What Happened To Martinsville

WhelenModifiedTour · WMT Moderator

What Happened To Martinsville

ModRacer39 · Race Fan

Being a driver who participated in it. There were more fans from our teams then people in the stands. They put us at 1:00 on a Sunday when there was a cup race on as well. People are going to choose the cup race. If they made it a Friday night or Saturday night show it would be better. Unfortunate, great track.

WhelenModifiedTour · WMT Moderator

I definitely agree with you #39. I know I have seen some great crowds as a fan and crew member at Martinsville. It to me, is a MODIFIED track. I feel the Tour should race Friday night of Cup Series weekends LIVE on Speed. With the move towards Saturday Cup Series Qualifying, they could actually have the garages free for the Tour on Friday. Just a thought.

WhelenModifiedTour · WMT Moderator

This event needs to return. When run at a decent time, there is a crowd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5g3tZrUkPc

-- Edited by WhelenModifiedTour on Thursday 10th of February 2011 07:24:06 PM

WhelenModifiedTour · WMT Moderator

More Video From Martinsville

invisible · Crew Chief

RE: What Happened To Martinsville

WhelenModifiedTour · WMT Moderator

I still think it sould be run on Friday night of the Cup Series weekend for reasons mentioned above.

ModRacer39 · Race Fan

Back to what "invisible" said. I agree. We checked into our hotel and the guy asked us why we were in Martinsville. After telling him about the race, in his indian accent he says "I am gonna raise my rates this second". They had no idea we were coming. Good job NASCAR.

invisible · Crew Chief

Not really NASCAR's fault as much as Martinsville Speedway's fault for the lack of advertising. I don't disagree with WMT's idea of running on a Cup weekend. The problem lies in the rates for teams in hotels (like Mod39 mentioned, are raised to astronomical heights whenever the Cup series is in town) and room in the infield for the expensive portable lights. Musco's rate for the lights is the reason that Martinsville originally went away from the night races, and they took up quite a bit of room. Room that isn't there to take up at Martinsville anyway, and especially not when the Cup circus rolls into town. After that, then you need to think about parking - both the cars/equipment and haulers. The Truck series teams don't have room for their haulers in the infield, and put all their equipment on pit road. Where would the Modified teams put all their stuff? If people want to treat Martinsville like a crown jewel event (which it is), then it should be a two-day show like the Sizzler, the 300 (was), etc.

WhelenModifiedTour · WMT Moderator

Yes I remember when I was with a Tour team having to unload everything then bring the haulers out. And yes, I did not even think about all the space for the Musco Lighting. Maybe it could become a combination event with Late Models or something during the day then or run early enough on Friday of Cup weekend to not need lighting. Regardless the Mods belong at Martinsville amongst other tracks they used to race at.