For the second straight year, the format for the Valley Star Credit Union 300 feature race has been tweaked.

Last season, Martinsville Speedway did away with the race’s traditional 10 to go caution.  Instead of having a caution at the halfway break and again with 10 laps to go, the lone competition caution would come out on lap 150.  However, a competition caution was needed at lap 100 when the race played out so teams could get fuel.

This season, Martinsville Speedway has brought back the three segment format for the biggest race in Late Model Stock Car racing – a halfway break at or around lap 100 so teams can get fuel and another competition caution on lap 175.  Teams will be able to change tires at the lap 175 caution, setting up a 25 lap shootout to the finish.

As has been in the case in the past, there will be an inversion at the halfway break.  The inversion is done by a random draw.

The format that sets the field remains the same, with the top two qualifiers from Saturday’s qualifying session being locked in and the rest of the field being determined in heat races.  Three heat races will be held on Sunday afternoon with the top 10 finishes in each advancing to the main event.  10 more drivers will advance through the last chance qualifier, rounding out the 42 car field.

The changes to the race format will be formally announced by Martinsville Speedway tomorrow by track president Clay Campbell.

The race will pay $25,000 to the winner and, as is tradition at Martinsville Speedway, the winner will take home a Ridgeway Clocks grandfather clock.

Practice and qualifying for the Valley Star Credit Union 300 will be held on Saturday, October 15^th.  Heat races and the feature race will be held on Sunday, October 16^th.  Martinsville Speedway will also hold an open test day on Thursday, October 6^th.