March 24, 2025 • 17 mins
Interview Podcast: Talking Racing with Scott Stevens
Recorded Prior to: March 23, 2025
Guests: NASCAR CUP Series driver Christopher Bell and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell
In this episode of "Talking Racing," Scott Stevens is joined by NASCAR CUP Series driver Christopher Bell and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell to discuss the upcoming weekend of racing at Martinsville. Christopher Bell shares insights into his recent "Threepeat" winning streak and the disappointment of falling short of achieving four consecutive wins. He also delves into the unique challenges presented by Martinsville Speedway and explains why the Cookout 400's 400 laps, instead of the usual 500, could be advantageous for drivers.
To listen to the full interview, press the play (>) button below, or visit the "Talking Racing" podcast with Scott Stevens.
Recorded Prior to: March 23, 2025
Guests: NASCAR CUP Series driver Christopher Bell and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell
In this episode of "Talking Racing," Scott Stevens is joined by NASCAR CUP Series driver Christopher Bell and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell to discuss the upcoming weekend of racing at Martinsville. Christopher Bell shares insights into his recent "Threepeat" winning streak and the disappointment of falling short of achieving four consecutive wins. He also delves into the unique challenges presented by Martinsville Speedway and explains why the Cookout 400's 400 laps, instead of the usual 500, could be advantageous for drivers.
To listen to the full interview, press the play (>) button below, or visit the "Talking Racing" podcast with Scott Stevens.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, how you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
It's Scott Stevens from iHeartRadio, and we're talking racing today.
I love talking racing, and with the NASCAR Cup Series held,
with the field as deep and talented as it ever
has been, it's becoming very difficult to put together even
the most minor of winning streaks at stock car racing's
highest level. Let alone to have the opportunity that Christopher
(00:24):
Bell has had this year, and he joins us right
now to talk a little racing.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
How you doing, Christopher, Hey, Scott, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Hey, thanks for being here.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
And I gotta tell you, I was really pulling for
you to get the four peat. And I know, as
amazing as a three peat was and so few drivers
have ever done it, I know you wanted to get
number four, and I'm sorry that didn't work out.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yes, it.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Was a little bit of a struggle at Las Vegas
Motor Speedway. It kind of felt like the stars were
lining up there. About midway through the race. We had
to start in the back with a mechanical issue that
we changed the piece on the car. Starting the back,
got all the way up to the front, and I
think I got all the way up to second before
that pit stop mishap took me back out of it.
So you'll have that in big time softcar racing, and
(01:13):
number four we'll have to wait a little.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Bit, no doubt about it, but still a great accomplishment.
So congratulations on that. And of course now you've got
to shift your focus just a little bit. You got
to focus on Miami and then the week after that.
The reason you're here talking to us today in Rowan
Oak is because the week after that, of course Martinsville.
And so how do you refocus and put that four
(01:35):
pet behind you now and refocus on getting back in
the winter circle.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Yeah, it's pretty easy to do, just because of the
part of the schedule that we're in right now is
so important. We just came off of Phoenix and Las Vegas,
which are obviously two super important racetracks, being the championship event,
and then in the round of eight. Miami is a
little bit unique because it was in the playoffs last year,
but it kind of becomes a freebe now by the
(02:00):
time we get to Martinsville. That is mission critical to
be good there. So I know everyone is everyone takes
this spring race at Martinsville very seriously because if you
want to be in that championship. For racing for the title,
you have to be good at Martinsville Speedway. It's been
a place that's been up and down for myself. I
have had the highest of highs and the lowest of
(02:22):
lows throughout my career. So going back to twenty twenty
two where I was fortunate enough to win the Martinsville
Clock in that playoff race to advance myself to the
title race was a memory I'll never forget. And then
last fall was a memory I'll never forget being on
the losing side of it. So yeah, just trying to
improve our performance at the paper Clip and be strong
(02:45):
when we go back there in the fall.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Where is that beautiful Grandfather clock now?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
So I look at it every single day. Most of
my trophies, most of my trophies I have in my office,
but with it being a grandfather clock, I talked my
wife into keeping it out in our family room. So
every day I get to look at that thing. And actually,
we just spent a week on the West Coast, so
it's dead right now.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
I'm gonna have to go crank it back up right,
get back.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I know they're fantastic I've always dreamed of having one myself.
All Right, So let's talk about Martinsville a little bit.
How do you prepare mentally and physically for a race
at Martinsville compared to the other tracks, for example?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Yeah, So, especially the fall race with it being five
hundred laps, it is one of the longest races that
we have on our calendar, and they have changed the
spring race to four hundred laps, which I think has
been a great addition to the calendar because it puts
way more emphasis on being strong the entire race, and
the intensity level is picked up tremendously in that spring
(03:44):
race and it's kind of given it its own identity.
So you have a little bit more of a sprint
in the spring and you have a more endurance race
in the fall. But the car prep, the driver prep,
and what it takes to be good around the racetrack
is the same. So you can really learn a lot
about your Martinsville package throughout that spring race and kind
of know where you stack up against the competition for
(04:05):
the falls. So yeah, I personally love the four hundred
lap race at Martinsville because you have to push really
hard all race.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
You know, Martinsville is one of those tracks that didn't
really need more intensity.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
But you right, you normally don't struggle for moments at
Martinsville Speedway.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Do you have any memorable moments or highlights from your
I mean we talked about the win and then the
disappointment the year later, but anything memorable come to mind
about Martinsville and your racing career there.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Well, I mean, certainly from being a fan, I will
never forget that it might have been the same event
whenever Matt Kensyth and Joey Logano had their moment and
the crowd just went absolutely bonkers.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
That was wild.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
And I'm pretty sure Jeff Gordon winning to advance into
the championship event was that the same race. I think
it was the same race. That was definitely the most
memorable event I have as a fan. But yeah, I
throughout the truck Series. I was looking at my first
ever Grandfather clock in the closing laps in twenty seventeen,
and I had a run in with a lap car
(05:09):
that took me out of the event there.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I've had some heartbreak at Martinsville Speedway, but that went
in twenty twenty two was super special.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
You know, a lot of people don't think about Nascars
being a team sport, but it certainly is. So let's
talk about how your team contributes to your success at Martinsville.
I mean, are there any specific strategies or maybe adjustments
that you and your team will make for this track.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
Well, Martinsville is it's a short track, it's one of
the smallest tracks on the calendar.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
And with that being said, the.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Adjustments that you make on pitt Road in the pit
stop really really matter. There are some racetracks we were
just at Las Vegas where it's mostly aerodynamics that really
make the changes on the car, so it's hard to
make pit stop adjustments to really benefit yourself. But Martinsville,
those pit stop adjustments really helped because of the the
slower speeds there, so that's really important. Obviously, pitcrew performance
(06:05):
on getting the tires changed in time not making mistakes
is mission critical to having success at any racetrack, but Martinsville,
the field is so tight that you have.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
To have an excellent team around you to win.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Well.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Now, of course you're a young driver, but there are
drivers on the circuit younger than you. Now, so what
advice would you have for those younger drivers when it
comes to preparing for Martinsville.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Yeah, I mean Martinsville is a place that on paper
it looks pretty simple. You're like, oh, it's a short track.
Everyone grew up short track racing at some point. But
there is an art to being good there. And every
time you go to Martinsville there's a select few drivers
that perform really well. And Martinsville is a place that
rewards experience. So you know, it's all about getting through,
(06:52):
especially that five hundred lap race, like understanding what it
takes to be good at the end of five hundred
laps and saving your equipment and making sure that you
know you're not beating the nose off, beating the brakes
off of it. So and that's you can sit here
and tell all the rooky contenders or the younger guys that, hey,
you got to take care of your car. But until
(07:13):
you experience that event, it's it's very hard to be
prepared for it.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
So when you think about Martinsville, are there any particular
rivals or competitors or anybody that you'll be keeping an
eye on, especially during the.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Race, Well, definitely leading into the spring and the fall,
Martinsville Race. That is the place where payback happens. So
you have got to make sure that your enemy list
is cleared off by the time you get there.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
It'll be full again come the fall race, I'm sure.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
So on the playoffs it never disappoints.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Absolutely. Well, so let's talk about a personal note, if
you don't mind, How did you and your wife, Morgan,
who of course also has a deep family connection to racing.
How did y'all meet and what is her support and
her family support meant throughout your racing career.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Yeah, Morgan's she's she's great. She's been amazing and and
been alongside of me throughout my entire journey. And I
met her sprint car racing before I was even a
professional racer.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I lived in Ohio.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Her dad is a legendary sprint car mechanic, so she
would always make fun of me whenever I was going
off to do pavement races. She's like, oh, pavement racing
is boring, Why are you doing that? And now obviously
being at the you know, the national stock car level
is is something that she didn't and I didn't think
was a possibility. But you know, we're so forever, thankful
(08:35):
and blessed to be where we're at today. And and
you know, I think she's she may be slightly more
competitive than myself. She gets pretty fiery at times and
and you know, just helps guide me through the weekends.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
If you have any disagreements with drivers, they don't need
to watch out for you after the race, and probably
got to watch out for her.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
I think a lot of the drivers we need to
see set the wives in like a ring. Maybe that's
a maybe that's a sales pitch.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
There you go, Clay Campbell, there's a promotion opportunity for
us to work on. I think ROV would want to
be there for that. So you mentioned she's from Ohio.
You grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, right, So yes, how
did Norman, Oklahoma growing up there influence your racing career?
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Well, it didn't steer me towards NASCAR, that's for sure.
So Oklahoma football man, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Living in Norman.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
And my dad was a basketball coach, so none of
my family was into racing. And you know, my story
of how I ended up here is pretty crazy. But
you know, the short gist is there's dirt tracks around
the area, and I grew up dirt track racing, was
successful in that and got paired up with the Twyter
Racing development family and they took me to NASCAR.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
I've done some dirt track racing announcing and those sprint cars, man,
it's hard to keep up with what's going on with those.
They're almost completely sideways in the turns.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
They're fast and crazy, crazy beasts.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
No doubt about it. Well, finally, how do you balance
your professional racing career with your personal life? Because NASCAR
Cup Racing Series, it seems like it's just about all
year right now, and then when the season ends, prior
to going back to Daytona there's even testing going on
in the warmer climate. So how do you balance personal
and professional?
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Yeah, I mean right now, I'm at the point in
my life and I'm young enough, i have no kids,
so racing really is my world. And that's great whenever
it's going good, thankfully, like it is right now. But certainly,
whenever you get into the lulls of the of the
series or series of your year and you have down times,
you need something to break away from it. And so
(10:42):
you know, that. For me, that's always been dirt track
racing and finding hobbies outside of it. You know, I
live on or live in North Carolina. We got Lake
Norman there, so I'll go out and do some boating.
But yeah, whenever you're on the on the high of
the sport like I am right now, it's just you know,
you know, you eat, drinking, sleep and love it and
can't wait to get back to the track the next week.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
You do any fishing, I'm like Norman.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
I'm not much of a fisherman wife. My wife's more
of a fisher lady, I guess than me. But yeah,
I'm not much of a fisherman.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Well, finally tell me your thoughts about NASCAR fans. I
have been a lifelong fan of NASCAR, and you know,
I know that fans are special. Their dedication to the
sport is is extremely special. I mean for me, you know,
it is a family sport in that as long as
I can remember, my dad was taking me to races.
We were going to Martinsville, Bristol, Charlotte, North Wilkesboro, I
(11:36):
mean went to those races. We camped out. I recently
lost my dad, unfortunately, but some of that thank you.
Some of the most precious memories I have are going
to races and like in Bristol taking my dirt bike
and we camp at Bristol and somebody forgot to lock
the gate going to Bristol Dragway, so I got to
(11:56):
take my motorcycle out on the dragways and it was
only like a so I can only go so fast,
but going down through there and the memories of that.
You know, NASCAR fans truly are special, aren't.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Yeah, they're uh, they're some of the best, you know,
fans that we have in all of sports, and they're
just so passionate about their drivers. And you know, I
go back to that that Matt keinswith Joey Logano moment
at Martinsville Speedway several years ago, like all of the
Matt Kenswith's fans were cheering, all of the Joey fans
were booing, and the place just erupted and it every
(12:32):
driver like you have, you know, a couple of villains
out there, a couple of heroes, and and everyone buys
into it. So the atmosphere that you get because of
that is is second to none.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
And you know that can change too, because I can
remember when Denny Hamlin was the hero.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
And now he's become the villain, and he.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Somehow has become the villain.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
I mean, it's getting to be like the old WWE wrestling,
you know, are you on the good guys or the
bad guys kind of thing. But I think it demonstrates,
like you say, the passion of NASCAR our fans. Well, Christopher,
we wish you the best of luck in the upcoming
race in Miami and then of course, well I'll be
cheering for you here in Martinsville, So we appreciate your
time today.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
That race at Martinsville is going to be an important race,
and what you see in the spring is very indicative
of what you're going to see in the falls. So
those contenders are are going to be up there up front,
and myself on the twenty car, we're working to get there.
So yeah, super important race coming up.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Awesome, Well, good luck to you, and we'd like to
have the track president at Martinsville Speedway, mister Clay Campbell,
step up to the microphone. Clay, you and I have
talked many many times, and wow, what an exciting time
it is in NASCAR.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
It really is, and you're right we've talked many times.
I think this is the first time we've talked face
to face, usually on a phoner. But thanks for having
both of us here today. It's our pleasures.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Yes, absolutely, so exciting time there. Of course, you know,
I instid I don't want to jump into the hot
dogs too fast, but that's always a part of the
conversation for me and you.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
Well, you don't talk about Martinsall's Speedway without mentioning the
hot Two things will come up when you talk about Martinsville.
Three things actually, the excitement obviously, and Christopher just talked
about that, but the excitement of racing at Martinsville, the
hot dog obviously for the fans, and the Grandfather Clock
for the winner. Those two items always come up, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
And of course the Cup race is kind of the
end of a big racing weekend. You got a whole
weekend of racing plan we do.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
It's a huge weekend, three three races. So we start
out Friday night with the Boys and Girls Club of
the Blue Ridge two hundred for the Craftsman Truck Series
on Saturday, and we're really excited about this one. The
United States Marine Corps two fifty for the Sinity Series,
then obviously the cookout four hundred for the Cup Series
on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Yeah, no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
And you know when you talk about what you can
do with your family, I mean, the economy's pretty tight
right now. You guys have managed to keep the prices
affordable at Martinsville so that they can come out and
enjoy the experience.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
Well, that's true. And you and Christopher talked about the fans.
If it were not for the fans, we wouldn't be
here talking to you today. That's what keeps sport going
around and round. And we have some very passionate, dedicated fans,
not only in NASCAR, but particularly Martinsville started in nineteen
forty seven, and we actually have a few fans that
(15:13):
were at the very first race, just a couple. It's
it's amazing, But yeah, we and we try to do
something for the fans all the time. Our fan experience,
that's a focal point for us year in and year out.
If you come to Martinsville in the spring, more than
likely you'll see something different or have a different opportunity
in the fall. We're always looking for something new, and
(15:37):
you know, that's what.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Keeps us going.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
That's what keeps our team excited. What can we do
different to you know, move us to another level.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
No doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
And of course the day of the Cup race, really
it starts early because there is stuff going on outside
in the grounds of the speedway from the early morning
hours until race times.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
It really is and that goes back to the fan experience.
What we want the fans to see and do. From
the time a fan arrives on property, whatever time that
is in the morning, until the time they leave. We
want them to have something to see, to do our midway,
our pre race experience where you get see driver introductions,
things like that. Used to be it was just the race.
(16:19):
Now the race is the big part of it, but
there's something before all day long, there's something to keep
you energized. In fact, our campground opens the week before
the race, so this Saturday it opens and you know,
there are things for the fans to do. It's a
like a homecoming from many of our fans, no doubt
about it.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Having experienced camping at a racetrack, I really encourage you
to do that. If you have a camper, all right,
So where do folks go to get their tickets. I
know we always give the website and the phone number.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Yeah, give us a call it eight seven seven racetics
our A C E T I X, or go online
Martinsville Speedway dot com or just stop by the office
and we'll take care of you.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Klay Campbell, Track President, Martinsville Speedway. Thank you for being here,
and again, Christopher Bell, really appreciate you stopping by our
studios here at iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Scott all right on behalf of iHeartRadio New Country one
O seven nine wyy D and the Rocket Virginia ninety
six three ro O V. I'm Scott Stevens. We're talking racing.
Hey, how you doing.
Speaker 2 (00:00):
It's Scott Stevens from iHeartRadio, and we're talking racing today.
I love talking racing, and with the NASCAR Cup Series held,
with the field as deep and talented as it ever
has been, it's becoming very difficult to put together even
the most minor of winning streaks at stock car racing's
highest level. Let alone to have the opportunity that Christopher
(00:24):
Bell has had this year, and he joins us right
now to talk a little racing.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
How you doing, Christopher, Hey, Scott, thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Hey, thanks for being here.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
And I gotta tell you, I was really pulling for
you to get the four peat. And I know, as
amazing as a three peat was and so few drivers
have ever done it, I know you wanted to get
number four, and I'm sorry that didn't work out.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yes, it.
Speaker 4 (00:50):
Was a little bit of a struggle at Las Vegas
Motor Speedway. It kind of felt like the stars were
lining up there. About midway through the race. We had
to start in the back with a mechanical issue that
we changed the piece on the car. Starting the back,
got all the way up to the front, and I
think I got all the way up to second before
that pit stop mishap took me back out of it.
So you'll have that in big time softcar racing, and
(01:13):
number four we'll have to wait a little.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Bit, no doubt about it, but still a great accomplishment.
So congratulations on that. And of course now you've got
to shift your focus just a little bit. You got
to focus on Miami and then the week after that.
The reason you're here talking to us today in Rowan
Oak is because the week after that, of course Martinsville.
And so how do you refocus and put that four
(01:35):
pet behind you now and refocus on getting back in
the winter circle.
Speaker 4 (01:39):
Yeah, it's pretty easy to do, just because of the
part of the schedule that we're in right now is
so important. We just came off of Phoenix and Las Vegas,
which are obviously two super important racetracks, being the championship event,
and then in the round of eight. Miami is a
little bit unique because it was in the playoffs last year,
but it kind of becomes a freebe now by the
(02:00):
time we get to Martinsville. That is mission critical to
be good there. So I know everyone is everyone takes
this spring race at Martinsville very seriously because if you
want to be in that championship. For racing for the title,
you have to be good at Martinsville Speedway. It's been
a place that's been up and down for myself. I
have had the highest of highs and the lowest of
(02:22):
lows throughout my career. So going back to twenty twenty
two where I was fortunate enough to win the Martinsville
Clock in that playoff race to advance myself to the
title race was a memory I'll never forget. And then
last fall was a memory I'll never forget being on
the losing side of it. So yeah, just trying to
improve our performance at the paper Clip and be strong
(02:45):
when we go back there in the fall.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Where is that beautiful Grandfather clock now?
Speaker 4 (02:49):
So I look at it every single day. Most of
my trophies, most of my trophies I have in my office,
but with it being a grandfather clock, I talked my
wife into keeping it out in our family room. So
every day I get to look at that thing. And actually,
we just spent a week on the West Coast, so
it's dead right now.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
I'm gonna have to go crank it back up right,
get back.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I know they're fantastic I've always dreamed of having one myself.
All Right, So let's talk about Martinsville a little bit.
How do you prepare mentally and physically for a race
at Martinsville compared to the other tracks, for example?
Speaker 4 (03:22):
Yeah, So, especially the fall race with it being five
hundred laps, it is one of the longest races that
we have on our calendar, and they have changed the
spring race to four hundred laps, which I think has
been a great addition to the calendar because it puts
way more emphasis on being strong the entire race, and
the intensity level is picked up tremendously in that spring
(03:44):
race and it's kind of given it its own identity.
So you have a little bit more of a sprint
in the spring and you have a more endurance race
in the fall. But the car prep, the driver prep,
and what it takes to be good around the racetrack
is the same. So you can really learn a lot
about your Martinsville package throughout that spring race and kind
of know where you stack up against the competition for
(04:05):
the falls. So yeah, I personally love the four hundred
lap race at Martinsville because you have to push really
hard all race.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
You know, Martinsville is one of those tracks that didn't
really need more intensity.
Speaker 4 (04:16):
But you right, you normally don't struggle for moments at
Martinsville Speedway.
Speaker 2 (04:21):
Do you have any memorable moments or highlights from your
I mean we talked about the win and then the
disappointment the year later, but anything memorable come to mind
about Martinsville and your racing career there.
Speaker 4 (04:32):
Well, I mean, certainly from being a fan, I will
never forget that it might have been the same event
whenever Matt Kensyth and Joey Logano had their moment and
the crowd just went absolutely bonkers.
Speaker 3 (04:47):
That was wild.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
And I'm pretty sure Jeff Gordon winning to advance into
the championship event was that the same race. I think
it was the same race. That was definitely the most
memorable event I have as a fan. But yeah, I
throughout the truck Series. I was looking at my first
ever Grandfather clock in the closing laps in twenty seventeen,
and I had a run in with a lap car
(05:09):
that took me out of the event there.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
So I don't know.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
I've had some heartbreak at Martinsville Speedway, but that went
in twenty twenty two was super special.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
You know, a lot of people don't think about Nascars
being a team sport, but it certainly is. So let's
talk about how your team contributes to your success at Martinsville.
I mean, are there any specific strategies or maybe adjustments
that you and your team will make for this track.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
Well, Martinsville is it's a short track, it's one of
the smallest tracks on the calendar.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
And with that being said, the.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Adjustments that you make on pitt Road in the pit
stop really really matter. There are some racetracks we were
just at Las Vegas where it's mostly aerodynamics that really
make the changes on the car, so it's hard to
make pit stop adjustments to really benefit yourself. But Martinsville,
those pit stop adjustments really helped because of the the
slower speeds there, so that's really important. Obviously, pitcrew performance
(06:05):
on getting the tires changed in time not making mistakes
is mission critical to having success at any racetrack, but Martinsville,
the field is so tight that you have.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
To have an excellent team around you to win.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
Well.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
Now, of course you're a young driver, but there are
drivers on the circuit younger than you. Now, so what
advice would you have for those younger drivers when it
comes to preparing for Martinsville.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
Yeah, I mean Martinsville is a place that on paper
it looks pretty simple. You're like, oh, it's a short track.
Everyone grew up short track racing at some point. But
there is an art to being good there. And every
time you go to Martinsville there's a select few drivers
that perform really well. And Martinsville is a place that
rewards experience. So you know, it's all about getting through,
(06:52):
especially that five hundred lap race, like understanding what it
takes to be good at the end of five hundred
laps and saving your equipment and making sure that you
know you're not beating the nose off, beating the brakes
off of it. So and that's you can sit here
and tell all the rooky contenders or the younger guys that, hey,
you got to take care of your car. But until
(07:13):
you experience that event, it's it's very hard to be
prepared for it.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
So when you think about Martinsville, are there any particular
rivals or competitors or anybody that you'll be keeping an
eye on, especially during the.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
Race, Well, definitely leading into the spring and the fall,
Martinsville Race. That is the place where payback happens. So
you have got to make sure that your enemy list
is cleared off by the time you get there.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
It'll be full again come the fall race, I'm sure.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
So on the playoffs it never disappoints.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Absolutely. Well, so let's talk about a personal note, if
you don't mind, How did you and your wife, Morgan,
who of course also has a deep family connection to racing.
How did y'all meet and what is her support and
her family support meant throughout your racing career.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
Yeah, Morgan's she's she's great. She's been amazing and and
been alongside of me throughout my entire journey. And I
met her sprint car racing before I was even a
professional racer.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
I lived in Ohio.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Her dad is a legendary sprint car mechanic, so she
would always make fun of me whenever I was going
off to do pavement races. She's like, oh, pavement racing
is boring, Why are you doing that? And now obviously
being at the you know, the national stock car level
is is something that she didn't and I didn't think
was a possibility. But you know, we're so forever, thankful
(08:35):
and blessed to be where we're at today. And and
you know, I think she's she may be slightly more
competitive than myself. She gets pretty fiery at times and
and you know, just helps guide me through the weekends.
Speaker 1 (08:49):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
If you have any disagreements with drivers, they don't need
to watch out for you after the race, and probably
got to watch out for her.
Speaker 4 (08:55):
I think a lot of the drivers we need to
see set the wives in like a ring. Maybe that's
a maybe that's a sales pitch.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
There you go, Clay Campbell, there's a promotion opportunity for
us to work on. I think ROV would want to
be there for that. So you mentioned she's from Ohio.
You grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, right, So yes, how
did Norman, Oklahoma growing up there influence your racing career?
Speaker 4 (09:16):
Well, it didn't steer me towards NASCAR, that's for sure.
So Oklahoma football man, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Living in Norman.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
And my dad was a basketball coach, so none of
my family was into racing. And you know, my story
of how I ended up here is pretty crazy. But
you know, the short gist is there's dirt tracks around
the area, and I grew up dirt track racing, was
successful in that and got paired up with the Twyter
Racing development family and they took me to NASCAR.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
I've done some dirt track racing announcing and those sprint cars, man,
it's hard to keep up with what's going on with those.
They're almost completely sideways in the turns.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
They're fast and crazy, crazy beasts.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
No doubt about it. Well, finally, how do you balance
your professional racing career with your personal life? Because NASCAR
Cup Racing Series, it seems like it's just about all
year right now, and then when the season ends, prior
to going back to Daytona there's even testing going on
in the warmer climate. So how do you balance personal
and professional?
Speaker 4 (10:21):
Yeah, I mean right now, I'm at the point in
my life and I'm young enough, i have no kids,
so racing really is my world. And that's great whenever
it's going good, thankfully, like it is right now. But certainly,
whenever you get into the lulls of the of the
series or series of your year and you have down times,
you need something to break away from it. And so
(10:42):
you know, that. For me, that's always been dirt track
racing and finding hobbies outside of it. You know, I
live on or live in North Carolina. We got Lake
Norman there, so I'll go out and do some boating.
But yeah, whenever you're on the on the high of
the sport like I am right now, it's just you know,
you know, you eat, drinking, sleep and love it and
can't wait to get back to the track the next week.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
You do any fishing, I'm like Norman.
Speaker 4 (11:04):
I'm not much of a fisherman wife. My wife's more
of a fisher lady, I guess than me. But yeah,
I'm not much of a fisherman.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (11:12):
Well, finally tell me your thoughts about NASCAR fans. I
have been a lifelong fan of NASCAR, and you know,
I know that fans are special. Their dedication to the
sport is is extremely special. I mean for me, you know,
it is a family sport in that as long as
I can remember, my dad was taking me to races.
We were going to Martinsville, Bristol, Charlotte, North Wilkesboro, I
(11:36):
mean went to those races. We camped out. I recently
lost my dad, unfortunately, but some of that thank you.
Some of the most precious memories I have are going
to races and like in Bristol taking my dirt bike
and we camp at Bristol and somebody forgot to lock
the gate going to Bristol Dragway, so I got to
(11:56):
take my motorcycle out on the dragways and it was
only like a so I can only go so fast,
but going down through there and the memories of that.
You know, NASCAR fans truly are special, aren't.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
Yeah, they're uh, they're some of the best, you know,
fans that we have in all of sports, and they're
just so passionate about their drivers. And you know, I
go back to that that Matt keinswith Joey Logano moment
at Martinsville Speedway several years ago, like all of the
Matt Kenswith's fans were cheering, all of the Joey fans
were booing, and the place just erupted and it every
(12:32):
driver like you have, you know, a couple of villains
out there, a couple of heroes, and and everyone buys
into it. So the atmosphere that you get because of
that is is second to none.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
And you know that can change too, because I can
remember when Denny Hamlin was the hero.
Speaker 3 (12:47):
And now he's become the villain, and he.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
Somehow has become the villain.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
I mean, it's getting to be like the old WWE wrestling,
you know, are you on the good guys or the
bad guys kind of thing. But I think it demonstrates,
like you say, the passion of NASCAR our fans. Well, Christopher,
we wish you the best of luck in the upcoming
race in Miami and then of course, well I'll be
cheering for you here in Martinsville, So we appreciate your
time today.
Speaker 4 (13:09):
That race at Martinsville is going to be an important race,
and what you see in the spring is very indicative
of what you're going to see in the falls. So
those contenders are are going to be up there up front,
and myself on the twenty car, we're working to get there.
So yeah, super important race coming up.
Speaker 2 (13:27):
Awesome, Well, good luck to you, and we'd like to
have the track president at Martinsville Speedway, mister Clay Campbell,
step up to the microphone. Clay, you and I have
talked many many times, and wow, what an exciting time
it is in NASCAR.
Speaker 5 (13:39):
It really is, and you're right we've talked many times.
I think this is the first time we've talked face
to face, usually on a phoner. But thanks for having
both of us here today. It's our pleasures.
Speaker 2 (13:48):
Yes, absolutely, so exciting time there. Of course, you know,
I instid I don't want to jump into the hot
dogs too fast, but that's always a part of the
conversation for me and you.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
Well, you don't talk about Martinsall's Speedway without mentioning the
hot Two things will come up when you talk about Martinsville.
Three things actually, the excitement obviously, and Christopher just talked
about that, but the excitement of racing at Martinsville, the
hot dog obviously for the fans, and the Grandfather Clock
for the winner. Those two items always come up, no doubt.
Speaker 2 (14:15):
And of course the Cup race is kind of the
end of a big racing weekend. You got a whole
weekend of racing plan we do.
Speaker 5 (14:21):
It's a huge weekend, three three races. So we start
out Friday night with the Boys and Girls Club of
the Blue Ridge two hundred for the Craftsman Truck Series
on Saturday, and we're really excited about this one. The
United States Marine Corps two fifty for the Sinity Series,
then obviously the cookout four hundred for the Cup Series
on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
Yeah, no doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (14:40):
And you know when you talk about what you can
do with your family, I mean, the economy's pretty tight
right now. You guys have managed to keep the prices
affordable at Martinsville so that they can come out and
enjoy the experience.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
Well, that's true. And you and Christopher talked about the fans.
If it were not for the fans, we wouldn't be
here talking to you today. That's what keeps sport going
around and round. And we have some very passionate, dedicated fans,
not only in NASCAR, but particularly Martinsville started in nineteen
forty seven, and we actually have a few fans that
(15:13):
were at the very first race, just a couple. It's
it's amazing, But yeah, we and we try to do
something for the fans all the time. Our fan experience,
that's a focal point for us year in and year out.
If you come to Martinsville in the spring, more than
likely you'll see something different or have a different opportunity
in the fall. We're always looking for something new, and
(15:37):
you know, that's what.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Keeps us going.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
That's what keeps our team excited. What can we do
different to you know, move us to another level.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
No doubt about it.
Speaker 2 (15:46):
And of course the day of the Cup race, really
it starts early because there is stuff going on outside
in the grounds of the speedway from the early morning
hours until race times.
Speaker 5 (15:56):
It really is and that goes back to the fan experience.
What we want the fans to see and do. From
the time a fan arrives on property, whatever time that
is in the morning, until the time they leave. We
want them to have something to see, to do our midway,
our pre race experience where you get see driver introductions,
things like that. Used to be it was just the race.
(16:19):
Now the race is the big part of it, but
there's something before all day long, there's something to keep
you energized. In fact, our campground opens the week before
the race, so this Saturday it opens and you know,
there are things for the fans to do. It's a
like a homecoming from many of our fans, no doubt
about it.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Having experienced camping at a racetrack, I really encourage you
to do that. If you have a camper, all right,
So where do folks go to get their tickets. I
know we always give the website and the phone number.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Yeah, give us a call it eight seven seven racetics
our A C E T I X, or go online
Martinsville Speedway dot com or just stop by the office
and we'll take care of you.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
Klay Campbell, Track President, Martinsville Speedway. Thank you for being here,
and again, Christopher Bell, really appreciate you stopping by our
studios here at iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Thanks.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Scott all right on behalf of iHeartRadio New Country one
O seven nine wyy D and the Rocket Virginia ninety
six three ro O V. I'm Scott Stevens. We're talking racing.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!