October 30, 2024 • 10 mins
The final race of the season before the championship for The Craftsman Truck Series, Xfinity Series and the Cup Series is this weekend at Martinsville!
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
From my Heart Radio. I'm Scott Stevens and we're talking
racing once again as we are heading into the end
of the season for NASCAR. It's bittersweet, but it's still exciting.
And joining us on the line right now the president
of Martinsville Speedway, Clay Campbell. How you doing, sir?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
I am doing good, Scott, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I'm doing great? And man, let me tell you, I'm
so excited here we are. We're heading into the final
race before the championship and it's at our favorite track,
Martinsville Speedway. I know that you guys are super excited
about this coming weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
We really are. We've been excited for a while, but
now it's finally here. And you know, this is like
Christmas for everybody here at Speedway. We work hard for it,
we look forward to it, then all of a sudden,
boom is here, here we are race week. It's what
we've all all been looking forward to and working hard for.
So yeah, it's exciting. You know, we get things kicked
(00:50):
off well, things are going pretty pretty heavy right now
with all the load in and it just gets bigger
and bigger every day. But on track Act two that
he starts on Friday, three big days of racing. So
if you're a NASCAR fan, this is where you want
to be.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
You know, I was gonna ask how soon like activity
starts there? I guess yesterday trailer started showing up for
these teams that are getting set up and ready to go.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yeah, you know, it takes a lot of effort and
preparation to make this thing happen, and there's so much
support that show up to make it all happen. I mean, like,
for instance, this morning, I've been here since about six
o'clock and all of the Goodyear trucks, a NASCAR competition
(01:36):
haulers are moving in. Like I say, if you had
a time lapse camera that was up in the air
looked down at the track, it would just get bigger
every day. And it's amazing everything that goes into putting
this show on that the fans are not aware, they
don't really need to be aware of. It's not exciting
to them. But for us to see everything roll into town,
(01:58):
it's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
It is pretty cool, and hey, speaking are pretty cool.
It looks like we're gonna have a nice weekend of
weather for all the events coming out.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Done it though, that's icing on the cake to have
a great forecast. Our ticket sales are really going well,
and you know that's part of it. If you know
the weather's it is going to be good for the
entire weekend, it makes it certainly easier on our fans
and particularly easier on us. Well.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Of course, things get started, as you said, some of
the qualifying and that kind of thing this week, But
as far as the racing goes, we got the Craftsman
Truck Series coming up Friday.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yeah, and we always look forward to that, and I
other fans do too. Craftsman Truck Series has been with
us since the very beginning of the Truck Series, and
the show they put on is just phenomenal. I think
the trucks are just ideal for Martinsville. But we always
look forward to Truck Night and you know, Friday night
under the lights, it's going to be exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Yeah. I've always thought that the trucks are better, are faster,
the handling is better on the short tracks. I mean
it's fun on the super speedways too, but man, seeing
those trucks on a track like Martinsville, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
It really is. And you know, the short tracks is
where the truck series began. That's really what it started as,
and then they started migrating to the bigger tracks, and
they are good races wherever they go. Usually it's one
of the better races of the weekend, regardless of what
track it's on. But they always do put on a
really good show here. So another fans are anticipating that
(03:33):
to happen again Friday night, and I'm sure that's what
they'll see.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
And then of course coming up on Saturday, you got
the National Debt Relief twoin fifty for the Exfinity Series.
And when it comes to speed, these Infinity cars, well
they're just about as fast as Martinsville is the Cup cars.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
They are very little difference than that, and sometimes they're faster.
But another exciting event. That's a great thing about this weekend.
Like I said, if you're a NASCAR fan, this is
where you want to be because all three series are here,
playoff implications in all three series. You know, we're so
fortunate to be the penultimate event in the NASCAR Championship playoffs,
(04:10):
and you know you come in here with the round
of eight and you leave with four. Uh So I've
told people numerous times. If I had a chance of
being the championship race or where we are now, I
would take I would take this one because you've got
so much on the line before they head out to Phoenix,
So you know, it's it's make or break time for
(04:32):
these guys.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
No doubt about it. And as we come in, you
mentioned the final eight, there's still a few outside looking
in following the racing in Miami last weekend.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, and I think it really sets us up well
for a really, really good race. Think about Denny Hamlin,
he's on the outside looking in. He has to win,
you know, Ron Blaney he has to win, which he
did last year if you remember, and this and this
very same race. So yeah, we've got some good guys.
You know, they've got to make it happen. And what
(05:03):
better place to make it happen than here. We've all
seen the various things happen in this race that make
it so exciting there at the end. So I can't
wait to see it myself.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Yeah, the Infinity five hundred on Sunday, we're going to
be starting at two o'clock, so we'll be starting in sunshine.
But I guess we're going into the time change, so
we're going to actually be finishing in the dark.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Yeah, and that's a good thing. Probably throws a throws
a little bit of a curve ball to the teams
on setups. You know they're setting up for like you say,
a two o'clock start temperature is supposed to be fairly warm,
so you know, you go into a warm racetrack and
then the sun goes down and it changes drastically. So
(05:45):
I think it's going to depend on who hits the
right combination on the setup and who doesn't.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
No doubt about that. So as far as fans go,
I got to tell you as a Virginia guy, Martinsville
has always been my favorite track. But you talk about
good family fund, that's a affordable Everything is so expensive
these days. You're out one hundred bucks if you take
your family to a movie. You can actually afford to
come to this race. You guys have some great price
(06:10):
packages for the weekend.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
We do, and we work hard at that. I know,
like you say, you go to a movie and it
costs quite a bit to a tend and we try
to keep our prices low. We try to keep our
concessions low. We still have the two dollars hot dog.
I don't think you go anywhere for entertainment that you
can buy a hot dog for two dollars and have
everything on it. But yeah, that's the key, and we
(06:33):
have so many I want to even get into it
because we have so many different packages for various groups, families, kids, youth,
the whole deal. But we want to make this affordable.
We want to make it where a family can come
out and enjoy a great day of racing and not
break the bank.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And doing so, you know, there's probably folks listening now
that have been NASCAR fans watching on TV for most
of their lives. But still I talk to people from
time to time and they're like, yeah, I've never actually
been to a Cup race. I've never been to a
race weekend at Martinsville or Charlotte or Richmond or any
of these other tracks. You know, it's one thing to
be a fan, and we're glad you're fans, but seeing
(07:11):
it in person, there's nothing like it.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
No, we're very fortunate with this weekend in particular, NBC
does our broadcast and they do an outstanding job. If
you have to be at home and watch it on TV,
you'll enjoy it because they can bring out so much
that you may not know otherwise. But to your point,
there is nothing greater than being here, seeing it, smelling it,
(07:35):
feeling it, hearing it. The sensation you get by being
at a NASCAR race here at Martinsville is unlike any other.
There's not a bad seat in the house, You're fairly
close to the track regardless of where you sit, and
it's just an experience like none other. We're very fortunate
in nascarly have a lot of good race tracks, but
(07:57):
I think the experience that you have here at Martinsville
it tops it. It's unlike any experience you get, and
I'm sure you'd be particular death to be here. You
just have to experience it to belete it.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
No doubt about that. And of course the pre race
experience to me is so important. I mean, when we
come to a race at Martinsville, we get up early,
before the sun comes up. We've got our coffee, and
we get on the road and we come to Martinsville
and as we get out, the air is already electric
with the pre race experience outside the track.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Yeah, that's one thing that we focus on. Our event
experienced team and they do an outstanding job, but we
want I say it every year, but we want fans
once they get on property, once they get out of
their car, we want them to have something to do
from that point until the green flag drops and they're
in their seat. So the NASCAR experience is an outstanding
(08:51):
way to enjoy the morning. You have driver Q and as,
you've got music, entertainment, all these displays to look at
and uh and be a part of. So yeah, it's
it's pretty exciting to be in that area. Uh, it's
kind of I don't know, gives you that real long
before the race even starts. The anticipation it just builds
(09:13):
every minute of the morning up until that two o'clock
green flag. So it's it's pretty pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
It's NASCAR Weekend at Martinsville Speedway coming up this weekend,
three big races and you can be a part of
all of it. How can folks get information about about
pre race experience, travel packages, tickets, all of that info.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Yeah, in my opinion, the best way to do it
is go online at Martinsall' speedway dot com. That way
you can see everything that's going on. You can see
the various ticket prices, and packages, schedule of events, what's
going on each day? So Martinsall Speedway dot com or
give us a call at eight seven seven. Race Tics
are a C E T I X or if you're
(09:56):
in the area, just stop buy and we'll take care
of you right there.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
It's an experience you we won't forget folks. Clay, we
appreciate you talking to us. Good luck this weekend. Hope
things go extremely well and hey, let's see them battle
it out to try to make it to the championship.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
You got it, Scott, thanks so much for having me
on
From my Heart Radio. I'm Scott Stevens and we're talking
racing once again as we are heading into the end
of the season for NASCAR. It's bittersweet, but it's still exciting.
And joining us on the line right now the president
of Martinsville Speedway, Clay Campbell. How you doing, sir?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
I am doing good, Scott, how are you?
Speaker 1 (00:16):
I'm doing great? And man, let me tell you, I'm
so excited here we are. We're heading into the final
race before the championship and it's at our favorite track,
Martinsville Speedway. I know that you guys are super excited
about this coming weekend.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
We really are. We've been excited for a while, but
now it's finally here. And you know, this is like
Christmas for everybody here at Speedway. We work hard for it,
we look forward to it, then all of a sudden,
boom is here, here we are race week. It's what
we've all all been looking forward to and working hard for.
So yeah, it's exciting. You know, we get things kicked
(00:50):
off well, things are going pretty pretty heavy right now
with all the load in and it just gets bigger
and bigger every day. But on track Act two that
he starts on Friday, three big days of racing. So
if you're a NASCAR fan, this is where you want
to be.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
You know, I was gonna ask how soon like activity
starts there? I guess yesterday trailer started showing up for
these teams that are getting set up and ready to go.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yeah, you know, it takes a lot of effort and
preparation to make this thing happen, and there's so much
support that show up to make it all happen. I mean, like,
for instance, this morning, I've been here since about six
o'clock and all of the Goodyear trucks, a NASCAR competition
(01:36):
haulers are moving in. Like I say, if you had
a time lapse camera that was up in the air
looked down at the track, it would just get bigger
every day. And it's amazing everything that goes into putting
this show on that the fans are not aware, they
don't really need to be aware of. It's not exciting
to them. But for us to see everything roll into town,
(01:58):
it's pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
It is pretty cool, and hey, speaking are pretty cool.
It looks like we're gonna have a nice weekend of
weather for all the events coming out.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Done it though, that's icing on the cake to have
a great forecast. Our ticket sales are really going well,
and you know that's part of it. If you know
the weather's it is going to be good for the
entire weekend, it makes it certainly easier on our fans
and particularly easier on us. Well.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
Of course, things get started, as you said, some of
the qualifying and that kind of thing this week, But
as far as the racing goes, we got the Craftsman
Truck Series coming up Friday.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Yeah, and we always look forward to that, and I
other fans do too. Craftsman Truck Series has been with
us since the very beginning of the Truck Series, and
the show they put on is just phenomenal. I think
the trucks are just ideal for Martinsville. But we always
look forward to Truck Night and you know, Friday night
under the lights, it's going to be exciting.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
Yeah. I've always thought that the trucks are better, are faster,
the handling is better on the short tracks. I mean
it's fun on the super speedways too, but man, seeing
those trucks on a track like Martinsville, it's pretty amazing.
Speaker 2 (03:11):
It really is. And you know, the short tracks is
where the truck series began. That's really what it started as,
and then they started migrating to the bigger tracks, and
they are good races wherever they go. Usually it's one
of the better races of the weekend, regardless of what
track it's on. But they always do put on a
really good show here. So another fans are anticipating that
(03:33):
to happen again Friday night, and I'm sure that's what
they'll see.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
And then of course coming up on Saturday, you got
the National Debt Relief twoin fifty for the Exfinity Series.
And when it comes to speed, these Infinity cars, well
they're just about as fast as Martinsville is the Cup cars.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
They are very little difference than that, and sometimes they're faster.
But another exciting event. That's a great thing about this weekend.
Like I said, if you're a NASCAR fan, this is
where you want to be because all three series are here,
playoff implications in all three series. You know, we're so
fortunate to be the penultimate event in the NASCAR Championship playoffs,
(04:10):
and you know you come in here with the round
of eight and you leave with four. Uh So I've
told people numerous times. If I had a chance of
being the championship race or where we are now, I
would take I would take this one because you've got
so much on the line before they head out to Phoenix,
So you know, it's it's make or break time for
(04:32):
these guys.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
No doubt about it. And as we come in, you
mentioned the final eight, there's still a few outside looking
in following the racing in Miami last weekend.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, and I think it really sets us up well
for a really, really good race. Think about Denny Hamlin,
he's on the outside looking in. He has to win,
you know, Ron Blaney he has to win, which he
did last year if you remember, and this and this
very same race. So yeah, we've got some good guys.
You know, they've got to make it happen. And what
(05:03):
better place to make it happen than here. We've all
seen the various things happen in this race that make
it so exciting there at the end. So I can't
wait to see it myself.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Yeah, the Infinity five hundred on Sunday, we're going to
be starting at two o'clock, so we'll be starting in sunshine.
But I guess we're going into the time change, so
we're going to actually be finishing in the dark.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
Yeah, and that's a good thing. Probably throws a throws
a little bit of a curve ball to the teams
on setups. You know they're setting up for like you say,
a two o'clock start temperature is supposed to be fairly warm,
so you know, you go into a warm racetrack and
then the sun goes down and it changes drastically. So
(05:45):
I think it's going to depend on who hits the
right combination on the setup and who doesn't.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
No doubt about that. So as far as fans go,
I got to tell you as a Virginia guy, Martinsville
has always been my favorite track. But you talk about
good family fund, that's a affordable Everything is so expensive
these days. You're out one hundred bucks if you take
your family to a movie. You can actually afford to
come to this race. You guys have some great price
(06:10):
packages for the weekend.
Speaker 2 (06:11):
We do, and we work hard at that. I know,
like you say, you go to a movie and it
costs quite a bit to a tend and we try
to keep our prices low. We try to keep our
concessions low. We still have the two dollars hot dog.
I don't think you go anywhere for entertainment that you
can buy a hot dog for two dollars and have
everything on it. But yeah, that's the key, and we
(06:33):
have so many I want to even get into it
because we have so many different packages for various groups, families, kids, youth,
the whole deal. But we want to make this affordable.
We want to make it where a family can come
out and enjoy a great day of racing and not
break the bank.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
And doing so, you know, there's probably folks listening now
that have been NASCAR fans watching on TV for most
of their lives. But still I talk to people from
time to time and they're like, yeah, I've never actually
been to a Cup race. I've never been to a
race weekend at Martinsville or Charlotte or Richmond or any
of these other tracks. You know, it's one thing to
be a fan, and we're glad you're fans, but seeing
(07:11):
it in person, there's nothing like it.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
No, we're very fortunate with this weekend in particular, NBC
does our broadcast and they do an outstanding job. If
you have to be at home and watch it on TV,
you'll enjoy it because they can bring out so much
that you may not know otherwise. But to your point,
there is nothing greater than being here, seeing it, smelling it,
(07:35):
feeling it, hearing it. The sensation you get by being
at a NASCAR race here at Martinsville is unlike any other.
There's not a bad seat in the house, You're fairly
close to the track regardless of where you sit, and
it's just an experience like none other. We're very fortunate
in nascarly have a lot of good race tracks, but
(07:57):
I think the experience that you have here at Martinsville
it tops it. It's unlike any experience you get, and
I'm sure you'd be particular death to be here. You
just have to experience it to belete it.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
No doubt about that. And of course the pre race
experience to me is so important. I mean, when we
come to a race at Martinsville, we get up early,
before the sun comes up. We've got our coffee, and
we get on the road and we come to Martinsville
and as we get out, the air is already electric
with the pre race experience outside the track.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Yeah, that's one thing that we focus on. Our event
experienced team and they do an outstanding job, but we
want I say it every year, but we want fans
once they get on property, once they get out of
their car, we want them to have something to do
from that point until the green flag drops and they're
in their seat. So the NASCAR experience is an outstanding
(08:51):
way to enjoy the morning. You have driver Q and as,
you've got music, entertainment, all these displays to look at
and uh and be a part of. So yeah, it's
it's pretty exciting to be in that area. Uh, it's
kind of I don't know, gives you that real long
before the race even starts. The anticipation it just builds
(09:13):
every minute of the morning up until that two o'clock
green flag. So it's it's pretty pretty cool.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
It's NASCAR Weekend at Martinsville Speedway coming up this weekend,
three big races and you can be a part of
all of it. How can folks get information about about
pre race experience, travel packages, tickets, all of that info.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
Yeah, in my opinion, the best way to do it
is go online at Martinsall' speedway dot com. That way
you can see everything that's going on. You can see
the various ticket prices, and packages, schedule of events, what's
going on each day? So Martinsall Speedway dot com or
give us a call at eight seven seven. Race Tics
are a C E T I X or if you're
(09:56):
in the area, just stop buy and we'll take care
of you right there.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
It's an experience you we won't forget folks. Clay, we
appreciate you talking to us. Good luck this weekend. Hope
things go extremely well and hey, let's see them battle
it out to try to make it to the championship.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
You got it, Scott, thanks so much for having me
on
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