NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Ned Jarrett will be honored prior to Sunday’s Goody’s Headache Relief Shot 500 Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway.
Petty, who won a track record 15 races during his career at the paper clip shaped short track, will serve as co-Grand Marshal of the race along with Tom Harman, marketing director of Circle K stores. Both men will also give the command for drivers to start engines prior to the race.
“I can hardly remember a time when Goody’s or Richard Petty wasn’t a part of Martinsville Speedway, and it’s great to have both back here again.” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said in a statement.
Jarrett, meanwhile, will enjoy a career first: serving as honorary pace car driver for Sunday’s race.
“One of the things that makes me feel good about it is knowing that the track hasn’t changed much,” Jarrett said. “They say you never forget how to ride a bicycle, well maybe I won’t have forgotten how to drive a car around Martinsville Speedway. I certainly look forward to it. It’s quite an honor.”
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