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Wednesday’s Cup race at Martinsville: Start time, forecast and more

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Jimmie Johnson talks about the challenging conditions at Atlanta for him and his competition, explains why he's headed in the right direction this season, and shares why it will be tough to rebound at Martinsville.

The Cup Series is scheduled to hold its first night race at Martinsville Speedway on Wednesday, marking the third midweek Cup race since May 17.

Kevin Harvick enters this race having won last weekend at Atlanta. Brad Keselowski won the most recent short track race, taking the checkered flag May 31 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Here are the details you for Wednesday night’s race.

(All times are Eastern)

START: WWE Superstars AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan will give the command to start engines at 7:13 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 7:23 p.m.

PRERACE: Garage access health screening begins at 11 a.m. (teams are assigned specific times). Engine prime and final adjustments at 5 p.m. Drivers report to their cars at 6:50 p.m. The invocation will be given at 7:05 p.m. The national anthem will be performed at 7:06 p.m.

DISTANCE: The race is 500 laps (263 miles) around the half-mile track.

STAGES: Stage 1 ends on Lap 130. Stage 2 ends on Lap 260.

PACE LAPS: At the direction of race control, drivers will have the opportunity to run one pace lap down pit road before the green flag for a pit road speed check. If a driver stops in the pit box for any reason, pull over or slow down, they will start at the rear of the field.

Competition caution: Lap 60

TO THE REAR: Joey Gase will drop to the rear, must perform a drive through penalty following initial green flag and will incur an L1 penalty announced later this week (failed pre-race inspection five times).

TV/RADIO: FS1 will televise the race. Its coverage begins at 7 p.m. Motor Racing Network will broadcast the race. Its broadcast begins at 6 p.m. and also can be heard at mrn.com and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

FORECAST: The wunderground.com forecast calls for a high of 80 degrees and a 60% chance of rain at the race’s start.

LAST RACE: Kevin Harvick won at Atlanta for his second victory of the year. He beat Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr.

LAST RACE AT MARTINSVILLE: Martin Truex Jr. won over William Byron and Brad Keselowski in last fall’s playoff race.

STARTING LINEUP: Click here for starting lineup

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