Story by: Andy Marquis ~ [email protected]

Copper Hill, VA(October 17, 2012) – While much of the attention will be paid to drivers like Philip Morris, Lee Pulliam, Dennis Setzer and Matt McCall in this year’s running of the Virginia is for Racing Loers 300 at Martinsville Speedway, there are several underdogs who could spoil the $25,000 party.

Adam Long comes to Martinsville fresh off a spectacular 2012 season at Kingsport Speedway. Long picked up three wins on the season at Kingsport and was solid during open testing. Long enters the 2012 Virginia is for Racing Lovers as one of the most improved drivers. Long’s performance has turned heads and given a reason for fans and other drivers to keep an eye on him.

Dexter Canipe, Jr. turned heads last season. In his first attempt at Martinsville, Canipe made the field and finished fourth. This year, the former Hickory Motor Speedway track champion and the son of a NASCAR Whelen All American Series National Champion, is entering with a limited budget in a car prepared by Greg Marlowe. With a little luck and a little hustle, Canipe could be going home with a grandfather clock.

Jamie Yelton was fast in Martinsville, and that could be scary. Yelton is one of the most experienced drivers entered in Sunday’s race. Yelton has 33 career wins in his late model stock car racing career and a track championship at Tri-County Motor Speedway. Now, the veteran driver seeks redemption. Yelton appeared destined for the win in 2008 after inheriting the lead in the final laps, but a cut down tire ended his chances of winning.

Garrett Campbell picked up his first career UARA-STARS win in 2010. In 2011, he won races at Newport Speedway, Ace Speedway, Greenville-Pickens Speedway and Caraway Speedway in the UARA-STARS series. This year, he found victory lane at Tri-County Motor Speedway. Now, he’s seeking to close out the season with a big win in late model stock car racing’s biggest stage.

Mike Darne wins big races. When the big money is on the line, Darne is a contender. He’s spent three years winning big at Old Dominion Speedway. Darne is a two-time winner of the Youth for Tomorrow 150 (2010, 2011). In 2010, he outdueled Brandon Brown and CE Falk to win the ODS Big One. In 2011, he found victory lane five times at Old Dominion, more than anyone else that season. He’s also scored three wins this year. A 10th place finish last year might be reason enough to keep an eye on Darne.

Mike Looney was fourth fastest during open testing at Martinsville. Now, he has his sights set on being that good on race day. Looney picked up his lone win on the 2012 season at Motor Mile Speedway in April. However, his performance in open testing will have eyes keeping an eye on car no. 47.

Coleman Pressley, son of Kingsport Speedway promoter and former Sprint Cup Series driver Robert Pressley, is a former UARA-STARS champion. Last year, Pressley finished ninth in the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300. Now, he’s hoping to finish eight positions better. And all it takes is a little luck.

Kris Bowen shocked a lot of people with his second quick 20.489 lap during testing at Martinsville. While he was shut out of victory lane in 2012, it appears he has brought his A-game to Martinsville Speedway. Consider this before writing Bowen off, only one driver was faster than Bowen in testing: Four time national champion and two time Martinsville winner Philip Morris.

While logic says Morris, Pulliam, McCall or Setzer will win the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on Sunday, passion has a funny way of trumping logic in racing. The results don’t always add up. Despite what conventional wisdom may say, when the race is on, all bets are off. Anybody in Sunday’s field could decide to flip the script and score an upset victory. After all, there is nothing scripted in racing.