The date has been set for NASCAR’s biggest, richest, and most prestigious Late Model Stock Car race. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2016.
The race, which regularly sees more than 80 Late Model Stock Car teams from throughout the southeast enter, is one of the most anticipated races of the year.
“We’re excited to have the date set for the 2016 ValleyStar Credit Union 300,” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said. “Every year this is one of the highlights of not just the Late Model season, but in all of racing and we’re excited to be able to host it once again.”
Last year, Tommy Lemons Jr. won the race for the second time in his career. He held off a furious challenge from Timothy Peters on the last lap, which continued what’s become a tradition of thrilling finishes.
“There’s no other race that any Late Model driver wants to win more,” Lemons said. “We’re at the big track for us Late Model guys. It’s where the Sprint Cup Series runs.
“Then, there’s just the history behind it. So many great drivers have run there over the years. Everybody wants to be at Martinsville.”
The race, which dates back to 1985, has featured drivers such as Bobby Labonte, Elliott Sadler, Mark Martin and 2016 Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
