Chris Owens’ List …
1. Brandon McReynolds – After the finish last year and what ensued after the race with Jake Crum, McReynolds has to be hungry to win this year. After several ARCA starts, McReynolds is back behind the wheel of his AirPlus/Jesse Jones Hot Dogs Dodge for only the third time this season. After a 5th place finish at the Denny Hamlin race at Southside in April and a win at Rockingham back in May, McReynolds is one of my favorites to pull off the win.
2. Philip Morris – What else can you say about Philip Morris? After an off year that seen him run Motor Mile and South Boston, Morris is coming to Martinsville ready to lay his critics to rest. He was fast in both test sessions this month, testing four different cars and is coming back with a car he thinks will be better in the long run of the race.
3. Lee Pulliam – Lee was the fastest at both test sessions by our watches even breaking into the 19-second bracket a few times. Pulliam returns with a lot of confidence and several people are saying he could break Davin Scites strangle hold on the pole and track record this year. Several wins at South Boston and a strong couple of runs at Motor Mile have Pulliam at the top of just about everybody’s list of winners this year.
4. Paddy Rodenbeck – Paddy has been off racing the NASCAR Camping World Truck series this year, but when he has returned to the LMSC World, he has been bad fast. At Rockingham, Rodenbeck ran in the top two the majority of the race only to come up short of the win for the second time in a row on the big track. Rodenbeck has a lot to prove this year so look for him to be fast all weekend in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300.
5. Matt McCall – McCall came into Martinsville last year riding a wave of momentum after winning several races in the UARA-STARS Series. This year has been a different story as he has been more focused on his business. By mid-season he found himself a new home at Fat Head Racing after a split with car owner, Tom Pistone and quickly showed they were a force to be reckoned with by winning the Dwight Huffman Memorial at Hickory. McCall comes into Martinsville with a handful of starts this year, but he will be at the front on Sunday.
6. Brandon Dean – Dean knocked Philip Morris off his Motor Mile thrown this year by winning the track championship. With two race wins to go with the championship, he comes into Martinsville with a lot of confidence. With Frank Deiny behind him, you can almost guarantee a good showing out of the Kiker Motorsports #5.
7. Dennis Sezter – He’s back driving a Long Brothers entry once again this season. The team was the first through the gates at both test sessions and they look to have found something over last year. Sezter has been driving for Ricky Benton on the truck side of things this year and he comes to Martinsville once again trying to take home the grandfather clock.
8. Alex Yontz – Yontz hasn’t had a whole lot to smile about this year, with just one win on the UARA tour, but Yontz comes to Martinsville rejuvenated and driving the Jay Hedgecock house car. He was sixth quickest by our watches at the second test and after moving away from the bad situation he had been in, he’s again one of the drivers to watch.
9. Brennan Poole – Poole has been on a tear in the UARA-STARS Series this season with six wins and the last three in a row. Poole comes into Martinsville riding a wave of momentum and while he and his Fat Head Racing team wasn’t happy with the performance of the car at the first test, so they brought the same car from last years race to the second test. Now he and his team think they have the right combination to put them back in contention and back in a position to win this big race.
10. Underdog — Garrett Campbell – Garrett has been racing the UARA-STARS for the past three seasons, but it wasn’t until this year that he brought his A-game. He has shown that he can get the job done in qualifying with 3 poles at Myrtle Beach, Concord and Dillon and Campbell also dominated the Concord race enroute to his first win on the tour. With BJ Mackey helping Campbell this year at Martinsville, expect Campbell to turn a lot of heads.
Corey Latham’s List …
1. Dennis Setzer – He is the man when it comes to short track racing, it’s as simple as that. While he may not race much with the Late Model guys anymore, Setzer is always a force wherever he is. Last year the team pulled their usual mental games, pulling in right before practice was over, but it didn’t work in their favor as they had one of the most dismal performances ever from the Long Bros. team. But this year they were there bright and early, and looked fast throughout the day, and the fact that they ran Motor Mile two weeks prior to shake the car down finishing in the top five with Jamey Caudill says they are going to Martinsville fully loaded for bear.
2. Lee Pulliam – Here is the one that everybody is watching. Pulliam has been the fastest car in testing by far, but teams have questioned whether he can back that up a long run after busting off quick laps in practice then heading to the garage. The team did make some longer runs, and the times didn’t fall off as much as some thought, so he seems to be good for the long haul according to my watch. Pulliam has flown under the radar running well this year, but just hasn’t been getting the talk as others have, one reason could be that he has never actually made this race before. But he is rising up to be the new face of Late Model racing, he has the tools and the personality to take him there, and most importantly, he works on his car every day, a art lost with younger drivers and rental programs with others doing the work.
3. Jamey Caudill – Here’s another driver that fits into the Setzer mold, as Caudill knows how to get the job done in these big races at the end of the season, or any race for that matter. After dominating Late Model Stock Car racing for many years, he moved into a consultant role this season and has raced sparingly and not looked good at all in the races he has entered. But, this is Jamey Caudill, he knows how to get the job done, he didn’t forget and last week at Martinsville testing he ripped off some laps that had others talking.
4. Brennan Poole – He undoubtedly is the hottest touring driver in Late Models this season, as he has set the UARA-STARS Series on fire with 6 wins. Poole has had a breakout season and it all started with Martinsville last year as he and eventual winner Jake Crum had a battle for the ages, totally debunking my theory that experience wins at Martinsville. I still think it’s the key factor, but it may just be that these young drivers run like bulls in a China shop and Poole already fits the mold of a seasoned veteran. He is smooth, but aggressive when need be and most importantly he gets interviewed on the frontstretch after every race he runs.
5. Brandon McReynolds – “Franchize” is back this year after having his racing schedule cut down to make room for ARCA races and he’s back with a key ingredient, Nick Hutchins. After setting the world on fire in the 09′ UARA season with three wins and a threat at every other one in between, McReynolds hopes to finish one spot better this year at the paperclip as he was another player with Crum last year finishing second and even having some post race fireworks. McReynolds is poised to win, it may be his last chance at the Martinsville Late Model trophy as he looks to move on to higher series’ in the future.
6 CE Falk III – If you go back and look, Falk actually is the hottest driver this season picking up nine wins at Langley Speedway along with the track championship, a win at Motor Mile, runner up in NASCAR Virginia State points and winning the Denny Hamlin Showdown in dramatic fashion. His last few races have not been what he has been looking for, bad thing is everybody quit talking about him because he was finishing like second and third…..sounds awful doesn’t it? He is another driver like Pulliam, as he and his team have hit on something the last year and a half or so, but anything less than a win this weekend is a failure to them.
7. Matt McCall – Here is a driver that simply scares others when he shows up at a track to race. Winning for many years, in the last five years he is the car to beat wherever they are running and he can win big races also as he’s proved the last two years in the Dwight Huffman Memorial at Hickory. McCall is usually feast or famine when he races, he either falls out with mechanical problems or he destroys the field and unfortunately at Martinsville it hasn’t been the later. Ignition, engine or a flat tire, it always seems to be something and it usually comes when he is running in the top five. Now that he is racing out of the Fathead Racing shops, he may have the reliability he needs to get him to the checkered flag, as they are known to have very few problems throughout races.
8. Philip Morris – He could have not came to testing at all and people would have been talking about how fast he was. Intimidated by some, hated by others, loved by the rest, these are all caused by one thing…….winning. Maybe the best Late Model Stock Car racer ever, Morris has won this race before and has been on the brink so many other times. National championships, track championships, a Martinsville win and driving the most famous car in local racing history, Morris is a threat. He backed that up in practice as he brought four different cars over the two days of testing. Bad news for the competition is that each one was just as fast as the other and all four were faster than anybody else but Pulliam.
9. Brandon Butler – Now here is a guy that may be others underdog pick, but I’m picking him to take the trophy, this list isn’t really a order of anything but it was hard putting him down this far on the board. Always a fierce competitor, Butler’s racing career, or should I say driving career, has slowed down to almost a stop in recent years, matter of fact Martinsville will be his first start of the season. It doesn’t matter though, as Butler seems to excel at Martinsville every year, nearly winning the event numerous times including last year before mechanical failure led to a wreck between he and late race leader Alex Yontz. He is back again this year with a brand new car, looked consistently fast in every practice session and typically is a good qualifier putting himself in the top 15 every year. If anybody is surprised to see the black and silver #29 in victory lane Sunday it won’t be me, I’m tempted to bet on it.
10. Underdog — Kelly Kingery: You just gotta like Kelly, he’s as crazy as they come and he’s an old-school driver, when he sits in the car, he gets up on the wheel. He doesn’t have the money that most of these teams have, but he makes up for what his car lacks from the seat, if he finishes 5th somewhere it was really an 8th place car, HE made it finish 5th. He has had good runs at Martinsville before, but his equipment has not always been up to par which makes it hard for the long haul, as the race is brutal on cars and everyone else has nearly brand new pieces out there. Even with a worn out motor this year at Motor Mile he picked up a pole and ran in the top five nearly every event, a track with the best competition in the country.
Doc Love’s List …
1. Philip Morris – Focused more than ever on the big show at Martinsville, Philip has taken time off from weekly racing and focused all of his attention to Martinsville. Although Philip continues to qualify well he has not had a top five finish at Martinsville since his Victory in 2000. His bad luck ends this year!
2. Brennan Poole – Last year proved he could drive a racecar and compete with the best of them, he qualified 10th in his first attempt at the big show and finished 3rd. This year he proved he has the killer instinct to win races.
3. Brandon McReynolds – Last year was also his 1st attempt at the Big Show, qualified 9th and finished 2nd …. had a car good enough to win. Will race the same car, same engine package with Nick Hutchins returning as crew chief.
4. Alex Yontz – 2006 winner, was leading at halfway last year. Really shines at the larger events, currently the only driver to win a Late Model Stock Car race at Bristol and Martinsville. He will be driving the Jay Hedgecock House Car powered by Ravon Clark, same winning combo as 2006.
5. Davin Scites – Did not race a much this year but raced to victory at Motor Mile in his 2nd or 3rd start there this year against the toughest competition LMSC racing has to offer. Davin holds the current Late Model Stock Car track record at Martinsville, 20.216 sec’s @ 93.668 MPH but has had horrible luck come feature time. He’ll be fast for sure, the TQ is great but Davin wants to win this thing this year.
6. Justin Johnson – Back to Back championships at South Boston is quite impressive against some fierce competition week to week. Plus, Claiming the NASCAR VA State Championship with 12 victories on the season. Justin has plenty of momentum headed into Martinsville.
7. Matt DiBenedetto – Raw natural talent. He has made the feature on all three attempts and has averaged a 6th place finish over the past 3 years. Very confident, great support and a very smart driver.
8. Brandon Dean – 2010 Motor Mile Speedway Track Champion, is very tenacious behind the wheel. One of the most improved drivers over the past couple of years. Raced his way in last year, started 33rd, finished 13th.
9. Brandon Butler – Has won races, track championships at multiple facilities but has yet to win at Martinsville. Brandon is racing a family owned car this year and says racing for his family is very motivating.
10. Underdog — Daniel Hemric – Won the Million Dollar Legends race at Charlotte. Has proven to be a winner in everything he has driven. I believe he posses the most natural talent in driving a race car that is in the business today.
John Bowen’s List …
1. Matt McCall – Over the past several years it has seemed McCall could do everything but win at Martinsville. From a late race crash on a restart a few years back to a oil line issue last year something seems to always come between McCall and that grandfather clock. So what’s different this year? He hasn’t been tearing up short tracks as much this year and I believe he has had more time to focus on this one race that he hasn’t won.
2. Brandon McReynolds – McReynolds was a force to reckon with last year and after reuniting with former crew chief, Nick Hutchins, I believe they will once again be strong. Hutchins, who recently lost his father will be on hand with a heavy heart and on a mission to bring home the victory for his father.
3. Brennan Poole – How could you not put Brennan Poole on your list? Six UARA-STARS Series victories in one season and the season isn’t even over yet. Brennan will be just as strong as last year when the green flag drops and I expect Jamie Yelton and David King will have him dialed in for the final laps of this race.
4. Davin Scites – Davin has proven himself to be the top guy when it comes to qualifying at Martinsville and he has the odds in his favor when it comes to that category, but I believe this is his year to run strong during the race also. I’m not going to say Davin will be on the front row but I do believe his chances of being in the hunt at the end this year are a lot stronger than ever before.
5. Wayne Ramsey – Ramsey’s name comes up often in conversation when talking about the Virginia Late Model Stock Car race and with former race winner, Frank Deiny, Jr. behind him I believe Ramsey will be on everyone’s radar. Ramsey will easily be a top 22 qualifier and I believe FDJ will have a great race package on his car for a shot at winning this big event.
6. Lee Pulliam – Unofficially Lee was the quickest car during both practice days and I don’t expect that to change during the race weekend. Pulliam has proven he is the real deal throughout the season and with the Sellers in your corner you can’t go wrong at Martinsville. He will be fast for sure being one of the cars to watch, but I believe he will suffer from the Matt McCall curse this year and not be able to get to the checkered flag.
7. Philip Morris – Hard to not pick the three-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Champion. Philip is one of my top two picks to win. I believe this could be the year he gets Clarence’s Steak House that Martinsville Late Model victory and put the icing on the cake in both his career and Clarence’s career as a sponsor.
8. Brandon Butler – Has everyone forgot who Brandon Butler is? They shouldn’t – Brandon will be in contention at Martinsville even when he is 80 years old and in a wheelchair. That Silver and black #29 was the talk for most of the first test day and had a lot of people scratching their heads wondering who was behind the wheel and once they found out it was Butler the response was, “Of course”.
9. Jamey Caudill – Jamey may have not run a full season this year or may not been in a season long points battle but I believe that’s why Jamey is one of the guys to beat this year. His focus is on Martinsville and from the looks of the first test it seems he is 100% focused on winning. Jamey has always been a contender and I would keep an eye out for that blue #50 car.
10. Underdog — Daniel Hemric – Some may call me bias but my underdog and I know your response is Daniel who? Hemric isn’t a well known name in anything other than a Legends car, but I believe that’s why he is a true underdog. He isn’t coming into his first career Late Model Stock Car race without a loaded gun as he is behind the wheel of the famous #22 Black’s Tire car with veteran crew chief, Rick Hester calling the shots. Also as an added bonus is the ties between his Black’s tire car owner and former Martinsville winner, Dennis Setzer and that may pay off and help curve this challenge.
Kimberly Smith’s List …
1. Stacy Puryear – Stacy’s been a mainstay in Late Model Stock Car racing and he’s been a contender at Martinsville in the past, but it’s this season that has me throwing my vote toward the veteran driver. Stacy had a great year, in fact despite only winning once this season, it may well have been one of his best seasons in a while and he feels like he has a great car and great shot in this race.
2. Tommy Lemons, Jr. – While he’s had one of the worst seasons he could have asked for despite high expectations at the beginning of the season, but when he’s been on it, he’s been one of the drivers to contend with. In this race he’s been solid, leading until getting spun late in the 2008 race and having a mechanical failure last fall, this could be the year he shakes his bad luck.
3. Brandon Dean – After a great 2010 season that saw the young driver take his car to victory lane twice and even winning the track championship at Motor Mile Speedway, Brandon could be poised for a huge break through at Martinsville. Last fall he had to make it in by a heat race, but drove his car all the way to a 13th place finish and with a little better qualifying effort, which he should have with the assistance of Frank Deiny’s FDJ Motorsports, he might have a shot to win this race.
4. Dustin Rumley – After destroying a car and missing three races at Ace, he rebounded to win three races and the pole for nearly every race on the tough 4/10 mile track. He’s driving a Marlowe chassis that he bought from Ross Furr and with a little but of help from Greg Marlowe, who had four drivers sweep the top four last fall, he could very well be in one of those positions this time.
5. Andy Mercer – Now with two Hickory Motor Speedway track championships under his belt, Andy will be driving like he’s posessed as he tries to redeem himself at Martinsville, where last fall brake problems kept him from qualifying for the show. With 22 wins over the last two seasons at Hickory and a near-miss at Myrtle Beach last fall after dominating the big race, he has to be ready to make his mark on the biggest race of them all.
6. Ryan Wilson – Ryan comes in with a little momentum on his side after winning the Richard Petty Driver Search II recently and having been one of the few drivers to qualify in on time last fall in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 as well as the Myrtle Beach 400, the other big fall race. Wilson simply needs a little luck to find himself in a position to capitolize and carry momentum from Martinsville to his ride with the Petty’s at Rockingham in the ARCA season finale.
7. Doug Godsey – Some drivers are the one’s to watch because they could be a threat come race day and while Doug may be in contention himself it doesn’t matter whether he’s running first or last, in the feature or in a heat race, you’ll want to keep your eye on him as he’s wild and just might make you get up out of your grandstand seat.
8. Forrest Reynolds – Once a child prodigy, Forrest has fallen on hard times recently, not having the funds to compete on a regular basis like he needs to and in fact he hasn’t been heard from all season. That will all change as he jumps behind the wheel of Doug Godsey’s backup car and tries to make it into the biggest show of the year and I think he knocked the rust off during the last test session.
9. Kris Bowen – Always a top contender whether it’s at his normal home track at Caraway or this past season competing at Motor Mile. Kris has the potential to show some strength in this race despite having one of the oldest chassis that will be competing this year. Keep an eye on him because his talent may just shine through this weekend.
10. Underdog — John King II – After picking up his first career Late Model Stock Car victory at Lonesome Pine on July 24th, King backed that up with an incredible performance in his first career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, where he ran in the top ten for much of the night at Bristol. A few weeks later he started on the outside pole for a Late Model Stock Car race at Motor Mile, the most competitive track around and led a quarter of the race before fading and eventually parking due to mechanical failure. Look for him to be strong with the guidance of veteran chassis builder, Jay Hedgecock.
Langley Austin’s List …
1. Ryan Robertson – Fresh off the biggest win of his career(I know, I know, he was disqualified, but he’s got the photos to prove he won it) in the SouthEast Limited Late Model race at Ace Speedway this past weekend, Ryan will be poised to take home the trophy and keep it this time. He made this race two years ago pedaling the car by Coleman Pressley for the transfer spot in the heat race proving he can make this race and now he has to prove he can compete for a top ten position.
2. Richard Boswell – After losing his ride with JR Motorsports a little earlier in the year, Richard didn’t burn any bridges with the team and when the time came they called him back to get him to shoe their car in the biggest Late Model Stock Car race of the year. In testing, Boswell was solid and he’s always a threat from qualifying right down to the late stages of the race.
3. Michael Ritch – Another one of the names that a blast from the past for Late Model Stock Car fans, but for those of you who follow the USAR Pro-Cup Series, Michael Ritch is still fresh in your mind. Back in a Late Model Stock Car for the first time in a while and the guy showed right off the bat that he can still wheel one of these cars turning some impressive laps in both the tests.
4. Barry Beggarly – All of you know who Barry is, or if you don’t, you either must be new or have been living under a rock. Barry is one of the most successful and recognized Late Model Stock Car drivers in the history of the division and with him making his return to Martinsville Speedway and being a former winner there, he’s definitely one of the Drivers to Watch.
5. Josh Brock – Those of you who follow the NASCAR K&N West Series or the Ken-Ten Super Late Model Series are a little more familiar with Josh, but the youngster is also impressive in a Late Model Stock Car. Brock has only competed in two Late Model Stock Car races, the first last fall at Kingsport, TN and just last week he competed at Greenville Pickens in a UARA-STARS Series race. While he hasn’t blown people away yet, driving a Marlowe house car, he’s got the potential to impress.
6. Harrison Rhodes – Many of you are again saying “Who?”, but trust me you are going to know about him before long. He’s spent his rookie season under the direction of Brad Brinkley, who almost always makes the field with usually a top ten speed in qualifying. No Harrison hasn’t set the world on fire yet, but in testing with Brad in his car, the two were turning nearly mirrored laps on the track and with Brad’s help this youngster could just thrust himself to the forefront in the grandaddy of them all.
7. Kenny Forbes – A few years ago this young driver was making noise even before he was old enough for a NASCAR License and not that he’s been competing at South Boston for the past two seasons he seems to have fallen into a slump, but recently at testing for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers he was showing signs of greatness again. Unofficially he was 9th fastest of the 91 cars we timed throughout the two days of testing and if he and his team stay on there A-game, he could be the next big thing we’re all talking about.
8. Jeb Burton – He’s probably the most overlooked of the NASCAR offsprings, but there’s no doubt about it that he has talent pulsing through his veins and he could very well be one of this years surprises. With crew chief, Neil Perkins, chassis builder and consultant, Frank Deiny, Jr. and father Ward Burton, a Daytona 500 winner by his side the younger Burton is destined for big things and the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 could be his break through moment.
9. Jimmy Mullins – I think that over the years going from a contender for the win to missing the show has really made people somewhat forget about Jimmy at Martinsville, but the fact remains that he’s still digging and still trying to make an impact in the seasons biggest race. Between the first test and the second at Martinsville he cut the front end off and replaced it with Hedgecock parts and that just could put the “old dog” back in the fight.
10. Underdog — Brandon Brown – Some of you might be saying “Who?”, but for those of us that keep up with the entire landscape of Late Model Stock Car racing know that Brandon burst onto the scene this year as a rookie at Old Dominion Speedway. He captured just one victory this season, but made a huge impact as the NASCAR Virginia State Rookie of the Year and a second place finisher in Old Dominion’s “Big One”, one spot behind former track champion, Mike Darne and one spot ahead of Langley Speedway champion, CE Falk. Though he struggled in testing last week, he’s proven that if his team can give him the car, he’ll wheel it and he just might be this years biggest surprise.
Mason Dunn’s List …
1. Matt Dibenedetto – Joe Gibbs Racing’s part-time Nationwide series driver makes a return to his roots for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 marking his first Late Model Stock Car start since he finished ninth in the 2009 edition of this race. Dibenedetto was a factor in the late stages for the win but faded late from a spot in the top five to his eventual ninth finishing position. Dibenedetto has had struggles in Nationwide competition this year and will probably use this rare LMSC start as a way of getting back to basics and regain some of his former swagger behind the wheel.
2. CE Falk III – Falk has already shown he can perform on the big stages taken home wins in both the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown at Southside Speedway as well as the Hampton Heat 200 at his home track of Langley Speedway. Top ten finishes in other big races at South Boston and Old Dominion also bolster Falk’s 2010 big race resume. Recent wins and strong performances at tracks all over Virginia should give Falk plenty of momentum heading into Martinsville.
3. Justin Johnson – The 2010 South Boston track champion and now NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Virginia State Champion has plenty to smile about heading into Martinsville and should definitely be on everyone’s list as someone to keep an eye on in that FDJ prepared number 44. This will be his second big race of the season after finishing top ten in the 200 lapper at South Boston a few months ago. Johnson will definitely be in contention to defend his ground as the Virginia State Champion and take home the biggest prize in Late Model Stock competition
4. Lee Pulliam – What can I say about Lee Pulliam that the time charts from the two open practice sessions that they have held at Martinsville Speedway this season haven’t already said? This guy is bad fast and is going to be a factor not only for the pole award but also for the win as he told RACE22.com at the second test session that he feels his car is better on the long runs then it is on sticker tires. Pulliam and his Sellers Racing team have been getting stronger and stronger all season competing for wins at both South Boston and Motor Mile.
5. Timothy Peters – Currently sitting in the top five in the Camping World Truck series points and having won the Truck series race at Martinsville earlier this year, it would be hard not to have one eye keeping track on where Timothy Peters is at all times on the track as he makes his return to Late Model Stock competition for this event. His current Truck series involvement should play as an advantage as 200 laps will just seem like another day in the office to him. Peters used to be a main staple in the Late Model Stock community and look for his return to bring nothing short of the former muscle he used to flex at the track every time he showed up.
6. Brennan Poole – Jamie Yelton’s young prot�g� is coming into this weekend’s Virginia Is For Racing Lovers 300 on a tear. Six wins so far in UARA-STARS competition at six different tracks give this young driver the kind of momentum he will need to be able to repeat his performance in the 2009 edition of this race when he battled late for the win with fellow UARA drivers, Jake Crum and Brandon McReynolds for the win. While Poole will no doubt be a bit distracted by his current points battle with Coleman Pressley for the UARA title, which will come to an end the week after Martinsville at Rockingham Speedway, look for him to set that all aside and focus on earning that victory that slipped out of his grasp in 2009.
7. Wayne Ramsey – No doubt one of the two flagship drivers in Frank Deiny Jr.’s FDJ Army stable, Ramsey was putting together a championship season at Motor Mile Speedway before crashes on a packed night of twin races and lack of funding caused that title to slip out of his hands. Ramsey is back though for Martinsville and ready to put his No. 42 back into victory lane not only for the glory of the win but to help attract sponsors so that he can run more not only this season but also in 2011.
8. Davin Scites – The three-time pole sitter and three-time track record breaker, Davin Scites returns to Martinsville this year looking to have a performance in the race that will be as strong as his qualifying efforts have been. Scites has returned to the Late Model Stock scene lately after spending some time in Legends car competition and has done so with a bang with strong performances and wins at Motor Mile Speedway. Can this be the year that the West Virginia native has that breakthrough performance during the race? Only time and 200 laps will tell.
9. Matt McCall – Last year Matt McCall walked into Martinsville riding a wave of momentum after having won races all season at a whole list of different tracks and was one of the favorites until a busted oil line brought about an early end to his day in the feature. Well now McCall returns under completely different circumstances as he enters only his third race of the season with his new team over at Jamie Yelton’s Fat Head Racing. McCall and teammate Poole will be able to pull together their resources and make sure they both not only make the race but are up front at the end competing for the win.
10. Underdog — Ryan Wilson – The young driver from Randleman, North Carolina has definitely had an up and down season but with his recent performance in the
