RIDGEWAY, VA :: The Martinsville DuPont Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway features one of the most unorthodox and controversial rules in all of short track racing. The prestigious Late Model Stock race mandates an automatic caution with 10 laps to go.

The rule was first instituted in 1998 as a means to prevent a driver from running away from the rest of the field in the closing stages of the race. While it has proved successful in that regard, it has also created a demolition derby of sorts for the lead, deciding the most prestigious Late Model race in the country with a series of tumultuous restarts.

Prior to the introduction of the rule, Martinsville officials wanted to prevent fans from leaving early and thus, negate the possibility that they would never come back.

Martinsville track president Clay Campbell says the special nature of the event, and its $25,000 prize, dictates special circumstances and that the rule adds to the overall excitement of the race. As a result, he sees little reasoning to change it.

“To pay $25,000-to-win and $1,000-to-start, it’s not your typical race,” Campbell said. “We wanted to do something to make it exciting for the fans. We put that competition caution in with 10 laps to go and it’s been a staple of this event.”

The rule has been the center of controversy in recent seasons. In 2011, Lee Pulliam jumped the restart on Matt McCall, gave the position back off of Turn 4 coming to the white flag, but then hooked McCall in front of the field on the final lap to win the race.

A year ago, the 10-lap to go caution negated a fantastic four-driver battle for the lead between Pulliam, Dillon Bassett, Deac McCaskill and Matt Waltz. Tommy Lemons Jr. would capitalize on the rule when McCaskill spun Pulliam on a green-white-checkered and ultimately won the race when NASCAR declared that Lemons did not jump the final restart over Bassett.

The formula creates total chaos at the end and Lemons says it’s something you have to simply make peace with before filing an entry.

“It’s not necessary from the perspective of us racers,” Lemons said. “But from the track’s perspective, it’s a necessary evil that puts butts in the seats and sells those famous hot dogs. We know it’s coming and the only thing we can blame for tearing up so many cars is those holding the steering wheel and not the rule itself.”

Hickory Motor Speedway track champion and JR Motorsports development driver Josh Berry isn’t as understanding. He says the rule is unnecessary given the current Late Model Stock competition package.

“It’s just not right from my perspective,” Berry said. “Look at the race they were putting on last year. Lee, Dillon and Deac were putting on the greatest battle for the lead of any race that I’ve ever seen in my life with 15 laps to go and that caution threw it out the window.

“The way it is now, the winner isn’t the best team or even the best driver. The winner is whoever harpoons the field on the last restart. I wish we wouldn’t have it but I understand why they do. The drivers have control of the situation but what do you expect when they’re racing for the win?”

Franklin County and Ace Speedway winner Dennis Holdren has been attending Late Model races at Martinsville since 1973 and doesn’t agree with the rule either. Like Lemons and Berry, he is understanding of why it was instituted but believes the track and drivers can find a middle ground.

“I think it would be better if they tossed it with 25 or 30 laps to go,” Holdren said. “At that point, the tires are still worn out, the car is used up and you still give us time to go out there and race. It allows them to promote the excitement but you still have the possibility of seeing a race like we had late in the race last year before the caution.”

Ultimately, Campbell says he doesn’t see any reason to change the rule due to the special circumstances surrounding the event.

“This is not your typical race,” Campbell said. “With this kind of payout, I feel like we can do something like that and the drivers will understand it. They know what it’s like if they’re in front or in the back of it.”

“The rule is there to stay.”