Clint Bowyer won in Charlotte. It came down to fuel, again.

Keselowski could have, but ran out. Johnson might have but was conserving. Hamlin also, but couldn’t swing by Bowyer.

Coming up, the Big Boys are in Kansas. Now, you could sit at home and watch on TV or you could go see some real racing. If you are in Kansas, you might as well go to the big one. If you are, oh…. Somewhere around southern Virginia you could consider Martinsville.

Wait! That’s next week!

Yes, and no… Sprint Cup and Camping World Trucks are indeed in Martinsville on the 27th and 28th of October. However, this weekend they run the late-model Virginia Is For Lovers 300.

Set your DVR and come on out. Yes, the “Chase” is big this year. Keselowski, despite a fuel shortage at Charlotte, is still leading. Johnson and Hamlin are still “chasing” his bumper but gaining. Bowyer also is bringing some fresh heat. You could even see Regan Smith finish in Dale Jr.’s car. You might see “Smoke” come up or Biffle gain ground.

Or you could watch close to 70 drivers fight in four heat races to make the final 42 to race the main at Martinsville…

The Virginia Is For Lovers 300 is a fun one. The region’s best are “all in” with the “woulda-couldas” giving them a run. It isn’t just the NASCAR winners that get the Grandfather Clock trophy…

Earlier this week we met up with a bunch of other media types and four of the drivers ready to take their short track skill all the way to the checkered flag at a trendy dining place in Danville. Kickback Jack’s is full of big TVs, friendly staff and good food. Tuesday night it was also full of racing.

Matt Bowling, Peyton Sellers, Stephen Berry and Lee Pulliam were on hand to talk about the weekend coming up at Martinsville Speedway. These guys are champions, veterans and a rookie. All were after the same result… A good run and a win at the historic raceway.

A couple of weeks ago these and many others were at the track for a day of practice sessions. These four all thought they came away with good experience and data to bring to the race. The tweaks, and the wheel time, brought them all a bit closer to where they want to be for the “300”.

Any earlier concerns for the new “race in” format seemed to have faded. Sunday’s heat races to get in for the main event will be lined up from lap times on the Saturday practices. Veterans should be able to put in fast practices so are betting on top slots in the heats. The concerns of getting caught in some other spin or crash is still there but the plan is similar from all of them. Running in or near the front should minimize the chances of getting caught up if someone does go loose.

However, they can’t all be “in front”… Can they?

The heat races will determine starting positions in the main event. It also determines being in the main event. There are 42 slots and close to 70 entries. Almost half will be loading their cars and sent back to “spectator” status while the top 42 go for the checkers.

The Virginia Is For Lovers 300 is real racing. These are the “weekend warriors” from the garage down the road tweaking time from day-jobs to find wheel time, keep their cars running and maybe be successful at finding a sponsor or two for the hood and panels.

Put Kansas on the DVR. The “Cup” guys will be here shortly, anyway. Get a “race fix” before the “NASCAR” fix. The Virginia Is For Lovers 300 is this weekend. The Tum’s Fast Relief 500 follows seven days later.

Go racing.

…and give a wave to the staff at Kickback Jack’s!