Martinsville, Virginia

Blog

Tommy Lemons Jr. Captures ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway

Tommy Lemons Jr. survived a wild last lap to win the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway and take home $27,000 and the iconic grandfather clock trophy. 

Lemons, who won the prestigious NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race for the second time in three years, was door-to-door with pole-sitter Timothy Peters coming out of turn four on the last lap. The two got together and Lemons held on for the win.

“We came off of four and I felt the hit in the wheel and at that point I thought we were both going to wreck,” Lemons said. “Luckily the car straightened up and we came out victorious.”

Last year’s winner and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series National Champion Lee Pulliam finished second and took home the Virginia Triple Crown trophy and $10,000 bonus.

Pulliam won both the Hampton Heat at Langley Speedway and the NASCAR Late Model 200 at South Boston Speedway.

“We had an awesome year. I can’t complain,” Pulliam said. “To come here to Martinsville and finish second and get that Triple Crown, that was big for us.

“I wish we could have capped it off with the big payday, $37,000, but I guess $16,000 ain’t too bad.”

The early part of the race was dominated by Todd Gilliland, but blind draw at the mandatory caution at lap 150 put Lemons who was running eighth in first.

“We were lucky there to get the invert and go from eighth to the pole,” Lemons said. “I can’t thank that lady (who did the blind draw) enough.

“We were struggling there a little bit in the first half. We came in, made a few adjustments and made the car better.”

R.D. Smith came home third, followed by pole-sitter Timothy Peters and Travis Swain.

Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway October 30 – November 1, for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 race weekend. Adult ticket prices for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 start at $45. Seats in the Bill France Tower are only $50. Ticket prices increase the week of the race.

The Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 is the first race in the Eliminator Round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Tickets to the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500  on November 1, the Kroger 200 on October 31 and the

Virginia Lottery Pole Day on October 30 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.