For the first time since 2010, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will return to Martinsville Speedway in 2020 for the MaxPro Window Films 200.
The modifieds, which were a fixture at Martinsville for decades, will race the 200 lap race on Friday night May 8, 2020 as part of the spring race weekend.
“We get asked a lot about the modifieds a lot – from fans, from drivers, from media,” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said. “Now, we can say, ‘Yes, we will have them back next year.’ These cars are such an important part of Martinsville Speedway history and the time is right to bring them back.”
The modified division first raced at Martinsville in 1960 and raced every year through 2002. Virginian Ray Hendrick, who also is the career leader in overall wins at Martinsville with 20, is the all-time leader in modified wins at Martinsville with 15. NASCAR Hall of Famer Richie Evans is second with 10.
“The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Martinsville Speedway are a perfect match,” said Brandon Thompson, NASCAR Managing Director, Touring Series. “When you talk history and legacy – names like Evans, Cook and Bodine are synonymous with Martinsville. The Modified division and Martinsville Speedway are the cornerstones on which the sport was built. We’re excited about adding names like Coby, Bonsignore, and maybe even Preece – a new generation of Modified racing stars to the half-mile and look forward to being part of an incredible race weekend.”
In qualifying for a 1986 modified event, Greg Sacks set the Martinsville Speedway track record for all divisions with a one-lap average of 101.014 miles-per-hour, a record that still stands.
The MaxPro Window Films 200 will add to an already exciting 2020 season at the historic half-mile speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series race will be under the lights in the spring, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series will return to the Speedway for the first time since 2006 as part of a triple-header weekend in the fall that will be the final race before the Championship Round of the NASCAR Playoffs for all three national touring series.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever felt this much excitement about an upcoming season at Martinsville Speedway,” Campbell said. “From the fans to competitors and media, it’s industry-wide excitement and we are all really looking forward to it.”
