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Let there be light ... at Martinsville Speedway

martinsvillelights

Photographer: Steve Curtiss

Martinsville Speedway tested its new LED light system Wednesday, as four of its light towers were powered on along the backstretch of the historic half-time track.
“This is really exciting and such a historic day for Martinsville Speedway,” said Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway, in a statement. “I think we all had an idea of what it would look like, but know you can really visualize it. I can’t wait to see the whole track lit up. I think the fans are really in for a treat.”

The project will cost $5 million and make the track, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, the first major motorsports facility in the country with LED lights.

The track’s Sept. 23 late model race is scheduled to be the first event held under the lights at the track.

The track’s Cup and Camping World Truck Series weekends are each scheduled to be day races, but the lights mean that those races won’t face the threat of having to be shortened because of darkness. The Cup series races at Martinsville on April 2 and Oct. 29.

martinsville-with-lights

An artists rendering of what Martinsville Speedway will look like under the lights. (Courtesy of Martinsville Speedway)

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