The night life in Martinsville
Now you have a reason to go to Martinsville at night: On Sept. 3, otherwise known as the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, the Whelen Modified Tour will run at Martinsville under the lights.
The lights are only temporary. The speculation that the lights will make a return engagement? Call that ongoing.
Let's face it: A night race or two might be the thing that keeps Martinsville on the schedule. Richmond runs both of its races at night. The stands are packed, and the racing rocks. The Bristol night race? Even better.
The speculation is that Martinsville needs to do something so fans -- the ones who come to the race as well as (and more importantly) those who watch it on TV -- want to see the race. Some bumping and banging under the lights might just be the thing.
Roanoke Times writer Aaron McFarling offers up his take here.
Comments (6)
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I, for one, hope that Martinsville is able to keep its races. If that means night racing, then do it.
Count me among those who regret the recent trend of moving races out of traditional NASCAR markets.
Posted on March 3, 2005 4:35 PM
TV is the tail wagging the dog these days.
If the race looks good on TV -- and short-track night races look great -- people will tune in.
And if NASCAR can move more races to Saturday night or later on Sunday -- and Martinsville will agree to just about anything if it will help keep a race -- it can accomodate West Coast fans. It's one thing to rush home from church to catch the race. It's another thing altogether to bag church entirely, which is about what you'd have to do if you live in California and want to watch most of the East Coast races.
Posted on March 4, 2005 7:48 PM
As someone who grew up on the modifieds, I don't care whether its in broad daylight or the middle of the night. They are the best.
Posted on March 4, 2005 9:55 PM
Mark - Best how?
Please don't take that comment defensively. I'm curious. I'm obviously a big fan of stock car racing, and I try to follow F1 and World Rally, and I catch the Indy 500 when that's on. Modifieds just aren't on my radar screen.
Posted on March 5, 2005 6:36 PM
John:
Modifieds are just what I grew up on in the Northeast both on asphalt & dirt. They get your attention.
Ever since your original post on this topic I knew what I'm doing Labor Day weekend.
If you want to understand how important this racing is in the Northeast go to a website called Mod Series Scene. A writer has elaborated in detail what Martinsville means to racing.
Two of my childhood idols lost their lives at Martinsville back in the 80's, one (Charlie Jarzombeck) right in front of me in turn one. I didn't go back to any racetrack for about 2 years.
Posted on March 8, 2005 8:34 PM
Modifieds are where Nascar began. This race is going to be Awesome.
Posted on March 12, 2005 1:44 PM