Up to Speed: TruNorth Global 250 at Martinsville Preview

By Seth Eggert, NASCAR Correspondent

After two weeks off, the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series is back in action at Martinsville Speedway. Austin Hill is still the only driver locked into the Playoffs after Kyle Busch has won the last two races.

Drivers playing catch up, a huge rookie contingent, and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup drivers in the field once again are some of the storylines heading into the Martinsville 250. Austin Dillon, Bubba Wallace, and Kyle Busch are the only Cup drivers enter in Saturday’s race.

Coverage for the TruNorth Global 250 is scheduled to start Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. ET. Martinsville has been on the Truck Series schedule since its’ inception. In 40 races at the 0.526-mile ‘Paperclip,’ 28 drivers have claimed victory.

The last four races have produced four different winners. Busch, Matt Crafton, Johnny Sauter, and Wallace are the only former winners entered in Saturday’s race.

The last time the Truck Series visited Martinsville Speedway, Sauter took the victory in dominant fashion. Sauter held off Brett Moffitt to win by 4.572 seconds. five of the drivers that finished in the top-10 that day are entered in this weekend’s race.

By the Numbers

What:TruNorth Global 250, NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race 4

Where:Martinsville Speedway – Danville, Virginia (Opened: 1947)

TV/Radio: Fox Sports 1, 2:00 p.m. ET / MRN and SiriusXM Channel 90

Track Size: 0.526-mile Oval

Banking: 12 degrees in turns

Race Length: 250 Laps, 132 Miles (Three Stages, 70/140/250)

2018 Race Winner:John Hunter Nemechek – No. 8 Fleetwing / D.A.B. Constructors Chevrolet Silverado (Started eighth, 31 laps led).

Track Qualifying Record: Joey Logano (19.504 seconds, 97.088 mph – 3/28/2015).

Storylines Heading into the TruNorth Global 250:

There are several storylines going into this weekend’s race to watch for:

• Drivers attempting to make their Truck Series debut include Juan Manuel Gonzalez, Raphael Lessard, Tony Mrakovich, and Daniel Sasnett.
• Austin Dillon will be in the No. 8 Chevrolet Silverado for NEMCO Motorsports.
• Gonzalez will be in the No. 10 Chevrolet Silverado for Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing.
• Tyler Ankrum will be in the No. 17 May’s Hawaii Toyota Tundra for DGR – Crosley.
• Derek Kraus will make his first start of the season in the No. 19 ENEOS / NAPA Filters Toyota Tundra for Bill McAnally Racing.
• Bubba Wallace will be in the No. 22 Chevrolet Silverado for AM Racing.
• Sasnett will attempt his debut in the No. 34 Standard Sand and Silica Chevrolet Silverado for Reaume Brothers Racing.
• Mrakovich will attempt his debut in his own No. 43 Street Stores Hardware Chevrolet Silverado.
• Reid Wilson will make his first start of the season in the No. 44 Paul Jr Designs / TruNorth Chevrolet Silverado for Niece Motorsports.
• Lessard will attempt his debut in the No. 46 Spectra Premium Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
• Kyle Busch will be in the No. 51 CESSNA Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports.
• Dawson Cram will be in the No. 63 KMI / THP Chevrolet Silverado for Copp Motorsports.

Weekend Schedule (All Times Eastern)

Friday, March 22

• NGOTS Rookie Practice (11:05 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.)
• NGOTS Practice 1 (1:05 p.m. – 1:55 p.m.)
• NGOTS Practice 2 (3:05 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.)

Saturday, March 23

• NGOTS Qualifying (10:40 a.m., on Fox Sports 1)
• NGOTS Martinsville 250 (2:00 p.m. – 250 laps, 132 miles – on Fox Sports 1, SiriusXM Channel 90, and the Motor Racing Network)