Roar! 2019 Martinsville in March Preview

Martinsville Preview march 21, 2019

A CLASH OF THE CHAMPIONS

Will the beef between Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano that stemmed from last year’s Martinsville race spill over?

STP 500 i Surprise Contenders i Kyle Busch Tries for Three in a Row A Confident Jimmie Johnson I William Byron I Crew Member Profile

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nascar pole position I MARCH 2019 I Martinsville

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STORIES TO WATCH IN 2019 SERIES PREVIEWS: NASCAR XFINITY SERIES NASCAR GANDER OUTDOORS TRUCK SERIES

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Does NASCAR Have a Personality Problem?

T

his week Eric Estepp, host and creator of Out of the Groove, talks us through the controversial interview given by Tony Stewart over the weekend, specifically his comments about the state of NASCAR, and why it has a viewership problem.

But before that - does NASCAR have a ratings problem? Eric goes through the results form this week’s Auto Club TV ratings, and finds some surprising numbers. While the numbers aren’t concrete only five races in, there may be enough for some fans

to raise their spirits.

But the main thrust of the show is taking on Tony Stewart’s assessment of modern NASCAR drivers. He claims that they’re too young, haven’t paid their dues, etc., the same story we always hear from the old timers.

But was Tony right this time? Does he have a point? Eric breaks down his comments, and the facts about today’s drivers on the track, to bring us closer to an answer.

Watch and find out where he lands on Tony Stewart’s comments Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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5 things to watch

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things to watch at martinsville A Return to Fabled Martinsville

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ith the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series’ three-race “West Coast Swing” now in the rear-view mirror, NASCAR’s premier division heads to tiny .526-mile Martinsville Speedway for the first short-track race of the 2019 season. Here are five things to watch for when the green flag waves on Sunday’s STP 500 at the fabled racetrack in rural southern Virginia.

By Jared Turner

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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5 things to watch

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Glowing Red Brakes

ecause of its short length, narrow groove and super-flat corners, Martinsville Speedway is traditionally the hardest track of all on brakes — which tend to run hot and sometimes even a little too hot. The drivers who manage to stay in the hunt for 500 laps at Martinsville are typically those who have mastered the art of preserving their brakes for the final laps when it matters most. Sunday’s Monster Energy Series race at the paperclip-shaped oval should be no exception. “Brakes are always a severe issue there,” said former full-time driver turned FOX NASCAR pit reporter Regan Smith. “You really need to work on having your car rolling well so that you aren’t using too much brake as you get into the corner, which can cause bigger problems like blown tires and bead failures. There are a lot of things to keep in mind as we head into the weekend.”

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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5 things to watch

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A Comfortable And Confident Jimmie Johnson

ther than perhaps Dover, where he’s the sport’s all-time wins leader, there’s not a track on the NASCAR schedule where Jimmie Johnson has been more dominant or successful over the years than rugged, rural Martinsville Speedway, where he’s a ninetime race winner. In his first season with rookie Monster Energy Series crew chief Kevin Meendering, Johnson desperately needs something good to happen after starting off 2019 in underwhelming fashion. While Johnson actually struggled a bit in his last four trips to Martinsville with former longtime crew chief Chad Knaus, there’s still no track where the seven-time NASCAR premier series champion driver is more comfortable and confident. “I always look forward to racing at Martinsville,” said Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. “It suits our team’s style and it’s one of our favorite tracks — you feel like you have stepped back in time when you walk in there.”

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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Kyle Busch’s Quest For Three In A Row

yle Busch earned a landmark victory last weekend at Auto Club Speedway in California, winning for the 200th time in one of NASCAR’s top three series. Busch has also won the past two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races along with two of the past six Monster Energy Series races at Martinsville Speedway. All this makes the Joe Gibbs Racing driver an overwhelming favorite to continue on his current hot streak and go to Victory Lane this weekend. This much is certain: Busch has come to love racing at Martinsville, after struggling for many years to achieve any meaningful success at the Virginia short track. “We’ve run well the last several times at Martinsville, and we’re definitely pumped about getting back there,” said Busch, who has seven consecutive top fives at Martinsville. “I’m hoping we can have a really good car there again this time around like we did last time.”

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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5 things to watch

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A Logano/Truex Sequel

emember last fall at Martinsville when Joey Logano knocked Martin Truex Jr. out of the way in the final corner on the final lap? Logano took the victory, punched his ticket to the Championship 4, and made no apologies about the way he went about it. Truex, meanwhile, took issue with Logano’s aggression and all but guaranteed future retaliation on the Team Penske driver. Will that payback come this weekend at Martinsville, a track known for hot tempers, settling scores, and beating and banging galore? Rest assured Truex hasn’t forgotten about the way Logano raced him last fall, and rest assured Logano would do the same thing all over again if given half a chance. If Logano and Truex end up battling for the lead in the closing laps on Sunday afternoon, it’s going to be pretty interesting to see what goes down. It could be a finish for the ages.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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5 things to watch

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Surprise Contenders

f there’s one track on the schedule where aerodynamics has virtually no impact, it’s Martinsville Speedway — a mostly flat, .526-mile paperclip-shaped short track where speeds top out at around 120 miles per hour and dip as low as 70 mph in the corners. While the cars this weekend will continue to feature the baseline aero elements of the 2019 rules package (a taller rear spoiler, a larger front splitter and a wider radiator pan than the ones used in 2018), don’t expect aero to have any meaningful impact on the race. Instead, expect some drivers and teams who don’t typically run near the front to contend for strong finishes and make their presence felt. Because of Martinsville’s unpredictable nature and the cars’ lack of aerodynamic dependence there, it’s also a great place for someone to pick up his first career premier series win or his first win of the season.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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5 to watch at Martinsville

5

Drivers to Watch at Martinsville

by jared turner

Jimmie Johnson

▶▶ For many years, Kyle Busch struggled at Martinsville.

Not so anymore. Busch, who heads to the paperclipshaped oval riding the momentum of victories the past two weekends, has won two of the past six Martinsville races and recorded seven consecutive top-five finishes here. ▶▶ A five-time winner at Martinsville, Denny Hamlin most recently prevailed at the .526-mile short track in the spring of 2015. Considering that Hamlin has been solid pretty much everywhere so far in 2019, expect him to be a force this weekend in his home state.

Denny Hamlin

Race predictions Driver To Beat: Denny Hamlin Team To Beat: Joe Gibbs Racing Sleeper: William Byron

▶▶ Once dubbed “Mr. Martinsville” for his record of stellar achievements at the fabled facility, Jimmie Johnson has failed to record a top-10 finish in his last four trips to Martinsville. After a slow start to 2019, Johnson will be motivated to reverse that trend this weekend. ▶▶ Joey Logano knocked Martin Truex Jr. out of the way on the final lap last fall at Martinsville to score a controversial win and punch his ticket to the Championship 4. Logano, who went on to win the title, has been strong out of the gate in 2019 and shows no signs of letting up. ▶▶ Martin Truex Jr. was furious after getting booted in the final corner by Joey Logano the last time NASCAR’s premier series visited Martinsville. Inspiration will no doubt be in high supply this weekend for Truex, who surely hasn’t forgotten his run-in with the eventual 2018 champ.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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Tony Stewart drove the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet to victory in the 2011 AAA Texas 500.

On A Mission to Succeed Stewart Wins Texas and 2011 Championship

BY BEN WHITE

O

n Nov. 7, 2011, Tony Stewart, driver of his own Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet, scored a victory at Texas Motor Speedway before collecting his third-career NASCAR Cup series championship.

The Columbus, Ind. native sealed the deal in the AAA Texas 500 by leading 173 of the race’s 334 laps. He held off championship challenger Carl Edwards, driver of the Roush Fenway Racing Ford,

after taking the lead for the final time when Jeff Burton ran out of fuel in his RCR Enterprises Chevrolet with five laps remaining. It was Stewart’s second win in as many weeks, having collected the victory the week before at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Edwards entered the race eight points ahead of Stewart in the point standings but left only two points ahead.

As Stewart crossed under the checkered flag 1.092 seconds

ahead of Edwards, he recorded the fastest Cup race ever held at the Fort Worth track.

“We’re set on it, man. This is just the way it’s going to be,” Stewart said in victory lane, according to an Associated Press article that day. ”I don’t think we have to say anything (else). I think our performance today speaks for itself. He knows already, trust me.”

Stewart won the final race of the season at HomesteadMiami Speedway and tied Edwards in points. Stewart’s five wins to Edwards’ single victory served as tiebreaker.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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36 Under 30: William Byron Polesitter William Byron (24) leads the field to the green flag in this year’s Daytona 500. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

36 Under 30

William Byron

By Keith Waltz

A

s William Byron celebrated his 15th birthday on Nov. 29, 2012, the online racer was just getting acclimated to the newest addition to the family garage – a Legend Car. Today, at age 21, Byron is in his sophomore season as the driver of the iconic No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, and the native of Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of NASCAR racing’s brightest young stars.

After attending his first NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway, Byron became a regular on iRacing and began studying the sport.

During the summer of 2012, Byron and his father, Bill, did their research and learned about Legend Car racing. A few months later they

purchased a car and the journey began.

Here are just a few of the accomplishments that followed: 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion; 2016 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year with seven wins and 11 top-five finishes; 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion with four wins and 12 top-five results; and 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Sunoco Rookie of the Year on the strength of four top-10 finishes. “iRacing was the platform where I was able to start racing and understand the cars and understand all the driving aspects,” Byron explained. “So for me, I think it’s kind of crazy that everything started on a video game.”

William Byron and Rick Hendrick with the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship trophy. (Photo

by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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driver profile: Brennan Poole

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A Roller-Coaster Ride Brennan Poole thrilled to be back racing

By Joseph Wolkin Since B rennan Poole s tar ted racing in N A SC A R, his career has been an ac tual roller coas ter. He’s bounced around from teams large and small . Now, he’s back to full - time racing, competing for O n Point Motorspor t s in t he Gander O utdoors Truck S eries. I t’s time to compete for wins.

Brennan Poole is racing for On Point Motorsports in the Gander Outdoors Truck Series.

With more than 25 different helmet designs to choose from.

What’s it like to be back in NASCAR full-time?

“I’m really enjoying driving in the Truck Series, especially with the On Point Motorsports guys. It’s been difference because I’m with a new team and we’re still developing. We’re building new trucks, trying to improve and find more speed.

It’s been super busy, which I’m happy about.”

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What is the key to this team’s success this year?

“Through the first couple of races, it’s hard to tell because we’re still getting used to each other. I’m learning the truck still, and my crew chief [and owner Steven Lane] is here after being in Cup and XFINITY for so long. There’s a lot of things we’re learning together. We have speed to qualify up front and race with them. We’re capable of battling for a top five and maybe even a win at some places.”

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

3_NASCAR Pole Position_(4C_1/3pgV).indd 1

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Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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2019 NASCAR SERIES nascar series STANDINGS standings 2019 NASCAR SERIES STANDINGS MONSTERMONSTER ENERGY ENERGY NASCARNASCAR NASCARNASCAR CUP SERIES XFINITY XFINITY SERIES SERIES CUP SERIES NO. DRIVER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

PTS.

WINS

KYLE BUSCH 237 2 1 KYLE BUSCH JOEY LOGANO 222 1 2 JOEY LOGANO DENNY HAMLIN 205 1 3 DENNY HAMLIN BRAD KESELOWSKI 176 1 4 BRAD KESELOWSKI KEVIN HARVICK 213 0 5 KEVIN HARVICK ARIC ALMIROLA 174 0 6 ARIC ALMIROLA MARTIN TRUEX JR. TRUEX 169 JR. 0 7 MARTIN KYLE LARSON 163 0 8 KYLE LARSON KURT BUSCH 160 0 9 KURT BUSCH RYAN BLANEY 155 0 10 RYAN BLANEY RICKY STENHOUSE 146 0 JR. 11 RICKYJR. STENHOUSE CHASE ELLIOTT 135 0 12 CHASE ELLIOTT ERIK JONES 133 0 13 ERIK JONES JIMMIE JOHNSON 121 0 14 JIMMIE JOHNSON CLINT BOWYER 119 0 15 CLINT BOWYER ALEX BOWMAN 110 0 16 ALEX BOWMAN RYAN NEWMAN 107 0 17 RYAN NEWMAN DANIEL SUAREZ 105 0 18 DANIEL SUAREZ WILLIAM BYRON 19 WILLIAM 104 BYRON0 AUSTIN DILLON 103 0 20 AUSTIN DILLON PAUL MENARD 98 0 21 PAUL MENARD CHRIS BUESCHER 94 0 22 CHRIS BUESCHER TY DILLON23 TY DILLON 84 0 MATT DIBENEDETTO 76 0 24 MATT DIBENEDETTO RYAN PREECE 61 0 25 RYAN PREECE DAVID RAGAN 61 0 26 DAVID RAGAN DANIEL HEMRIC 58 0 27 DANIEL HEMRIC MICHAEL MCDOWELL 0 28 MICHAEL54 MCDOWELL COREY LAJOIE 54 0 29 COREY LAJOIE BUBBA WALLACE 49 0 30 BUBBA WALLACE MATT TIFFT 41 0 31 MATT TIFFT LANDON CASSILL 0 32 LANDON 33 CASSILL JAMIE MCMURRAY 19 0 33 JAMIE MCMURRAY CODY WARE 17 0 34 CODY WARE QUIN HOUFF 7 0 35 QUIN HOUFF REED SORENSON 4 0 36 REED SORENSON CASEY MEARS 1 0 37 CASEY MEARS

BLUE AREAS

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NO. DRIVER

NO. DRIVER PTS. WINS

237 1 222 2 205 3 176 4 213 5 174 6 169 7 163 8 160 9 155 10 146 11 135 12 133 13 121 14 119 15 110 16 107 17 105 18 104 19 103 20 98 21 94 22 84 23 76 24 61 25 61 26 58 27 54 28 54 29 49 30 41 31 33 32 19 33 17 34 7 35 4 36 1 37 38 39 40 41 42

NO. DRIVER

PTS.

WINS

213 1 2COLE CUSTER 1 COLE CUSTER BELL 206 BELL 1 1CHRISTOPHER 2 CHRISTOPHER 1 1MICHAEL ANNETT 3 MICHAEL178 ANNETT 220 0 1TYLER REDDICK 4 TYLER REDDICK 183 0 0BRANDON5JONES BRANDON JONES 179 0 0AUSTIN CINDRIC 6 AUSTIN CINDRIC 171 0 0JUSTIN ALLGAIER 7 JUSTIN ALLGAIER 161 0 0NOAH GRAGSON 8 NOAH GRAGSON 153 0 0RYAN SIEG9 RYAN SIEG 149 0 0JOHN H. NEMECHEK 10 JOHN H. NEMECHEK 145 0 0CHASE BRISCOE 11 CHASE BRISCOE 143 0 0JUSTIN HALEY 12 JUSTIN HALEY 135 0 0ROSS CHASTAIN 13 ROSS CHASTAIN BROWN 107 0 0BRANDON14 BRANDON BROWN 91 0 0GRAY GAULDING 15 GRAY GAULDING 89 0 0JEREMY CLEMENTS 16 JEREMY CLEMENTS 86 JR. 0 0RAY BLACK 17JR. RAY BLACK SMITHLEY 0 0GARRETT 18 GARRETT85 SMITHLEY 71 0 0DAVID STARR 19 DAVID STARR 69 0 0B.J. MCLEOD 20 B.J. MCLEOD 64 0 0JOSH WILLIAMS 21 JOSH WILLIAMS 54 0 0VINNIE MILLER 22 VINNIE MILLER 53 0 0JOEY GASE 23 JOEY GASE 49 0 0MATT MILLS 24 MATT MILLS LEICHT 0STEPHEN 25 STEPHEN44 LEICHT0 41 0 0JEFF GREEN 26 JEFF GREEN 37 0 0JOSH BILICKI 27 JOSH BILICKI 36 0 0MIKE HARMON 28 MIKE HARMON 0 0JEFFREY EARNHARDT 29 JEFFREY 76 EARNHARDT 50 0 0CHAD FINCHUM 30 CHAD FINCHUM 44 0 0TIMMY HILL 31 TIMMY HILL 40 0 0RYAN TRUEX 32 RYAN TRUEX 25 MARTINS 0 0TOMMY JOE 33 MARTINS TOMMY JOE 18 0 0ALEX LABBE 34 ALEX LABBE JR. LAGASSE 16 0JR. 0SCOTT LAGASSE 35 SCOTT 0 0MORGAN SHEPHERD 36 MORGAN15 SHEPHERD 13 0 0ZANE SMITH 37 ZANE SMITH JOHN JACKSON 13 0 38 JOHN JACKSON JAIRO AVILA 12 JR.0 39 JR. JAIRO AVILA MAX TULLMAN 9 0 40 MAX TULLMAN CAESAR BACARELLA 9 0 41 CAESAR BACARELLA CHRIS COCKRUM 6 0 42 CHRIS COCKRUM

NASCARNASCAR GANDER GANDER OUTDOORS TRUCK SERIES OUTDOORS TRUCK SERI

NO. DRIVER PTS. WINS

213 1 206 2 178 3 220 4 183 5 179 6 171 7 161 8 153 9 149 10 145 11 143 12 135 13 107 14 91 15 89 16 86 17 85 18 71 19 69 20 64 21 54 22 53 23 49 24 44 25 41 26 37 27 36 28 76 29 50 30 44 31 40 32 25 33 18 34 16 35 15 36 13 37 13 38 12 39 9 40 9 6 42

NO. DRIVER

PTS.

WINS

108 1 1AUSTIN HILL 1 AUSTIN HILL 117 0 1GRANT ENFINGER 2 GRANT ENFINGER 111BURTON 0 1HARRISON3 BURTON HARRISON 0 0STEWART 4FRIESEN STEWART103 FRIESEN 102 0 0BRETT MOFFITT 5 BRETT MOFFITT 102 0 0JOHNNY SAUTER 6 JOHNNY SAUTER 96 0 0MATT CRAFTON 7 MATT CRAFTON 96 0 0TODD GILLILAND 8 TODD GILLILAND 0SHELDON9CREED SHELDON91CREED0 89 0 0BEN RHODES 10 BEN RHODES 0 0TIMOTHY PETERS 11 TIMOTHY84 PETERS 66 0 0AUSTIN SELF 12 AUSTIN SELF BOYD 0SPENCER 13 SPENCER59 BOYD 0 59 0 0GUS DEAN14 GUS DEAN POOLE 0BRENNAN15 BRENNAN56POOLE0 54 0 0TYLER DIPPEL 16 TYLER DIPPEL 52 0 0JOSH REAUME 17 JOSH REAUME 51 0 0CORY ROPER 18 CORY ROPER 46 0 0JORDAN ANDERSON 19 JORDAN ANDERSON 42 0 0NATALIE DECKER 20 NATALIE DECKER 50 0 0ANGELA RUCH 21 ANGELA RUCH 39 0 0KORBIN FORRISTER 22 KORBIN FORRISTER ALFREDO 0 0ANTHONY23 ANTHONY39ALFREDO 32 0 0JESSE LITTLE 24 JESSE LITTLE 31 0 0RYAN REED 25 RYAN REED 31 0 0DAVID GILLILAND 26 DAVID GILLILAND 29 0 0CLAY GREENFIELD 27 CLAY GREENFIELD 26 0 0BOBBY GERHART 28 BOBBY GERHART 26 0 0JOE NEMECHEK 29 JOE NEMECHEK COBB 0JENNIFER30 JENNIFER25COBB 0 23 0 0MYATT SNIDER 31 MYATT SNIDER 23 ECKES 0 0CHRISTIAN 32ECKES CHRISTIAN 20 0 0RAY CICCARELLI 33 RAY CICCARELLI 17 0 0PARKER KLIGERMAN 34 PARKER KLIGERMAN 17 0 0NORM BENNING 35 NORM BENNING 11 0 0JESSE IWUJI 36 JESSE IWUJI 10 0 0CHRIS FONTAINE 37 CHRIS FONTAINE 9 0 0CHAD FINLEY 38 CHAD FINLEY 7 0 0ROBBY LYONS 39 ROBBY LYONS 6 0 0BRYAN DAUZAT 40 BRYAN DAUZAT 6 0 0STEFAN PARSONS STEFAN PARSONS 5 0 0SCOTT STENZEL 42 SCOTT STENZEL

HIGHLIGHT PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS IN EACH NASCAR BLUE AREAS HIGHLIGHT PLAYOFF QUALIFIERS INSERIES EACH NASCAR SERIES

AUTO CLUB REARVIEW: MARCH 18, 2019 Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019 AUTO CLUB REARVIEW: MARCH 18, 2019 0 2 2

0 2 6

PTS.

108 117 111 103 102 102 96 96 91 89 84 66 59 59 56 54 52 51 46 42 50 39 39 32 31 31 29 26 26 25 23 23 20 17 17 11 10 9 7 6 6 5

W

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

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crew member spotlight: Donna Gall

Donna Gall, StarCom Racing hospitality coordinator

Organized and On Her Game Gall Keeps StarCom Racing on Track

BY BEN WHITE

D

onna Gall, hospitality coordinator and administrative assistant for StarCom Racing, doesn’t turn wrenches, measure tires or calculate race strategy. Still, she is one of the most important members of the Salisbury, N.C., based Cup team.

She discovered NASCAR in 2009 when she and husband David Gall were given hot passes through a friend that worked for Sunoco for an Xfinity race at the Milwaukee Mile.

While there, the couple met Derrike Cope, then owner and driver for his own team, and immediately struck up a friendship. In 2015, the Galls offered to pay for their travel

expenses in exchange for their services.

Cope agreed, adding them to his small but promising operation.

Now employees of StarCom, David works in various roles that includes cooking and driving the team’s motorhome, Donna’s role behind the scenes is vital for taking care of the team and guests while at the track. That includes credentials for team guests, team licensing, hotels, car rental and air flight arrangements, itineraries, schedules and confirmations for the crew while coordinating team hospitality.

“I have a lot of responsibilities,” Donna said. “The challenge is time when you are one person doing several jobs. It’s about managing it. Even though I may be at the shop from 8 to 4:30, I’m usually on the computer until 10 or 11 at home working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We are on the road Thursday through Sunday.

“I just love being here. This is a place where I go and do something I love to do and actually get a little bit of pay for it. It’s a great industry.

I’ve met a lot great people and made a lot of friends. I started out as a fan and this is the dream job. I don’t know of any other place I could go and say, ‘I love my job. It can be frustrating but it’s also very rewarding and a lot of fun. I’m very thankful to be where I am.”

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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crew member spotlight: DONNA GALL “We feel we are family with Derrike and Elyshia Cope,” Gall said. “When we met Derrike, he invited us on his hauler, let my husband try on his 1990 Daytona 500 winner’s ring and treated us like we had known him forever and we had just met him.”

EXTRA LAPS WITH DONNA GALL Married: David, (28 years) Children: Justin (26) Josh (25) HOMETOWN: Antioch, Ill. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Ireland FAVORITE HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving FAVORITE SEASON: Summer FAVORITE TV SHOW: Criminal Minds FAVORITE MOVIE: Something about Mary FAVORITE MUSIC: Classic Rock

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Spotlight

Jeffrey Earnhardt’s Golden Opportunity

BY Jared Turner

W ith primar y sponsorship from Xtreme Concept s, Jef frey Earnhardt is embarking on a nine - race N A SC A R Xf init y Series schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing. Here’s what the four th generation driver had to say.

How excited are you about 2019?

It’s huge, obviously. This is an opportunity every driver dreams of – getting to run in the best of the best equipment out there. To be involved with a team that, No. 1, is so good, and, No. 2, is coming off such a successful season last year with Christopher Bell, is really, really exciting and a dream come true.

Do you feel like this is the big break you’ve been waiting for?

Yeah, for sure. It’s put up or shut up time. This whole time you’ve been wanting to get in good equipment to go prove that you can drive and run up front and be successful in the sport, and now I’m being given that opportunity.

What would you consider a successful season?

Go win all nine. That would be a successful season. The thing is; the equipment’s there.

But it is racing and at the end of the day, everything’s got to go your way. I think the biggest thing is going to be me just trying to do my part as the driver, because they’ve got quite the stacked crew at Gibbs to make sure the rest is all taken care of.

What’s your relationship like with Xtreme Concepts?

It all started this past year. Landon Ash, the owner of Xtreme Concepts, is a big-hearted guy and a guy that I now consider a really close friend who just really wanted to see me get an opportunity to be in successful equipment and get a chance at this deal. That said a lot to me about the kind of person he is, and he’s also done so much in our military community. Their company trains a lot of military dogs, police dogs, TSA dogs and bomb-detection dogs.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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Spotlight They do a lot there and also on the training side with special ops guys. Landon is a huge supporter of our military and our country, and that’s something I’m really big on, too, so we jell together pretty good and we like to have fun on the side and just enjoy our time. It’s been a great partnership, and they’re giving me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I will be forever thankful for.

How do you spend your downtime?

When I’m not racing, you tend to find me out

Landon Ash, CEO of Xtreme Concepts

What were your first impressions of Jeffrey?

Jeffrey is as genuine as it gets. The person you see on TV and on social media is the same guy that you would see if you were hanging out with him at his house or in the duck blind. He loves a day with his dog in the boat or in the field just as much as he is invested in his work and his fans that come with it.

After seeing his devotion to the veteran community and the gold star families, the

in the woods somewhere doing something outdoors. I grew up as a big outdoorsman, and I try to hunt as much as I can. I get enjoyment out of knowing I’m eating something that I went out and harvested myself instead of something you bought in the grocery store that you’re not really sure where it came from.

I spend a lot of time outdoors, whether I’m hunting, riding four-wheelers, hanging out with buddies, whatever it may be.

impression that he made stuck with me.

What are some ways Jeffrey can build the Xtreme Concepts brand and help you reach a larger audience?

Jeffrey is a fourthgeneration Earnhardt and the pedigree that comes with that name holds a lot of weight with the sport and the fans. We want to highlight our foundation – First Foundation – that gives back and supports our military and first responders, those on scene first, foreign or domestic.

It is striking that those

groups of people that put themselves in harm’s way to protect American values and freedom are not getting the proper support. They are not appreciated enough for what they do, and their heroic actions are taken for granted, and that in itself is a national tragedy.

What do you hope Jeffrey accomplishes this season?

I expect big things in 2019.

The sport will be celebrating another Earnhardt in Victory Lane. I expect for Jeffrey to be able to show the world what he is capable of and be competitive week in and week out.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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spotlight

TM

Dr. Jason Cormier has helped MSG provide a comprehensive, grassroots marketing campaign focused on preventative health care education and wellness training.

MSG: Making Racing Safer

By Dan Guttenplan

A

cknowledged as one of the country’s leading neurosurgeons, Dr. Jason Cormier has helped MSG provide a comprehensive, grassroots marketing campaign focused on preventative health care education and wellness training.

With an emphasis to educate and engage race fans in their growing role as health care consumers, the objective is to influence behavioral changes, to provide racing’s brand-loyal audience with the medical knowledge to make informed, preventative decisions that directly affect the wellness of their families.

One health issue that affects NASCAR racecar drivers and fans alike is neck and back pain.

Cormier shared some preventative measures one can take to help avoid lower back pain.

“Outside of the red flags – like a fever, weight loss that is not explained by a change in diet, suspicion of cancers, long-term steroid use, or a weak immune system – we can look at simple things to prevent lower back pain,” Cormier said. “We’ll take a look at improving the diet, weight loss, smoking habits and exercise.”

A patient can also strengthen his or her core to help prevent lower back pain. Improving one’s range of motion and maintaining an active lifestyle are also helpful preventative measures.

In the event that a patient is already affected by lower back pain, Cormier recommends he or she take an anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol – if the patient has been cleared by a doctor. Avoiding carrying large bags, briefcases and purses can also limit the stress on a person’s back.

“Watch your posture,” Cormier said. “Make sure you’re not overloading your back. Consider switching to a briefcase or bag on wheels.”

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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spotlight One of the most common causes of upper back and neck pain in this day and age is poor posture when sending text messages and looking down at smart phones. Writing for extended periods of time without stretching your neck is another common cause.

“It’s the result of constantly looking down at a computer or phone,” Cormier said. “It’s important to think about posture.”

Neck trauma is a more serious issue that can be managed non-surgically with traction therapy, physical therapy or an interventional procedure, depending on the results of one’s

MRI. Racecar drivers also are at risk of suffering compression fractures. Austin Therriault and Aric Almirola have both suffered those types of injuries in the recent past.

“When you’re driving at high speeds, the spine absorbs the ‘G’ forces of the wreck, which predisposes one to the possibility of spinal fractures,” Cormier said. “Protect your body by consistently exercising for a few minutes three to four times weekly, and maintain a healthy life style, and your body will be significantly optimized to endure the physical challenges ahead.”

Introducing Brain Armor

A

new product that excites Cormier in terms of improving brain function is the Brain Armor nutritional supplement.

The product is the work of Dr. Julian Bailes, a recognized leader in the field of neurosurgery and the impact of brain injury on brain function.

The supplement includes Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which help the human brain possess the ability to grow new nerve cells, or neurons.

Cormier said that patients tested after 30 days of ingesting Omega-3 Fatty

Acids were less likely to incur brain-related injuries.

Also, patients that suffered brain-related injuries were more likely to recover after 30 days of ingesting Omega-3 Fatty Acids.

“That component of the nervous system is huge,” Cormier said. “We found that people who are rich

in DHA and EPA levels are more protected with regard to brain function.

That drew me in. If we pursue that in racecar drivers, we can protect them with a supplement like Brain Armor that includes fish oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.”

Fish oils are also available for purchase over the counter. Cormier said the only downside of ingesting fish oil is that of its blood thinning properties.

“Other than that, we haven’t seen any downside,” Cormier said.

Find out more about Brain Armor at brain-armor.com.

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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“Everyone jokes around and sends me pictures with a bunch of puppies running into a house and stuff like that,” he said. “I feel like that’s what I have right now with these three.

They’re definitely a handful, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

While Nemechek is still relatively new to life with three dogs, his passion for pets is nothing new.

“I’ve always had a love for animals,” said the son of longtime NASCAR Cup Series driver Joe Nemechek. “We used to own a horse farm.

So I was around horses, but my passion has always been for dogs. They’re a man’s best friend. Being able to walk in the door to them, hang out with them and hug them and play with them, it’s a lot of fun.”

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Spotlight

SureCan: A New Way to Dispense Fuel

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ho likes spilling gasoline when you’re simply trying to fuel up your lawnmower? Thanks to a revolutionary, highly sophisticated but easyto-use product appropriately dubbed the “SureCan,” pouring gas doesn’t have to be so frustrating anymore. In fact, the SureCan makes pouring a downright enjoyable experience.

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Ouderkirk owned a cabinet shop where he built custom cabinets when he first conceived the SureCan concept about 10 years ago.

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goes where it’s supposed to go,” Ouderkirk said. “It’s also greener so you’re not spilling all over the ground and getting all the emissions into the environment. And, it’s the easiest gas can to use.

“The can is 100-percent made in the USA and it will always be that. We’re going to always keep it here. That’s important to us.

I think we’re on our way to changing how people dispense fuel into their machines.”

judges around the world voted on new innovative products.

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One of the most innovative features of the SureCan – which is available in both 2.2- and 5-gallon sizes – is its thickness. Ouderkirk recalls conducting an

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One thing you’ll notice right away is that if the can is in your shed or garage, you’ll never smell gasoline, because the vapors are locked in so tight. It does its job. It locks the vapors in and keeps the emissions from escaping into the atmosphere.”

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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2019 schedule & results

monster energy nascar cup series date

track

winner

Sunday, Feb. 17

Daytona International Speedway

Denny hamlin

Sunday, Feb. 24

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Brad Keselowski

Sunday, March 3

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Joey Logano

Sunday, March 10

ISM Raceway (Avondale, Ariz.) Kyle Busch

Sunday, March 17

Auto Club Speedway Kyle Busch

Sunday, March 24

Martinsville Speedway

Sunday, March 31

Texas Motor Speedway

Sunday, April 7

Bristol Motor Speedway

Saturday, April 13

Richmond Raceway

Sunday, April 28

Talladega Superspeedway

Sunday, May 5

Dover International Speedway

Saturday, May 11

Kansas Speedway

Saturday, May 18*

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Sunday, May 26

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Sunday, June 2

Pocono Raceway

Sunday, June 9

Michigan International Speedway

Sunday, June 23

Sonoma Raceway

Sunday, June 30

Chicagoland Speedway

Saturday, July 6

Daytona International Speedway

Saturday, July 13

Kentucky Speedway

Sunday, July 21

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Sunday, July 28

Pocono Raceway

Sunday, Aug. 4

Watkins Glen International

Sunday, Aug. 11

Michigan International Speedway

Saturday, Aug. 17

Bristol Motor Speedway

Sunday, Sept. 1

Darlington Raceway

Sunday, Sept. 8

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Sunday, Sept. 15

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Saturday, Sept. 21

Richmond Raceway

Sunday, Sept. 29

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Sunday, Oct. 6

Dover International Speedway

Sunday, Oct. 13

Talladega Superspeedway

Sunday, Oct. 20

Kansas Speedway

Sunday, Oct. 27

Martinsville Speedway

Sunday, Nov. 3

Texas Motor Speedway

Sunday, Nov. 10

ISM Raceway

Sunday, Nov. 17

Homestead-Miami Speedway

*All-star race

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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2019 schedule & results

xfinity series date

track

Saturday, Feb. 16

Daytona International Speedway Michael Annett

Saturday, Feb. 23

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Saturday, March 2

Las Vegas Motor Speedway Kyle Busch

Saturday, March 9

ISM Raceway (Avondale, Ariz.) Kyle Busch

Saturday, March 16 Auto Club Speedway

winner

Christopher Bell

Cole custer

Saturday, March 30 Texas Motor Speedway Saturday, April 6

Bristol Motor Speedway

Friday, April 12

Richmond Raceway

Saturday, April 27

Talladega Superspeedway

Saturday, May 4

Dover International Speedway

Saturday, May 25

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Saturday, June 1

Pocono Raceway

Saturday, June 8

Michigan International Speedway

Sunday, June 16

Iowa Speedway

Saturday, June 29

Chicagoland Speedway

Friday, July 5

Daytona International Speedway

Friday, July 12

Kentucky Speedway

Saturday, July 20

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Saturday, July 27

Iowa Raceway

Saturday, Aug. 3

Watkins Glen International

Saturday, Aug. 10

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Friday, Aug. 16

Bristol Motor Speedway

Saturday, Aug. 24

Road America

Saturday, Aug. 31

Darlington Raceway

Saturday, Sept. 7

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Saturday, Sept. 14

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Friday, Sept. 20

Richmond Raceway

Saturday, Sept. 28

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Saturday, Oct. 5

Dover International Speedway

Saturday, Oct. 19

Kansas Speedway

Saturday, Nov. 2

Texas Motor Speedway

Saturday, Nov. 9

ISM Raceway

Saturday, Nov. 16

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Martinsville Preview: March 21, 2019

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2019 schedule & results

Gander Outdoors Truck Series date

Friday, Feb. 15 Saturday, Feb. 23 Friday, March 1 Saturday, March 23 Friday, March 29 Friday, May 3 Friday, May 10 Friday, May 17 Friday, June 7 Saturday, June 15 Saturday, June 22 Friday, June 28 Thursday, July 11 Saturday, July 27 Thursday, Aug. 1 Saturday, Aug. 10 Thursday, Aug. 15 Sunday, Aug. 25 Friday, Sept. 13 Saturday, Oct. 12 Saturday, Oct. 26 Friday, Nov. 8 Friday, Nov. 15

track

Daytona International Speedway Atlanta Motor Speedway Las Vegas Motor Speedway Martinsville Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Kansas Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Texas Motor Speedway Iowa Speedway Gateway Motorsports Park Chicagoland Speedway Kentucky Speedway Pocono Raceway Eldora Speedway Michigan International Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Las Vegas Motor Speedway Talladega Superspeedway Martinsville Speedway ISM Raceway Homestead-Miami Speedway

winner

Austin Hill Kyle Busch Kyle Busch

Leonards 1014 S Boston Road Danville, VA 24540

2019 schedule & results

K&N Pro Series East Date 2/10/19 4/6/19 5/4/19 5/4/19 6/1/19 6/15/19 7/20/19 7/26/19 8/2/19 8/15/19 8/24/19 9/21/19 10/4/19

Track New Smyrna Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway South Boston Speedway South Boston Speedway Memphis Int’l. Raceway Thompson Speedway N.H. Motor Speedway Iowa Speedway Watkins Glen Int’l.

Bristol Motor Speedway Gateway Mtrsprts. Park N.H. Motor Speedway Dover Int’l. Speedway

winner derek kraus

K&N Pro Series West Date 2/28/19 3/30/19 5/11/19 6/8/19 6/22/19 6/29/19 7/26/19 8/17/19 8/24/19 9/28/19 10/12/19 10/26/19 11/9/19

Track Las Vegas Motor Speedway Irwindale Speedway Tucson Speedway Colorado Nat’l. Speedway Sonoma Raceway Douglas County Speedway Iowa Speedway Evergreen Speedway Gateway Mtrsprts. Park Meridian Speedway All American Speedway Kern County Raceway Park ISM Raceway

winner hallie deegan

Whelen Modified Tour Date 3/16/19 3/30/19 4/7/19 4/28/19 5/18/19 6/1/19 6/5/19 7/6/19 7/19/19 7/20/19 8/2/19 8/14/19 8/31/19 9/7/19 9/21/19 9/29/19 10/13/19

Track Myrtle Beach Speedway South Boston Speedway Thompson Speedway Stafford Motor Speedway Wall Stadium Speedway Seekonk Speedway Thompson Speedway Riverhead Raceway N.H. Motor Speedway N.H. Motor Speedway Stafford Motor Speedway Thompson Speedway Oswego Speedway Riverhead Raceway N.H. Motor Speedway Stafford Motor Speedway Thompson Speedway

winner doug coby

Pinty’s Date 5/19/19 6/1/19 6/29/19 7/13/19 7/24/19 7/24/19 7/27/19 8/11/19 8/17/19 8/25/19 9/7/19 9/21/19 9/28/19

Track winner Canadian Tire Mtrspt. Park Jukasa Motor Speedway Autodrome Chaudiere Exhibition Place Wyant Group Rwy. Twin 125s Wyant Group Rwy. Twin 125s Edmonton Int’l. Raceway Circuit Trois-Rivieres Riverside Int’l. Speedway Canadian Tire Mtrsprt. Park Autodrome St-Eustache N.H. Motor Speedway Jukasa Motor Speedway

Whelen Euro Date 4/12/19 5/10/19 9/20/19 10/3/19

Track Valencia, Spain Franciacorta, Italy Hockenheim, Germany Zolder, Belgium

winner

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