NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville explained

Race Title:NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville
Series Long:NASCAR Xfinity Series
Series Short:NXS
Venue:Martinsville Speedway
Location:Ridgeway, Virginia, United States
Surface:Asphalt
Concrete (turns)
Length Mi:0.526
Turns:4

Stock car racing events in the NASCAR Xfinity Series have been held at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia during numerous seasons and times of year since the series’ inception in 1982. Races were first held from 1982 to 1994, and a one-off race occurred in July 2006. In October 2020, the series returned after a 14-year absence, adding a second date in 2021.

Spring race

Race Title:Dude Wipes 250
Series Long:NASCAR Xfinity Series
Series Short:NXS
Venue:Martinsville Speedway
Location:Ridgeway, Virginia, United States
Sponsor:Dude Wipes
First Race:1970
First Series Race:1982
Distance:131.2miles
Laps:250[1]
Stages 1/2: 60 each
Final stage: 130
Previous Names:Dogwood 500 (1982)
Miller Time 250 (1983–1984)
Miller 200 (1985)
Miller Classic (1988–1991)
Miller 500 (1986–1987, 1992–1994)
Cook Out 250 (2021)
Call 811 Before You Dig 250 powered by Call811.com (2022)
Call 811.com Before You Dig 250 (2023)
Most Wins Driver:Sam Ard
Jimmy Hensley (2)
Most Wins Team:Joe Gibbs Racing (3)
Most Wins Manufacturer:Buick
Pontiac (4)

The Dude Wipes 250 is a NASCAR Xfinity Series stock car racing spring event at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia, originally held from 1982 to 1994 as a standalone spring meeting, but starting in 2021 returns as part of a three-day tripleheader along with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Cup Series.

It was first held as a Late Model Sportsman and Modified doubleheader in 1970, and in 1982 the Late Model Sportsman feature changed to a touring format for the original 1982 Budweiser Late Model Sportsman season, and stayed as a touring race until 1994. Following the 1994 season, both of Martinsville's race, the Miller 500 and the Advance Auto 500, were converted to Late Model only races. The March Late Model race was discontinued at the end of the 1997 season.

In 2021, the Xfinity Series restored Martinsville's spring date as a night race in support of the Cup Series' Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 and aligned with the Modified Tour where the two series race over consecutive nights, instead of racing on one day. The race is one of two Xfinity events at the short track along with the Draft Top 250 in the fall.[2]

The race changed distances several times in its history. When first held in 1970, the Late Model Sportsman and Modified features were both 250 laps, covering 131.2miles. Following the addition of local Late Models and the conversion of the Modified race into part of the NASCAR's regional touring series in 1985, the two touring races were decreased to 200 laps, 105.2miles with a 100 lap, 52.6miles Late Model feature, where it remained until the Modifieds were removed for the 1993 season, when the distance was increased to 300 laps, 157.8miles for the touring Busch Grand National cars, and 200 laps, 105.2miles for the Late Model race. When the race format became strictly Late Model only, the qualifying races and Late Model feature (25 lap heat races and last chance race) totaled 300 laps. The race was discontinued after the 1997 season, and only the fall race was held for Late Models.

The race was never 500 laps, miles, or kilometers in distance at any point in its history. The "500" originated from Martinsville's two traditional combination Late Model and/or Modified races that resulted in a 500-lap format:

The 2021 Cup Weekend format returned to the 1970-84 format of 250 laps. The Whelen Modified Tour returned as the Thursday night feature, with the Xfinity race the Friday night feature. No practice or qualifying were held as part of post-pandemic restrictions, but they returned for the 2022 running.

YearDateDriverTeamManufacturerRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
LapsMiles (km)
1982March 28Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile250131.25 (211.226)67.244
1983March 20Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile250131.25 (211.226)2:05:4662.682
1984March 25Jack IngramJack Ingram RacingPontiac250131.5 (211.628)1:42:1677.751
1985April 6Brett BodineHendrick MotorsportsPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:43:0861.202
1986March 23Morgan ShepherdWhitaker RacingPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:30:4269.592
1987March 22Brad TeagueCharlie HendersonChevrolet200105.2 (169.302)1:36:3665.229
1988March 13Jimmy HensleySam ArdBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:29:5270.237
1989March 12Tommy EllisJ&J RacingBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:39:1263.629
1990March 11Tommy HoustonHouston RacingBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:38:1864.212
1991March 10Jimmy HensleyBeverly RacingOldsmobile200105.2 (169.302)1:32:0468.559
1992March 22Kenny WallaceRusty Wallace RacingPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:26:1273.225
1993May 8Ward BurtonA.G. Dillard MotorsportsBuick300157.8 (253.954)2:14:5970.142
1994March 20Terry LabonteLabonte MotorsportsChevrolet300157.8 (253.954)2:12:2571.511
1995

2020
Not held
2021April 9–11*Josh BerryJR MotorsportsChevrolet250131.5 (211.628)2:12:0259.758
2022April 8Brandon JonesJoe Gibbs RacingToyota261*137.286 (220.939)2:26:5056.099
2023April 15John Hunter NemechekJoe Gibbs RacingToyota250131.5 (211.628)2:12:5059.398
2024April 6Aric AlmirolaJoe Gibbs RacingToyota251*132.026 (212.474)2:07:4861.984

Summer race

Race Title:Goody's 250
Series Long:NASCAR Busch Series
Venue:Martinsville Speedway
Sponsor:Goody's Powder
First Race:2006
Last Race:2006
Distance:78.9miles
Laps:250

The Goody's 250 was the name given for the second-tier series' one-off return to the track in 2006, after an absence since 1994, held during the summer of that year. It had been planned the race would be held at night, under a temporary lighting system to be installed at the track, but it was held in the afternoon instead.[3] The event replaced the ITT Industries & Goulds Pumps Salute to the Troops 250 at Pikes Peak International Raceway on the Busch Series schedule. The race was replaced in 2007 by the NAPA Auto Parts 200 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve road course in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The race was the final start in NASCAR for Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Craven.

September race

Race Title:Zerex 150
Series Long:NASCAR Busch Series
Venue:Martinsville Speedway
Sponsor:Zerex Antifreeze
First Race:1982
Last Race:1990
Distance:78.9miles
Laps:150
Previous Names:Autumn 150 (1982–1983)
Nationwise 150 (1986–1987)
Advance Auto 150 (1988)
Zerex 150 (1989–1990)

The Zerex 150 was a NASCAR Busch Series stock car race held at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia. It was first held during the inaugural season for the Busch Series in 1982, as well as 1983. It was removed from the schedule in 1984, but returned in 1986. It was removed permanently following the 1990 season. It was a third Busch Series race at Martinsville in the seasons it was held, scheduled after the Miller 500 held early in the season, and about one month prior to the Advance Auto 500, the final race of the season. With a distance of 150 laps, 78.9miles, it was the shortest of Martinsville's three Busch races.

YearDateDriverTeamManufacturerRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Ref
LapsMiles (km)
1982September 25Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile15078.75 (126.735)0:59.2579.607[4]
1983September 24Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile15078.75 (126.735)1:18.5759.848[5]
1984

1985
Not held
1986September 21Tommy HoustonArndt RacingBuick15078.9 (126.977)1:06:3071.188[6]
1987September 26Rick MastA.G. Dillard MotorsportsPontiac15078.9 (126.977)1:10:1267.436[7]
1988September 24Harry GantWhitaker RacingBuick15078.9 (126.977)1:14:2963.558[8]
1989September 23Tommy HoustonArndt RacingBuick15078.9 (126.977)1:02:0976.171[9]
1990September 22Jeff BurtonSam ArdBuick15078.9 (126.977)1:11:2866.241[10]

Fall race

Race Title:Dead On Tools 250
Series Long:NASCAR Xfinity Series
Series Short:Xfinity Series
Venue:Martinsville Speedway
Sponsor:Dead On Tools[11]
First Race:1970 (Late Model)
First Series Race:1982
Distance:157.8miles
Laps:250
Stages 1/2: 60 each
Final stage: 130
Previous Names:Cardinal 500 Classic (1970–1984)
Winn-Dixie 500 (19851986)
Winston Classic (1987–1992)
Advance Auto Parts 500 (1993)
Advance Auto 500 (1994)
Draft Top 250 (2020)
Most Wins Driver:Harry Gant (2)
Most Wins Team:Whitaker Racing (2)
Thomas Brothers Racing (2)
Joe Gibbs Racing (2)
JR Motorsports (2)
Most Wins Manufacturer:Pontiac (5)

The Dead On Tools 250 is a NASCAR Xfinity Series stock car race held at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Originally a Late Model race when it began in 1970, it joined the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman touring series in 1982 (the original year), and remained a part of the series through 1994. Following the 1994 season, both of Martinsville's races, the Miller 500 and the Advance Auto 500, were switched to a late model-only race with the ValleyStar Credit Union 300. The Advance Auto 500 served as the final race of the season for the series for ten years, from 1982 through 1991. The track was given a date on the Xfinity Series schedule again starting in 2020, after a brief one-off return in 2006.

History

The race changed distances several times in its history. From its inception until 1984, the twin feature races was 250 laps for each division, covering 131.2miles. When both the Modified and Late Model Sportsman cars had both become touring format races, the local Late Model feature reduced the Modified and Busch features in 1985 to 200 laps, 105.2miles. After Modifieds were dropped in 1993 in light of early 1990s safety issues, the distance was increased to 300 laps, 157.8miles, while the Late Model race increased to 200 laps, when it changed in 1994 to 300 laps. When the 1st revival occurred the race was changed to 250 laps & now for the 2nd revival it will go remain to 250 laps.

As was the tradition at Martinsville, the two non-Cup race weekends featured two or three races that totaled 500 laps, a tradition still in place today by the now-Late Model only race, with qualifying races totaling 100 laps and a 200-lap feature.

The Xfinity Series returned to Martinsville in 2020 for a night race at the track in the fall as part of a triple-header with the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series. It was the second-to-last race of the season.[12] Draft Top was the title sponsor of the 250 lap race.[13] Dead On Tools will be the title sponsor of the race in 2021.[14]

YearDateDriverTeamManufacturerRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
Race
Results
LapsMiles (km)
1982October 31Butch LindleyEmanuel ZervakisPontiac250131.25 (211.226)2:08:1261.420Report
1983October 30Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile250131.25 (211.226)2:10:0360.669Report
1984October 28Morgan ShepherdLindy WhitePontiac250131.5 (211.628)2:10:2360.513Report
1985October 27Tommy EllisEric FreedlanderPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:26:0173.831Report
1986November 2Brett BodineThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile200105.2 (169.302)1:28:2971.335Report
1987November 1Jimmy HensleySam ArdBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:27:1072.413Report
1988October 30Harry GantWhitaker RacingBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:33:0865.083Report
1989October 29L.D. OttingerParker RacingPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:31:5668.658Report
1990October 28Steve GrissomGrissom Racing EnterprisesOldsmobile200105.2 (169.302)1:25:1674.026Report
1991October 27Harry GantWhitaker RacingBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:20:1678.637Report
1992October 18Bobby LabonteLabonte MotorsportsChevrolet200105.2 (169.302)1:32:5767.907Report
1993October 17Chuck BownHensley MotorsportsPontiac300157.8 (253.954)2:12:5971.197Report
1994October 16Kenny WallaceFILMAR RacingFord300157.8 (253.954)2:15:3969.797Report
1995

2019
Not held
2020October 31Harrison BurtonJoe Gibbs RacingToyota250131.5 (211.628)2:07:5661.673Report
2021October 30Noah GragsonJR MotorsportsChevrolet257*135.182 (217.553)2:10:4862.01Report
2022October 29Ty GibbsJoe Gibbs RacingToyota269*141.494 (227.711)2:20:3260.401Report
2023October 28Justin AllgaierJR MotorsportsChevrolet256*134.656 (216.707)2:26:0755.294Report
2024November 2Report

Multiple winners

Drivers

  1. Wins
DriverYears Won
5Sam ArdSpring: 1982, 1983
September: 1982, 1983
Fall: 1983
3Jimmy HensleySpring: 1988, 1991
Fall: 1987
Harry GantSeptember: 1988
Fall: 1988, 1991
Tommy HoustonSpring: 1990
September: 1986, 1989
3Brett BodineSpring: 1985
Fall: 1986
Morgan ShepherdSpring: 1986
Fall: 1984
Tommy EllisSpring: 1989
Fall: 1985
Kenny WallaceSpring: 1992
Fall: 1994

Teams

  1. Wins
TeamYears Won
6Thomas Brothers RacingSpring: 1982, 1983
September: 1982, 1983
Fall: 1983, 1986
5Joe Gibbs RacingSpring: 2022, 2023, 2024
Fall: 2020, 2022
4Whitaker RacingSpring: 1986
September: 1988
Fall: 1988, 1991
3Sam ArdSpring: 1988
September: 1990
Fall: 1987
JR MotorsportsSpring: 2021
Fall: 2021, 2023
2Arndt RacingSeptember: 1986, 1987
A.G. Dillard MotorsportsSpring: 1993
September: 1987
Labonte MotorsportsSpring: 1994
Fall: 1992

Manufacturer wins

  1. Wins
MakeYears Won
11 BuickSpring: 1988,-1990, 1993
September: 1986, 1988-1990
Fall: 1987, 1988, 1991
10 PontiacSpring: 1984-1986, 1992
September: 1987
Fall: 1982, 1984, 1985, 1989, 1993
8 OldsmobileSpring: 1982, 1983, 1991
September: 1982, 1983
Fall: 1983, 1986, 1990
7 ChevroletSpring: 1987, 1994, 2021
Summer: 2006
Fall: 1992, 2021, 2023
5 ToyotaSpring: 2022, 2023, 2024
Fall: 2020, 2022
1 FordFall: 1994

Notes and References

  1. News: Stage lengths for 2021 NASCAR season. NASCAR. January 25, 2021. January 31, 2021.
  2. News: Martinsville Speedway to Host 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Races on April 9, 2021 & Draft Top 250 on Oct. 30, 2021. Martinsville Speedway. October 30, 2020. January 31, 2021.
  3. Web site: Martinsville Busch race moved to afternoon. May 14, 2006. SceneDaily. https://web.archive.org/web/20060521074023/http://www.scenedaily.com/stories/2006/05/08/scene_daily66.html. May 21, 2006. dead. August 16, 2017.
  4. Web site: 1982 Autumn 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  5. Web site: 1983 Autumn 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  6. Web site: 1986 Nationwise 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  7. Web site: 1987 Nationwise 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  8. Web site: 1988 Advance Auto 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  9. Web site: 1989 Zerex 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  10. Web site: 1990 Zerex 150. Racing-Reference. November 15, 2021.
  11. Web site: Dead on Tools Returning to Sponsor Fall Xfinity Series Race at Martinsville. 31 January 2022.
  12. News: Martinsville Speedway lands tripleheader playoff weekend. AP. April 3, 2019. January 6, 2020.
  13. Martinsville Speedway & Draft Top Partner on Entitlement for Draft Top 250. Martinsville Speedway. October 13, 2020. October 13, 2020.
  14. Web site: Dead On Tools Teams Up with Martinsville Speedway to Sponsor Penultimate Xfinity Race . . NASCAR Digital Media, LLC . March 2, 2021.