The MHC Historical Society announced its partnership with the Virginia 250 Car Project, with VA250 and Arrington Engines.
Celebrating the 250th anniversary of Virginia, the American Revolution and the nation, the Virginia 250 car will set a new world record – a NASCAR-spec Dodge Charger race car to go 250 miles per hour at NASA’s 15,000-foot runway at Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility on Jan. 2, 2026.
The car and engine are designed and developed by Joey Arrington of Arrington Manufacturing, who built the engine which set the standing record of 244.9 mph as confirmed by Guinness World Records in Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah in 2007.
A film crew and helicopter will record this monumental event as the driver attempts to cross the 250 mph mark to honor and kick off the 250th year celebration of America. This event also will give a nod to Virginia’s history in racing and demonstrates that some of the best equipment in the world still originates in Virginia, sealing its rightful place in racing today.
The project team is Joey Arrington, owner of Arrington Manufacturing and Arrington Engines; Danny Turner, a former Martinsville city councilman and mayor; Dr. Pam Cobler, consultant with Cobler Consultants LLC, community advocate for Disability Rights and Resource Center and Reed Creek Supervisor; Roman Draper of Thrive Mind; and Holly Kozelsky, executive director of the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society. Alexir Hairston of Streetribe Designs designed and is producing a graphics wrap for the car.
“We are thrilled to be the fiscal agent and partner with the Virginia 250 Car Project, which connects Southside’s rich motorsports history to what Southern Virginia offers today,” said Kozelsky.
“We want to bring Southside Virginia to the world’s attention. What better showcase than the 250th anniversary of the declaration of independence and the 1969 Dodge Daytona, the most iconic muscle car ever built in Detroit.
The Virginia 250 Car will get the world’s attention and it’s up to us to market Southside’s wonderful economic opportunities and tourism offering, which include eight museums, while they’re hooked.”
Follow the car’s progress on www.mhchistoricalsociety.org with articles under the “Va. 250 Car” tab.
