Martinsville Speedway and the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by Michelin announced that the spec series will hold an exhibition race as part of the 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season finale event on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The event will be a 300-lap doubleheader called the ‘Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300’ with the Mazda MX-5 Cup taking to the track for 100 laps, directly followed by the 200-lap finale of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship. The race will award $15,000 to the Mazda MX-5 Cup race winner.
The event was announced last week at the speedway.
“We couldn’t be more excited to add another incredible event to that history,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell, who campaigned to bring the cars to Martinsville. “It’s been about a year, a year and a half process to get this announced.”
The exhibition event will not count toward the 2024 Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Championship, which concludes Oct. 11 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. It will consist of two practice sessions, single-car qualifying, and a 100-lap race split into two stages. Yellow flags will not count for the first 50-lap stage, but will be in effect for the second half. Prize money will also be awarded to the top three drivers at the stage break.
“It’s a great compliment to Mazda MX-5 Cup that NASCAR and IMSA leadership enjoy the series and want to expand its footprint,” said Jonathan Applegate, Senior Manager, Mazda Motorsports. “We’ve seen increased interest in the series from drivers with NASCAR aspirations who want to grow their skill set. Racing at Martinsville is a unique opportunity to capitalize on that and we are really excited about this opportunity.”
The concept of racing Mazda MX-5 Cup at Martinsville started amongst NASCAR and IMSA leadership, who recognized the entertainment value of the series’ incredibly close racing. Martinsville, the short track, was deemed a perfect fit for the small convertibles and a test featuring several drivers was conducted in August of last year.
“Martinsville Speedway has such a unique and rich history of racing, and we couldn’t be more excited to add another incredible event to that history,” said Campbell. “It’ll be the first time we have open top cars racing on track since our early days in the 50s, tapping into our past and also our roots as we host the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour finale on the same weekend. We’re excited to bring the Mazda MX-5 Cup to Martinsville, and I know this will be one the fans enjoy.”
The Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 will be the first ever race on an oval circuit for MX-5 Cup, though it has held events at rival tracks familiar to NASCAR fans, including Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Entries are open for all racers and are not limited to MX-5 Cup or IMSA drivers and teams.
In addition to a $15,000 check from Mazda for the winner, Martinsville will award one of their famous grandfather clocks as well. Runner-up receives $5,000, third place receives $4,000 and payouts continue through 10th place.
To prepare for this unique race, MX-5 Cup will hold a test at Martinsville on Monday, Aug. 26. The date is exceptionally convenient for MX-5 Cup teams who will have just concluded a doubleheader at VIRginia International Raceway, an hour’s drive away.
For more details on the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 and to purchase tickets to the race weekend, please visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
