Peyton Sellers has been in contention for the win in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 but has never been able to bring home the grandfather clock.
Martinsville Speedway has not been kind to the veteran Late Model racer from Danville, Virginia. Sellers has only one top-five finish in the ValleyStar Credit Union and victory in Late Model Stock Car racing’s biggest event seems so elusive for the 2005 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion.
“That win seems to elude us,” Sellers said. “Every year, it’s like something goes wrong. That’s Martinsville and that’s what makes it so special when it does happen. We didn’t race at all last year so it’s nice to have the orange and white colors back here for the historic Martinsville race. Looking forward to it and I think we have something to work with.”
In Sellers’ most recent Martinsville attempt, two years ago, he was in position late, spending much of the second half of the race in a thrilling battle with Mike Darne before a caution with 10 laps to go changed the complexion of the race. That race is symbolic of how Martinsville has been for Sellers, who says he just can’t put the whole race together.
“We’re there at the beginning, we’re there at the end, but we just haven’t been able to put a whole race together to get that checkered flag. Our shop’s got a couple grandfather clocks there and I would like to add to that list.”
Sellers has had a fast car and strong runs all season long, even though he has not scored a victory in 2016. Often times, Sellers elected to start at the back of the pack so he could gain passing points at South Boston Speedway.
“I haven’t won a race yet this year. I’ve come close a few times. Got spun out one time at Dominion leading. Got out-tired at South Boston a few times. Honestly, man, our performance has been really solid the second half of this year. Nobody saw it because we were going to the back for passing points. When you come from 18th to second or third, it shadows your performance.”
Sellers is a popular fan favorite driver who recently increased his popularity with the South Boston loyal after an incident in the season finale race at South Boston Speedway. While leading the race, Sellers spun off the front bumper of Lee Pulliam. After the wreck, Sellers chose to respond with an unconventional form of retaliation – grabbing the wiring harness out of the MSD digital ignition box in Lee Pulliam’s car.
“To be quite honest, I’m not much of a fighter and helmets cost too much to throw a helmet,” Sellers commented. “You know, I was just tired of getting pushed around. As soon as he got to me, he moved me out of the way and it was time to stand up for myself. If I wasn’t going to win it, he wasn’t either. The ball of wire that came off his MSD box shut him in his tracks.”
Sellers’ retaliation became one of the most talked about moments of the 2016 season instantly when photos and videos of the incident went viral on social media.
“I’m not much of a fighter so, be smarter,” Sellers explained. “I thought I had a win in the bag that night but the cautions didn’t line up. I’ve got a tore up racecar because of it. I had a $10,000 fix and he had a $10 fix. I call it even. Hopefully everyone’s smart and we move on and race here at Martinsville.”
Now, Sellers is hoping he can be smart in Sunday’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 and finally score the victory that has eluded him at Martinsville Speedway.
