Months of preparation for one of the most prestigious Late Model events in the country has finally come to an end, as the green flag for the ValleyStar Credit Union will fly at approximately 8 p.m. tonight. Over 80 drivers arrived at Martinsville on Friday afternoon for a chance to win at one of the oldest and most historic short tracks in the United States, but only one will walk away with the elusive grandfather clock as a trophy.
The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 is expected to draw a record number of people in attendance for Martinsville’s first race with permanent LED lights, but there are many fans and newcomers who may not completely understand how the race is conducted. For those who are new, or just want to be refreshed on the rules, here is everything that you need to know about the 2017 ValleyStar Credit Union 300:
Who’s locked in?:
Polesitter Jake Crum and outside polesitter Stacy Puryear are the only two drivers who are currently locked in to the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 after Jeff Oakley and Deac McCaskill were disqualified for separate post-qualifying inspection violations. However, unlike the Budweiser Duels at Daytona, Crum and Puryear are not required to participate in the upcoming heat races, and will be able to safely hold on to their starting spots without the risk of blowing a motor or crashing their car.
How does the rest of the field make the race?
Only 42 of the 88 drivers that are entered will be able to make the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, meaning that the remaining 40 drivers will have to lock in through heat races. There will be three heat races in total, with Tommy Lemons Jr., Matt Bowling and Lee Pulliam on pole for the three races. The Top 10 from each heat race will earn a spot in the ValleyStar Credit Union 300, while the remaining drivers will be forced to compete in the Last Chance Qualifier
The Last Chance Qualifier operates in a similar fashion to the heat races, except that up to 50 drivers may be competing in the event as opposed to the 27 drivers that start the three heats. Like the heat races, the Top 10 from the LCQ will make the first ValleyStar Credit Union 300 under the lights, with the rest of the field being forced to pack up and head home.
What does the race format look like?
The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 will consist of 200 laps and will be divided into three segments with mandatory five-minute breaks at Lap 100 and Lap 175. During the first break, teams will not be allowed to change tires, but will be allowed to put in fuel and make any necessary adjustments to the cars. The second break will be an inverse of the first break, as teams will be allowed to change tires and make adjustments, but will not be allowed to put fuel into the cars. During this break, race representatives will also do an inversion drawing to determine how the Top 10 will lineup for the final 25-lap segment.
Outside of the heat races, mandatory breaks and inversion drawings, the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 will follow the same race procedures as a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. All caution laps will count, and the free-pass procedure and double file restarts will be used during every single caution period.
How much money does the winner receive?
The driver who crosses the finish line first for tonight’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 will not only receive a grandfather clock, but will also collect a paycheck of $25,000. However, as demonstrated during qualifying on Friday evening, the cars of the top finishers of the race will have to undergo a rigorous inspection process. Unlike any of NASCAR’s top three series, if the winner fails post-race inspection, they will be disqualified from the race, and their earnings will be distributed to the second-place car, providing that they pass inspection as well.
The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 is NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious Late Model Stock Car race. Tickets for the September 23rd event are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-RACE-TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
Important Info:
Qualifying Results – https://race22.online/official-qualifying-results-valleystar-credit-union-300-at-martinsville-speedway/
Heat Race Lineups – https://race22.online/unofficial-heat-race-lineups-valleystar-credit-union-300-at-martinsville-speedway/
Qualifying Story – https://race22.online/jake-crum-inherits-valleystar-credit-union-300-pole-at-martinsville/
Friday LIVE Coverage – https://race22.online/live-valley-star-credit-union-300-pole-day-sept-22nd/
