October 16, 2025 • 11 mins
🎯 Championship Weekend at Martinsville: Clay Campbell Previews the High-Stakes ActionFrom iHeart Radio, Scott Stevens sat down with Clay Campbell, Track President of Martinsville Speedway, to preview one of the most anticipated weekends in NASCAR — the Xfinity 500 and the final playoff elimination races before the championship showdown.🏁 Four Races, One Epic WeekendMartinsville isn’t just hosting the NASCAR Cup Series — it’s the stage for a four-race spectacle. The weekend kicks off with the Modifieds, followed by the Craftsman Truck Series on Friday night, the Xfinity Series on Saturday, and the Cup Series on Sunday. Each race is a playoff pressure cooker, especially Sunday’s Round of 8, where only four drivers will advance to the championship.“You come in here with eight and you leave with four — that is high pressure,” Campbell said. “And what better place to have high pressure than Martinsville Speedway?”🔥 Expect the UnexpectedCampbell compared Martinsville to Talladega in one key way: unpredictability. With 40 cars packed onto the half-mile oval, anything can happen — and often does. But unlike Talladega, Martinsville puts more control in the hands of the driver.“Christopher Bell told me he loves Martinsville because he has input on what happens,” Campbell shared.🎉 Fan Experience Like No OtherMartinsville isn’t just about racing — it’s about immersion. Fans can expect a jam-packed Midway with souvenir trailers, musical acts, and Q&A sessions. Those with pre-race passes can walk the track, sign the start/finish line, and get up close with drivers like Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and Todd Gilliland.And don’t miss Sunday’s national anthem performed by the 300-member Liberty University Marching Band — a spectacle in itself.🌭 Hot Dogs & Grandfather ClocksNo Martinsville weekend is complete without its legendary hot dogs. Campbell estimates 50,000 to 60,000 will be sold over the weekend. And of course, every driver — championship contender or not — wants to win the iconic grandfather clock trophy.“It’s the most sought-after trophy in all of motorsports — maybe all of sports,” Campbell said, teasing a new clock design debuting in 2026.💸 Affordable Fun for the Whole FamilyIn an era of skyrocketing ticket prices, Martinsville remains one of the most affordable major sporting events. Cup Series tickets start at just $45.“Where else can you see a major sporting event for that price?” Campbell asked. “Go to martinsvillespeedway.com or call 877-RACETICS to grab your tickets.”🎧 Listen InCatch the full interview with Clay Campbell and hear more about the excitement, strategy, and behind-the-scenes magic of Martinsville’s championship weekend. Click here to listen to the full audio.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
From iHeartRadio. I'm Scott Stevens Man. I'm excited the final
NASCAR Cup Series race before the championship coming to Martinsville.
Can't think of a better place for it to be.
The Infinity five hundred at Martinsville Speedway, a tradition for
the playoff Elimar elimination race. And to talk about that
and the entire race weekend, not three races but four.
(00:21):
Actually we'll join the track president right now, mister Clay Campbell.
How you doing, sir?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
I'm doing great, Scott. It's good to talk to you again,
and it's really exciting that it's that time of year
once more. So we've got we've got a big weekend
all lined up and uh, it's about here and we're
about ready. So let's do it.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Let's do it. Indeed, of course there's a race this
weekend before we go to Martinsville, and about as different
from Martinsville as you can get, I would, I would think, right.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
It really is. But you know, I've used the I've
used the analogy that Talladega and Martinsville, although they're so
different from one on other, uh, and in one aspect
you get the same type results, which is they're totally unexpected.
You put forty cars together at Talladega and you don't
(01:14):
know what's going to happen. You put forty cars together
here at Martinsville the same thing. You don't know what's
going to happen. So the only difference main difference obviously
the size and the speed and all that. But I
think the driver has more has more of a role,
a critical role and the end here than they do
(01:35):
a Talladega. So many things happen there the driver has
no control over. I was talking to Christopher Belle yesterday
and he said that's that's the big difference. He loves
the Martinsville because he has input on what happens.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah, often at Talladega you have to gas pedal all
the way to the floor and you just try to
stay out of rex and that's how you succeed at Talladega.
But at Martinsville, you know, there's a lot of strategy involved,
both at the beginning, the middle, and the end of
the race.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
It really is. I mean, if you look at five
hundred laps here on a half mile track that you know,
strategy plays into it. Stage breaks play into that strategy.
The tire is the same tire. I believe that they
ran in the spring here, so they have a little
history there. But you know, temperatures make a big difference.
(02:21):
So you know, there's so many things that play into
that final outcome and that's what makes it really interesting
for the fans. You know, when the guys pit, when
they don't you know, do they save anything for the end,
And you know, this being the penultimate race in the playoffs,
it's really critical that number one, you don't make mistakes
(02:44):
and number two, you're there at the end to at
least have a shot at it.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
No doubt. And of course the racing weekend. We talk
a lot about the Craftsman Truck Series on Friday, the
Expinity Series on Saturday, and of course the Cup race
on Sunday. But you're actually starting up the big race
weekend on Thursday, Dah, October twenty third. You've got some
Masdas coming to town.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Yeah, and you know we did this last year with
ems Masa MX five Cup Series. They put on a
heck of a show and it you know, for people
to say, what is that If you go to a
Masa dealer and you want to buy me out of
you're pretty much looking at what we're racing Thursday night.
Although they're you know, roll cages and there may made
(03:25):
to be a race car, but those guys were really
really good at putting on a show. And I think
we're going to have more this year than we had
last year because last year was they you know, was
the first time that they run on an oval, first
time that had safer barriers and walls to contend with.
So a lot of guys didn't want to be the
guinea pig and come run that race. Now they saw
(03:49):
that it worked. I don't think we had anything anything
major at all. Maybe a spin or two, but that
was it. The racing was intense. So we've got that
doubleheader the NASCAR Wheeling Modified Tour, that's their championship with them,
I think the first and second place guys, they're separated
by it's less than ten points, so that's going to
come down to the wires. So Thursday night's going to
(04:10):
be a really good night for racing here.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Yeah, those Modified race hard looking forward to that. Of course.
The weekend then continues and kicks off for Championship Weekend
for the Craftsman Truck Series coming up on Friday night.
The Infinity on Saturday, and of course the Cup race
on Sunday. And we're talking about a huge weekend with big,
big things in.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Play here, we really are. I mean you said it
with the Truck Series Friday, Stanity, Saturday, Cup Sunday, and
all of them are the penultimate in the playoffs. So
you go from X number down to X number. So say,
for instance, on Sunday, this is the round of eight,
So you come in here with eight and you leave
with four. That is high pressure. That is really high pressure.
(04:56):
And what better place to have high pressure than Martinsville Speedway.
I mean you can, you can make things happen. And
don't forget about the guys that are not in that
round to eight. You know, I've seen over the years
race drivers don't forget anything. So those that don't even
have a chance of the championship since they're not in
a round to eight, Yeah, like I say, they don't forget.
(05:17):
They may have some scores to settle and they could
care less about who's running for the championship. They're going
to get all they can to be in the you know, ninth, tenth, eleven, twelve,
things like that. So it makes for a great race.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Martinsville Speedway has been hosting races since nineteen forty nine.
It's been loved and endured by those of us that
love NASCAR in part because of the fan experiences. So,
you know, when thinking about people coming to Martinsville, what
are some of the special fan experiences planned for the weekend,
and especially for those who are attending all three days
(05:52):
or all four days.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, that's always it's always a high vocal point for us.
We told you in the past that our intent is
when a fan arrives on property, whichever day he comes
in he or she, we want him to have something
to do from the time they get out of the
car until they get back in after the race is over.
So our our midway is we're absolutely packed in the midway.
(06:17):
We have no room for anything else. The NASCAR experience,
a lot of Q and A's, musical acts, you name it.
Everything goes on down there, the souvenir trailers for your
favorite driver, all different kinds of things. So that's you know,
that's always must sy. Then once you get in the
in the gates, if you buy a pre race experience,
(06:38):
you get to go on the racetrack, you get to
be within feat of the race cars that are lined
up on Pitt Road. You're on the straightaway, you get
to sign you know, the start finish line, you get
to watch all the Q and as on the stage,
be a part of pre race festivities. I think right
now we've got on the pre race experience stage. We've
got Blaney, Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Todd Gilliland. So we've got
(07:01):
a good lineup of drivers that will be up there
all morning doing some Q and A. So it's just
a lot to see and enjoy, not just to race itself,
but everything leading up to it. That one thing that's
going to be pretty cool for Sunday the national anthem
that'll be performed by the Liberty University Marching Band, which
(07:22):
is close to three hundred members, So that's going to
be pretty awesome to have that many in a band
down the front stretch. But you know, things like that,
we just work to make it better and better every year,
and I think we do.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Man, that'll be great to see the Liberty Marching Band
on the front stretch, getting them on and off the track.
I'm sure is some logistics involved in that, but it'll
be enjoyable, you know, speaking of the track, does Richard
Petty still hold the record for the most wins and
do you think it could ever be broken?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
He does hold the record fifteen. I believe it may
be broken. It's not going to be easy. You've got
so many, so many top notch teams now that you know,
if you look at the round of eight, those eight
guys in there right now, I think everybody has won
here with exception of Briscoe, And so that shows you
(08:12):
if you have that many winners, you know that it
takes a long time to accumulate fifteen wins. And you know,
in the day when Richard was winning, you didn't have
you know, you didn't have ten guys that were contenders
every week. So it's a little bit different era. Not
taking anything away from Richard, because that was a heck
(08:32):
of a feat to win that many, but now it's
just a little bit different.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Of course, I've talked a lot through the years. When
you and I talk about the famous Martinsville hot dog,
I'm curious, how many do you think you'll sell that
weekend of those famous Martinsville hot dogs?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Good question, Scott. On a good day, it's usually around
between fifty to sixty thousand.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Oh my gosh, that's a lot of hot dogs.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
That is a bunch of hot dogs, but you know,
fans love them. I had a corporate call yesterday and
we were doing something with that and the hot dogs
came up and somebody said, well, didn't expect that come
up on this call. But I said, well, you don't
have many conversations where you talk about Martinswall where the
hot dog is not brought up.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Well, that and the Grandfather Clock. Of course, every one
of those drivers, whether they're in the championship running or not,
they want to win that Grandfather Clock.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Absolutely, it's the most sought after trophy in all of
motorsports and maybe all of sports. And we've got some
exciting news that we will announce next Friday. We have
a new provider for the clock. I'm not going to
spell the beans now and say who that is, but
we're really excited that we've got a new clock starting
in twenty six. It is gorgeous, beautiful clock and actually
(09:48):
people will be surprised where it came from.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
I can't wait to hear and I can't wait to
share it with the listeners. But before we go, hey, listen,
this isn't affordable. I was just talking to a friend
of mine who lived in Atlanta who was talking about
how much it costs to go to see NFL football
games in Major League Baseball games, and I'll say, you
need to become a NASCAR fan because you can afford
to go to races way easier than you can all
(10:13):
of that. So you've got great packages and plans where
folks can buy their tickets to come out either for
the whole weekend or the race of their choice.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Absolutely, you can get in in here for the Cup
Day for forty five dollars and change. Where are you
going to go see a major a major sporting event,
and that's what your ticket costs. It's unheard of, so
forty five and change. I would advise going on Martinsall
Speedway dot com. You can see all the different ticket prices, packages,
(10:43):
the various things to see and do, where those tickets
are located. That's that's the best way to do it.
Or just give us a call of eight seven seven
Racetis and we'll take care of you. But it's going
to be a great weekend for NASCAR racing here at
Martins Ball.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Well, friends, if you're a NASCAR fan, you've only watched
on TV and you've never experienced it in person. You
need to. That's something that everybody who loves racing needs
to experience in person. You think it's fun to watch
on TV or listen to on the radio, you ain't
seen nothing until you've been at Martinsville Speedway and you've
seen those drivers bumper to bumper at full speed. It
(11:20):
is amazing. It's a lot of fun. I guarantee you
you're gonna want to come back after you come so
Martinsville Speedway dot Com and of course Clay, it's always
a pleasure to catch up with you and good luck
next weekend. Maybe we we'll chat again before we get
to the actual race about who the eight are heading in,
before we find out who the final four are.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Sounds like a plan. Scott, good to talk to you
as always,
From iHeartRadio. I'm Scott Stevens Man. I'm excited the final
NASCAR Cup Series race before the championship coming to Martinsville.
Can't think of a better place for it to be.
The Infinity five hundred at Martinsville Speedway, a tradition for
the playoff Elimar elimination race. And to talk about that
and the entire race weekend, not three races but four.
(00:21):
Actually we'll join the track president right now, mister Clay Campbell.
How you doing, sir?
Speaker 2 (00:26):
I'm doing great, Scott. It's good to talk to you again,
and it's really exciting that it's that time of year
once more. So we've got we've got a big weekend
all lined up and uh, it's about here and we're
about ready. So let's do it.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
Let's do it. Indeed, of course there's a race this
weekend before we go to Martinsville, and about as different
from Martinsville as you can get, I would, I would think, right.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
It really is. But you know, I've used the I've
used the analogy that Talladega and Martinsville, although they're so
different from one on other, uh, and in one aspect
you get the same type results, which is they're totally unexpected.
You put forty cars together at Talladega and you don't
(01:14):
know what's going to happen. You put forty cars together
here at Martinsville the same thing. You don't know what's
going to happen. So the only difference main difference obviously
the size and the speed and all that. But I
think the driver has more has more of a role,
a critical role and the end here than they do
(01:35):
a Talladega. So many things happen there the driver has
no control over. I was talking to Christopher Belle yesterday
and he said that's that's the big difference. He loves
the Martinsville because he has input on what happens.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Yeah, often at Talladega you have to gas pedal all
the way to the floor and you just try to
stay out of rex and that's how you succeed at Talladega.
But at Martinsville, you know, there's a lot of strategy involved,
both at the beginning, the middle, and the end of
the race.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
It really is. I mean, if you look at five
hundred laps here on a half mile track that you know,
strategy plays into it. Stage breaks play into that strategy.
The tire is the same tire. I believe that they
ran in the spring here, so they have a little
history there. But you know, temperatures make a big difference.
(02:21):
So you know, there's so many things that play into
that final outcome and that's what makes it really interesting
for the fans. You know, when the guys pit, when
they don't you know, do they save anything for the end,
And you know, this being the penultimate race in the playoffs,
it's really critical that number one, you don't make mistakes
(02:44):
and number two, you're there at the end to at
least have a shot at it.
Speaker 1 (02:47):
No doubt. And of course the racing weekend. We talk
a lot about the Craftsman Truck Series on Friday, the
Expinity Series on Saturday, and of course the Cup race
on Sunday. But you're actually starting up the big race
weekend on Thursday, Dah, October twenty third. You've got some
Masdas coming to town.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Yeah, and you know we did this last year with
ems Masa MX five Cup Series. They put on a
heck of a show and it you know, for people
to say, what is that If you go to a
Masa dealer and you want to buy me out of
you're pretty much looking at what we're racing Thursday night.
Although they're you know, roll cages and there may made
(03:25):
to be a race car, but those guys were really
really good at putting on a show. And I think
we're going to have more this year than we had
last year because last year was they you know, was
the first time that they run on an oval, first
time that had safer barriers and walls to contend with.
So a lot of guys didn't want to be the
guinea pig and come run that race. Now they saw
(03:49):
that it worked. I don't think we had anything anything
major at all. Maybe a spin or two, but that
was it. The racing was intense. So we've got that
doubleheader the NASCAR Wheeling Modified Tour, that's their championship with them,
I think the first and second place guys, they're separated
by it's less than ten points, so that's going to
come down to the wires. So Thursday night's going to
(04:10):
be a really good night for racing here.
Speaker 1 (04:13):
Yeah, those Modified race hard looking forward to that. Of course.
The weekend then continues and kicks off for Championship Weekend
for the Craftsman Truck Series coming up on Friday night.
The Infinity on Saturday, and of course the Cup race
on Sunday. And we're talking about a huge weekend with big,
big things in.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Play here, we really are. I mean you said it
with the Truck Series Friday, Stanity, Saturday, Cup Sunday, and
all of them are the penultimate in the playoffs. So
you go from X number down to X number. So say,
for instance, on Sunday, this is the round of eight,
So you come in here with eight and you leave
with four. That is high pressure. That is really high pressure.
(04:56):
And what better place to have high pressure than Martinsville Speedway.
I mean you can, you can make things happen. And
don't forget about the guys that are not in that
round to eight. You know, I've seen over the years
race drivers don't forget anything. So those that don't even
have a chance of the championship since they're not in
a round to eight, Yeah, like I say, they don't forget.
(05:17):
They may have some scores to settle and they could
care less about who's running for the championship. They're going
to get all they can to be in the you know, ninth, tenth, eleven, twelve,
things like that. So it makes for a great race.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Martinsville Speedway has been hosting races since nineteen forty nine.
It's been loved and endured by those of us that
love NASCAR in part because of the fan experiences. So,
you know, when thinking about people coming to Martinsville, what
are some of the special fan experiences planned for the weekend,
and especially for those who are attending all three days
(05:52):
or all four days.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Yeah, that's always it's always a high vocal point for us.
We told you in the past that our intent is
when a fan arrives on property, whichever day he comes
in he or she, we want him to have something
to do from the time they get out of the
car until they get back in after the race is over.
So our our midway is we're absolutely packed in the midway.
(06:17):
We have no room for anything else. The NASCAR experience,
a lot of Q and A's, musical acts, you name it.
Everything goes on down there, the souvenir trailers for your
favorite driver, all different kinds of things. So that's you know,
that's always must sy. Then once you get in the
in the gates, if you buy a pre race experience,
(06:38):
you get to go on the racetrack, you get to
be within feat of the race cars that are lined
up on Pitt Road. You're on the straightaway, you get
to sign you know, the start finish line, you get
to watch all the Q and as on the stage,
be a part of pre race festivities. I think right
now we've got on the pre race experience stage. We've
got Blaney, Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Todd Gilliland. So we've got
(07:01):
a good lineup of drivers that will be up there
all morning doing some Q and A. So it's just
a lot to see and enjoy, not just to race itself,
but everything leading up to it. That one thing that's
going to be pretty cool for Sunday the national anthem
that'll be performed by the Liberty University Marching Band, which
(07:22):
is close to three hundred members, So that's going to
be pretty awesome to have that many in a band
down the front stretch. But you know, things like that,
we just work to make it better and better every year,
and I think we do.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Man, that'll be great to see the Liberty Marching Band
on the front stretch, getting them on and off the track.
I'm sure is some logistics involved in that, but it'll
be enjoyable, you know, speaking of the track, does Richard
Petty still hold the record for the most wins and
do you think it could ever be broken?
Speaker 2 (07:49):
He does hold the record fifteen. I believe it may
be broken. It's not going to be easy. You've got
so many, so many top notch teams now that you know,
if you look at the round of eight, those eight
guys in there right now, I think everybody has won
here with exception of Briscoe, And so that shows you
(08:12):
if you have that many winners, you know that it
takes a long time to accumulate fifteen wins. And you know,
in the day when Richard was winning, you didn't have
you know, you didn't have ten guys that were contenders
every week. So it's a little bit different era. Not
taking anything away from Richard, because that was a heck
(08:32):
of a feat to win that many, but now it's
just a little bit different.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Of course, I've talked a lot through the years. When
you and I talk about the famous Martinsville hot dog,
I'm curious, how many do you think you'll sell that
weekend of those famous Martinsville hot dogs?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Good question, Scott. On a good day, it's usually around
between fifty to sixty thousand.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Oh my gosh, that's a lot of hot dogs.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
That is a bunch of hot dogs, but you know,
fans love them. I had a corporate call yesterday and
we were doing something with that and the hot dogs
came up and somebody said, well, didn't expect that come
up on this call. But I said, well, you don't
have many conversations where you talk about Martinswall where the
hot dog is not brought up.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
Well, that and the Grandfather Clock. Of course, every one
of those drivers, whether they're in the championship running or not,
they want to win that Grandfather Clock.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Absolutely, it's the most sought after trophy in all of
motorsports and maybe all of sports. And we've got some
exciting news that we will announce next Friday. We have
a new provider for the clock. I'm not going to
spell the beans now and say who that is, but
we're really excited that we've got a new clock starting
in twenty six. It is gorgeous, beautiful clock and actually
(09:48):
people will be surprised where it came from.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
I can't wait to hear and I can't wait to
share it with the listeners. But before we go, hey, listen,
this isn't affordable. I was just talking to a friend
of mine who lived in Atlanta who was talking about
how much it costs to go to see NFL football
games in Major League Baseball games, and I'll say, you
need to become a NASCAR fan because you can afford
to go to races way easier than you can all
(10:13):
of that. So you've got great packages and plans where
folks can buy their tickets to come out either for
the whole weekend or the race of their choice.
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Absolutely, you can get in in here for the Cup
Day for forty five dollars and change. Where are you
going to go see a major a major sporting event,
and that's what your ticket costs. It's unheard of, so
forty five and change. I would advise going on Martinsall
Speedway dot com. You can see all the different ticket prices, packages,
(10:43):
the various things to see and do, where those tickets
are located. That's that's the best way to do it.
Or just give us a call of eight seven seven
Racetis and we'll take care of you. But it's going
to be a great weekend for NASCAR racing here at
Martins Ball.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
Well, friends, if you're a NASCAR fan, you've only watched
on TV and you've never experienced it in person. You
need to. That's something that everybody who loves racing needs
to experience in person. You think it's fun to watch
on TV or listen to on the radio, you ain't
seen nothing until you've been at Martinsville Speedway and you've
seen those drivers bumper to bumper at full speed. It
(11:20):
is amazing. It's a lot of fun. I guarantee you
you're gonna want to come back after you come so
Martinsville Speedway dot Com and of course Clay, it's always
a pleasure to catch up with you and good luck
next weekend. Maybe we we'll chat again before we get
to the actual race about who the eight are heading in,
before we find out who the final four are.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
Sounds like a plan. Scott, good to talk to you
as always,
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