STP 500 – Martinsville 3-26-2018

Spring snow put off the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Sunday was bright and sunny after late Saturday and overnight snow but the facility itself was covered with 6 inches or more of snow. The grandstands and parking were not safe and had to be cleared. Other services such as police and emergency services were very busy within the community and surrounding areas. There was no other call to make but to push racing to Monday and use Sunday to clear away and prepare.

Monday was a great day fro racing. The cars were lined up by owner points with Martin Truex Jr and Kyle Busch on the front row. Denny Hamlin came to the front and stayed for the stage 1 win. Stage 2 was all about Ryan Blaney in the #12. The later and final laps belonged to Clint Bowyer in the HAAS Ford #14.

Bowyer claimed his first Martinsville win and broke a winless streak of several years. The #14 win also notched another early season mark for Stewart-Haas racing, adding to the team success with 3 wins by Kevin Harvick.