ROANOKE, Va. – NASCAR is set to return to Martinsville Speedway in just over two weeks, and track president Clay Campbell and driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are already building anticipation for the upcoming race weekend.
Campbell and Stenhouse visited WSLS 10 on Tuesday as part of a media tour ahead of the Oct. 30-Nov. 1 race weekend at the paperclip-shaped track.
With NASCAR returning to the Chase format for its postseason, Campbell believes the change has added another layer of excitement to the championship battle.
“I think it’s made it better,” Campbell said. “You don’t have guys that are eliminated every three races or whatever it was.”
Campbell said the format allows more drivers to remain in contention mathematically deeper into the season, helping maintain interest as the championship race unfolds.
Stenhouse, who drives for Hyak Motorsports, agreed that the format brings a new level of intrigue, even as it draws inspiration from NASCAR’s past.
While the Chase resembles previous postseason structures, Stenhouse pointed to a new wrinkle that could have a significant impact on the standings: drivers earn an additional 20 bonus points for a race victory.
“You go win a race, it’s an extra 20 bonus points,” Stenhouse said. “I think that’s what’s keeping it very, very exciting right now.”
With four races remaining in the season, Stenhouse said a single victory could quickly change the championship picture by helping drivers erase deficits in the standings.
That added uncertainty could make the upcoming Martinsville race especially compelling as the postseason battle continues.
The NASCAR Cup Series returns to Martinsville Speedway from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1. More coverage of race weekend will follow in the days leading up to the event.
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