to manipulate his machine and make it last 500 grueling laps.
The trophy at Martinsville is arguably the coolest trophy in NASCAR if not all of racing. The winner receives a 6-foot tall Grandfather Clock. Jeff Gordon has eight of those bad boys though I doubt they are all in the same house because talk about a racket every hour!! I am not sure how long the clock has been given away, but if they were doing it in 1960 Richard Petty has 22 of those things likely spread out all over Level Cross.
Hot Dogs are not my favorite food but when I go to baseball games whether the Chicago Cubs, our local minor league team the South Bend Silver-hawks, or my kid's little league games I have at least one. From what I understand the same holds true when attending Martinsville. The beauties have a pink tint to them that makes them look like something from Pet-co. From what I understand the only true way to have one is covered in chili and cole-slaw. At any place other than a race track that would send my stomach into convulsions.
Someday I am going to make it to Martinsville to see a race at the smallest, oldest, slowest race track in NASCAR. While I am there I want to see that clock, watch a train go by close enough to the grandstands that you could seemingly jump right off the stands and onto the cars. All the while not dropping my Martin Dog.
March 27, 2008 | Permalink
Comments
I'm with you Mark.Although not one of my favorite track's,it's old school feel is refreshing.Since the powers that be took not one but both my races from the Rock,which is 8 miles from my house,Darlington is the closest track to me.I go to that one and both Charlotte races.I would like to go as well to M'ville,but seems I always have something else going on.Softball all weekend this time.At 43,it's time to quit diving after softballs and go to a few more races like Dover and M'ville.I have heard the stories on the dogs.I'm owed a couple from a previous bet from the latest Duke/UNC B-ball game from a certain crew member!Not sure how they would taste overnited to me.....
Old school drivers and race tracks are something I truly miss with the sport.Hopefully,they don't take any more races from the older tracks,except say Michigan.Blow up Cali and give us a race back at the ROCK in a warmer climate than before!Hope you had a nice Easter..........
Posted by: DJ | Mar 27, 2008 10:28:53 AM
Mark,
Martinsville is definitely a "go to," track. You have to be there to appreciate it. Bristol may get all the thunder and raves, but Martinsville makes the drivers earn their paycheck.
Another thing about Martinsville is the people. I was going to post one time on track food, and I wanted more info on the famous (or infamous) pink hotdog. So, I gave them a ring. I got a lovely young lady who extolled the virtues of the pink dog so well (for about 30 mins) she made me want one. That's how they treat you at Martinsville. You're not a ticket, you're family.
The clock and the train. They fall into the ambience bin. You can't manufacture that. They evolved into the persona of Martinsville. A local clock maker and a local train on the backstretch. It's racing history. During Gordon's run to win 8 clocks I could almost feel bad for his parents. (Jeff's Parents House) "Oh look honey Jeff's here. Dammit he's got another clock. Turn out the lights and don't answer the door." As for the train, and I guess this depends on if the engineer is a race fan or not, it will park up there and they'll watch for a bit.
My picks for the weekend are Hendrick cars. Let's go out on a limb and say they all make the T10 with one in victory lane.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 27, 2008 10:39:06 AM
I would not say ALL of the Hendrick cars Chief. 88, 24, 48 would make a nice 1-2-3. My dark-horse is the 42.
Posted by: Mark Young | Mar 27, 2008 10:48:32 AM
Mark,
Not that we're at Vegas or anything, but I wonder what the odds are of two different teams posting 1-2-3 finishes in consecutive races.
Posted by: Keith | Mar 27, 2008 10:58:18 AM
Mark, I'm wondering why you name the 42 as your dark horse. It seems to me that while ovals may not be JPM's strong point, it would be the short ovals that are his weakest. He can do speed, but short track? I'd say that Bristol, Martinsville, and Richmond are the LAST three tracks I'd expect to see former open-wheelers conquer.
With the exception of the debacle in Fontana, I think this has been a good year so far.
Posted by: Doug in CA | Mar 27, 2008 1:58:03 PM
JPM ran pretty decent there last year for some reason Doug, that's why I have him as a sleeper.
Posted by: Mark Young | Mar 27, 2008 2:12:28 PM
DUDE! The Martinsville dogs are the best! I had 8 last time I was there...and coulda et 4 more!...You don't request the fixin'...it comes all the way! and at 2 bucks a pop it's a hella deal compared to 6 inch plain Subway sub for 8 bucks at Bristol or Lowes!
I think that the 24 and the 48 should run good but I'll pick the Blue Duece or that #29 feller!...A visit to Martinsville is a MUST for any Nascar fan...BTW Richard Petty has a truck load of those clocks in Randleman!
Posted by: Fan #5 | Mar 27, 2008 3:00:49 PM
Doug,
Straights that accordion into tight turns...It's a paperclip road course. I can see the 42 doing well.
#5,
While I can make a tasty meal, I'm not sure I could afford to feed you!
Posted by: Keith | Mar 27, 2008 3:51:00 PM
We've been to Martinsville. What a great community and facility. We attended the 50th anniversary race (and I was severely disappointed that Rusty gave that race away). The people everywhere were tremendous and friendly. My husband met Bobby Hamilton at one of the motels and we ate dinner two tables away from him and his group and breakfast at a Shoney's three tables away from Benny Parsons. Race day was rained out and the race held on Monday but when you come from Idaho for a race you plan on an extra day in case of rain. We spent several hours at the Richard Petty souvenir trailer and made friends with his people. We reunited with them the next year in Phoenix at the track and they even remembered us. Martinsville has beautiful scenery and you can see everything that happens on the track without binnoculars. If you go, you'll need to take a side trip to see the Petty Museum. A great trip. Never had one of the hot dogs - just couldn't get over how it looked.
Posted by: Sammy | Mar 27, 2008 5:51:45 PM
Martinsville is the best track on the circuit hands down. I sat in the 23rd row for the entire weekend for less than you would pay for a row 1 seat for the Nationwide race at Bristol. AWESOME racing ALL of the time. A true "down home" feel; I feel like family when I go there. And you will never be closer to meeting your favorite driver, or any NASCAR personality at any other track. While many will not agree it is the best, I would bet that no one would say they don't like it.
Posted by: joe | Mar 27, 2008 8:33:59 PM
one more thing...don't like the hot dogs, but the foot long corn dogs are to die for. and the funnel cakes?....man i wish i was there again this year.
Posted by: joe | Mar 27, 2008 8:35:56 PM
oh man! that race in 05 when JR was wrecked out of all but one fender and still brought it home 4th!!!!!
Keith put it well....ambience....Martinsville has it by the truckload.
Posted by: joe | Mar 27, 2008 8:40:21 PM
The more I hear about the place the more I have to go!!
Posted by: Mark Young | Mar 27, 2008 11:20:17 PM
Sorry folks I know the horse is dead and starting to rot BUT, for the same reasons I like Martinsville, I love what the new car has brought to most of the tracks so far. jmo. Driver talent gets my attention. Drive the darn thing rolling over on the tires like I have to on an exit ramp! The lure of Nascar, in my opiion, is that the every day person can relate to what its like to be out there and Martinsville does that. Bring on the short tracks!
Posted by: Bob | Mar 28, 2008 9:50:04 AM
