History. As kids we suffered through dates and places and names so as adults we would know what we’re looking at on The History Channel.
That was, of course, until the teacher started talking about dinosaurs. Then we perked up and marveled at creatures larger than semi trucks and savagely chomped and chewed at each other. Kids like dinosaurs. Perhaps it is because they can dream of something larger than their parents and scary enough to send Mom and Dad to their rooms. Perhaps it is because there are no Napoleaon action figures or Columbus Lego sets.
Children are tactile with their learning. Touch, see, handle. That is why kids like dinosaurs and animals and rocks and dirt. Fortunately, there is a place showcasing these things in an interactive way that is both fun and educational.
It is even entertaining for race drivers. That may be saying something as professional drivers are often as difficult to slow down as children are. On a Tuesday in March, we had the chance to slow down with a few NASCAR Camping World Series truck drivers for a tour of the Virginia Museum of Natural History.
It is located in Martinsville. Oddly enough, so is a certain historic speedway with races coming up in just over a week on March 31st and April 1st. The connection is a new display at the Museum focusing on a bit of racing history.
It is no secret that NASCAR in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee was a spinoff from running cars full of moonshine whiskey through the back roads and away from law enforcement. The fast cars and drivers tended to compete for speed which lead to racing their cars which lead to organized racing and rules and points which lead to penalties for things like a “C-Post”.
The Museum of Natural History has a display focusing on segments of these early days. There is a still, engine parts, a garage wall, a cutaway racing stock car, racing simulator and more.
You may ask why the “natural” history museum, with bones of dinosaurs, historic and modern animals, and geologic displays has a racing section. Well, it is only natural. The Martinsville Speedway is just down the road.
There is a larger connection. 450 million years, give or take a week or two. The area where defending champion Tony Stewart will be turning laps with 42 other drivers was an ocean at one time. As the water receded, limestone deposits were formed and now we have a fossil record of life over time. Volcanic activity created vast areas of granite. Fresh water springs filtered through the area and provided the base liquid for some of the finest moonshine around. The finest moonshine around lead to racing modified “rum-runners” at a little dirt track at Martinsville.
History. It is “Rocks to Racing” moving forward to sixty-five years of racing at the Martinsville Speedway.
Now to the present. A big part of race weekend is the Saturday event, the Camping World Series Kroger 250 Truck Race. Three drivers were on hand to see the racing exhibits and talk about their history leading to Martinsville racing.
John King, rookie and the season-opening truck race winner in Daytona, defending Kroger 250 champion Johnny Sauter and former Kroger 250 winner Timothy Peters. All have history with Martinsville. Peters particularly, who is from the area and remembers visiting the History Museum in gradeschool.
Both King and Peters have run the late model races at Martinsville, currently scheduled as the “Virginia is for Lovers 300”, and the experience certainly helps their racing here. They both spoke of the technical aspects of racing and that Martinsville is unique in the driving style.
“They definitely broke the mold when they made Martinsville (Speedway),” said Peters. “It definitely has its own characteristics and there isn’t another track that will help you get ready for it. You just have to get in there and put what you know to good use.”
The three drivers were intrigued by the Museum. Taking the time to visit in combination with discussions of the upcoming race at the nearby Speedway seemed to be a welcome distraction from the constant pressure of lap times, pit stops and lead chasing.
It will come soon enough. Martinsville is the first Camping World Series Trucks race since the opener at Daytona.
Racing at Martinsville is rapidly approaching. Tickets, Fan Zone tickets (Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne), Track Passes and more are available. Family specials and childrens’ pricing is also good to get the whole gang in for some Martinsville wheel to wheel racing. Call 877-RACE-TIX or CLICK HERE to check online.
Don’t forget Lt. Dan! The band is playing the evening of March 31st. This is the group of musicians lead by movie star Gary Sinise putting on the show for disabled “war on terror” Hero, Corporal J.B. Kerns. Various groups are working together to get this young man from Virginia a special home to accommodate his needs. The music will be fantastic for a proud cause. (See details here)
There is some race in California. They will cross the checkers and pack it all in and head to Martinsville.
Then the real fun begins!
Get a “heads up” on the fun from Martinsville Speedway’s Facebook page!
Check the gallery of images from the Museum visit below!
