Falwell To Offer Invocation Prior to the STP Gas Booster 500

The Rev. Jonathan Falwell, senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, will offer the invocation prior to the start of the STP® Gas BoosterTM 500 at Martinsville Speedway on April 7.

Rev. Falwell has been in full-time ministry since 1994 and has served as senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church since his father, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, passed away in May of 2007. His father was the founding pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in 1956.

"We are very grateful to have Rev. Falwell deliver our invocation," said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. "The Falwell family has done so much to help so many people over the years, from Thomas Road Baptist Church to their various missions and through Liberty University (founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell)."

"What an honor for me to be able to take part in the festivities surrounding the STP® Gas BoosterTM 500 at Martinsville Speedway. I love the excitement and competitive spirit that is found in NASCAR," said Rev. Falwell. "I look forward to offering a prayer of safety and encouragement for the drivers as well as the fans.

"As one of the largest professional sports organizations, the fact that NASCAR still opens every event with prayer and the National Anthem is a great testimony to America and the world. We live in a culture today where so many feel as if God should not be honored or recognized. It is refreshing that Martinsville Speedway and NASCAR feel differently."

Tickets for the STP® Gas BoosterTM 500, the Kroger 250 and Martinsville Pole Day may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or by visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com online.

Martinsville Speedway's phone hours this week are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone hours for this Sunday are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Phone hours next week will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Martinsville Speedway's ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays through the upcoming race weekend. The ticket office will be open Easter Sunday, March 31.