They race everything.

As the “Chase” makes the way back to our part of the world it is only fitting we make one step back and have a look at the other series running in our back yard.

Camping World Series trucks are on tap at Martinsville Speedway coupled with the TUMS Fast Relief 500 for the Sprint Cup.

To be honest, years ago, when they introduced trucks to the NASCAR format we thought they were a bit daft. Trucks pull trailers and haul bricks or lumber or dirt or empty beer cans.

Trucks are torque machines for pulling and hauling. Speed is not generally the way they do things.

However, NASCAR has done a number with the Camping World Series. They took the Cup chassis and essentially dropped a truck on it. The hood is lowered and the windshield is swept a bit and the bed is not really a bed but it works. They are fast. They look like pick-up trucks.

Weird…

Beyond the truck shape and Cup chassis is the racing. The engines turn over approaching 700 horsepower. As a stepping stone to a possible Cup seat the competition is fierce and on a track like Martinsville it can get a little pushy.

As Martinsville is one of the tracks on the calendar that is a highlight for us we couldn’t pass the opportunity to talk racing with a few drivers on the docket for the trucks.

It so happens drivers from Red Horse Racing were lunching at Corned Beef & Company in Roanoke, VA. We intercepted a memo and caught up with a French Dip sandwich, a camera and a smartphone. As it happens, the drivers in the Camping World Series are serious, knowledgeable and hungry for winning.

Timothy Peters has won here before. Despite the truck shape and technical aspect of racing at Martinsville he noted the aerodynamic advantage of clean air as applied to the only short track in the “Chase”. He was also pleased to be running at a familiar track that is considered to be home territory.

Todd Bodine also has a history at Martinsville. His first race was there. He has run several seasons with different series there. He may focus a little more on a technical style of racing at Martinsville. Sticking with the line, the rhythm and getting on the gas quicker out of the turns were top of mind for Bodine.

Apologies to Parker Kligerman. We were busy with roast beef and cheese and did not get a chance to speak with him. However, Parker is one slot back from Timothy Peters in the championship hunt. He won the last race at Talladega. They are third and fourth and mathematically still viable to get up.

A win or top 5 finish at Martinsville could be a springboard for either of them…

We may have had roast beef at Corned Beef & Co. with these drivers earlier in the week but we’re looking forward to Martinsville hot dogs and some fast truck racing this weekend. The Kroger 200 is Saturday, Oct. 27th. The TUMS Fast Relief 500 is Sunday the 28th.

For both series this track is a strong spot for points with few races remaining. It is also a fun watch as a fan favorite with plenty of history.

Go racing.