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Martinsville Speedway To Be First Track With LED
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Martinsville Speedway is shedding a lot of light on its 69-year-old half-mile track.
NASCAR’s oldest venue on the Sprint Cup schedule will be illuminated when fans and competitors return in 2017.
“Most of you remember last year’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 where Jeff Gordon won here in the twilight,” Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell said on Wednesday. “Following that race, I remember hearing a quote from Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) here, and he said…”
“When are you going to put in some lights,” Earnhardt said.
“We thought it was very fitting to have Dale here today to announce the largest capital project and investment in Martinsville Speedway by International Speedway Corporation’s ever,” Campbell added. “Starting after the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, this year, we will begin installation of permanent LED lights. It’s a project we’re calling ‘Light Up Martinsville’.
“We’ll be the first major motorsports facility anywhere with LED lights, which we’re really excited about. I think it’s going to be great, the opportunity that presents us.”
Martinsville will hold its 136th Cup race on October 30. Jeff Gordon, who has been subbing for Earnhardt this season, will be defending his win.
“For years, fans have been asking us, ‘When are you going to put in lights? How about lights at Martinsville?’ Dale has mentioned it. Other drivers have mentioned it. So, it’s coming to fruition. We’ll have that project done by the end of this year and we’re really excited about it.
“It’s basically, right now, for an insurance policy to extend our day. If you look at the picture of Gordon when he won last year, if we had had one more caution or one more delay we would not have finished the race and that’s a Chase race. So it’s very critical and very important that we get these races finished and we’ve listened to our fans. We have for 70 years. We’ve listened to them and that’s what they want. They know now they’ll get to see a full race.”
Earnhardt, who won the Chase race in 2014, is thrilled with the opportunity lights will offer to Martinsville.
“I think it’s great for the race track and it certainly opens up a ton of possibilities for the future of the track itself,” Earnhardt added. “Martinsville is one of the best short tracks in the country and we always see some of the best racing throughout the season at this very track. It’s a race that all the drivers really want to win because of the uniqueness of the track and the history of the trophy as well. So adding lights can only add to its legacy and add to the specialness that this track has held for so long.
“I’m really happy for the track. I believe that it will open up a lot of possibilities for the future and the fans can come knowing that if we are pushed back early in the morning, there’s still a great opportunity — if we get good weather — to get the race in. We can run late. It’s awesome. It’s a long time coming and it’s good for the track.”
NASCAR’s oldest venue on the Sprint Cup schedule will be illuminated when fans and competitors return in 2017.
“Most of you remember last year’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 where Jeff Gordon won here in the twilight,” Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell said on Wednesday. “Following that race, I remember hearing a quote from Dale (Earnhardt Jr.) here, and he said…”
“When are you going to put in some lights,” Earnhardt said.
“We thought it was very fitting to have Dale here today to announce the largest capital project and investment in Martinsville Speedway by International Speedway Corporation’s ever,” Campbell added. “Starting after the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, this year, we will begin installation of permanent LED lights. It’s a project we’re calling ‘Light Up Martinsville’.
“We’ll be the first major motorsports facility anywhere with LED lights, which we’re really excited about. I think it’s going to be great, the opportunity that presents us.”
Martinsville will hold its 136th Cup race on October 30. Jeff Gordon, who has been subbing for Earnhardt this season, will be defending his win.
“For years, fans have been asking us, ‘When are you going to put in lights? How about lights at Martinsville?’ Dale has mentioned it. Other drivers have mentioned it. So, it’s coming to fruition. We’ll have that project done by the end of this year and we’re really excited about it.
“It’s basically, right now, for an insurance policy to extend our day. If you look at the picture of Gordon when he won last year, if we had had one more caution or one more delay we would not have finished the race and that’s a Chase race. So it’s very critical and very important that we get these races finished and we’ve listened to our fans. We have for 70 years. We’ve listened to them and that’s what they want. They know now they’ll get to see a full race.”
Earnhardt, who won the Chase race in 2014, is thrilled with the opportunity lights will offer to Martinsville.
“I think it’s great for the race track and it certainly opens up a ton of possibilities for the future of the track itself,” Earnhardt added. “Martinsville is one of the best short tracks in the country and we always see some of the best racing throughout the season at this very track. It’s a race that all the drivers really want to win because of the uniqueness of the track and the history of the trophy as well. So adding lights can only add to its legacy and add to the specialness that this track has held for so long.
“I’m really happy for the track. I believe that it will open up a lot of possibilities for the future and the fans can come knowing that if we are pushed back early in the morning, there’s still a great opportunity — if we get good weather — to get the race in. We can run late. It’s awesome. It’s a long time coming and it’s good for the track.”
