Martinsville Speedway marks the return of NASCAR after taking the previous weekend off for Easter. The week before lit a firestorm that may show some spark at the STP Gas Booster 500…
Denny Hamlin is out for a bit with back injuries following a hard hit on the inside wall after contact with Joey Logano. This, after jabs on Twitter from the race before… And before…
It seems there is a bit of tension with the former team mates. Fans aren’t likely to sit very still with a Virginia favorite out while the other takes the stage. The grandstands are going to rumble.
Throw Tony Stewart in the mix and the return to racing is wound up tight. Stewart, angered by Logano’s diving drive at Fontana, was after the #22 driver with fists up. Stewart is also set for a “Fan Zone” appearance at Martinsville so the fun starts early.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is set for a suite appearance. There are family deals and track passes to be had. Martinsville is making good on access as NASCAR opens the box for racing this weekend!
The VMI Glee Club is doing the National Anthem. The Rev. Jonathan Falwell offers the pre-race invocation.
There is a lot of tension coming off the first few weeks of racing. The Glee Club and Reverend Falwell may be opening the show but the racing will take off quickly once the lap counter starts on an always unpredictable event. The previous tensions may mix that up all day.
Mark Martin is in the seat of the FedEx #11 for the injured Hamlin. However, Stewart and Logano are in their own cars. The racing is always close at Martinsville so Stewart and Logano are certain to cross bumpers at some point. We’ll have to wait and see if that goes anywhere beyond a bump and pass.
As for Mark Martin and the #11 the question might be who gets the clock if he wins…
You’ve also got Dale Jr. in the points lead. Once he is done in the suite he is sure to have a winning agenda on his mind.
For racing fans, Martinsville is the place to be to get this much speed and drama in one seat. The STP Gas Booster 500 is Sunday, April 7th. The trucks are on Saturday with the Kroger 250. The stage is set and all we need now is the curtain to go up and the green flag to drop.
Go racing… And be ready for anything at Martinsville!