Motor sports report

Martin set for I-30 gathering

Mark Martin
Mark Martin

Mark Martin’s racing career was in its infancy when he first came to what is now I-30 Speedway in Little Rock. On Saturday night, he’s coming back.

Martin, who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2017, will be at the quarter-mile, high-banked dirt oval as part of the Will McGary Tribute and Comp Cams Super Dirt Series late model event.

“In the summer of 1975, I was racing there just about every Saturday night,” said Martin, a Batesville native. “I’m excited to get back there and meet the fans, watch some great racing and help a great cause.”

Martin is scheduled to be at I-30 for an autograph session from 5-7 p.m. Racing will start at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the CCSDS late models, the track’s IMCA modified, factory stock, mini-stock and mod-light divisions will also compete.

In 1975, Martin was a 16-year-old in his second season of racing on dirt tracks around the state. He won the Arkansas State Championship race the year before at I-30, which was then known as the Benton Speedbowl.

“Back then, that was like winning the Daytona 500 for us,” Martin said.

Within a couple years, Martin was racing throughout the Midwest and made his first NASCAR start in 1981. Before retiring in 2013, he had won 40 NASCAR Cup races and earned more than $100 million in NASCAR’s top three professional divisions. He also won a then-record 49 races in what is now the Xfinity Series and won a record five titles in the IROC series.

“I came back [to I-30] to sign some autographs sometime in the ’90s, but that’s been it,” Martin said. “I’m anxious to see place again.

“It’s a chance to pay it forward a little, but I’m also a proud Arkansan and it’s a chance for me to connect with the racing community in the state. Here is where I started and it means a lot to me to come back.”

The second annual event honors Will McGary, a Conway police officer who died in the line of duty in 2013. Proceeds will go to the Will McGary Foundation, which provides counseling and assistance to police officers in central Arkansas and also helps the families of fallen officers.

Martin said he will also be on hand to promote the second annual Race for Hope 74, which will be held Sept. 25-29 at Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove and is sponsored by the Mark and Arlene Martin Race for Hope Foundation. The event is already considered one of the nation’s best for the IMCA modified division, paying $20,000 to win.

“I’m really excited about that race in September,” Martin said.

Gates open at I-30 at 5 p.m. Saturday, and fans will be limited to one item signed by Martin. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults and children aged 6-12 get in for $1. Pit passes are $35.

Batesville Madness

Batesville Motor Speedway in Locust Grove opens its season tonight and Saturday night with the March Madness Spring Nationals for IMCA modifieds and street stocks.

Each night’s main event will pay $1,500 to win for both divisions. Track promoter Mooney Starr said he expects the event will draw several modified drivers from around the nation who will use it as preparation for the second annual Race for Hope 74, which will be held at the track Sept. 25-29 and will pay $20,000 to win.

“That is turning into the biggest modified race in the world,” said Starr, who is starting his 26th season at BMS. “We had about 100 cars last year and I believe we will have about 200 or 250 this year.”

Former NASCAR driver Ken Schrader of Concord, N.C., and last year’s winner, Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz., have indicated they will attend this weekend’s event.

The race is also the first of four BMS special events for street stocks, culminating with the 22nd annual Schoenfeld Headers Mid-America Street Stock Championship on Sept. 13-15, which will pay $10,000 to win.

“I figure we will have 50-60 cars in both classes this weekend,” Starr said.

Last laps

Old No. 1 Speedway in Harrisburg will host the Comp Cams Super Dirt Series late models tonight, with the main event paying $2,000 to win. The series opened the season March 10 at Springfield (Mo.) Raceway with Greenbrier’s Jack Sullivan, the three-time and defending series champion, taking the victory. … Eight-year-old Conner Kuykendall of Little Rock won the Jr. 1 Green Clone division at the third annual North Mississippi Spring Indoor Nationals on March 10 at Crossroads Arena in Corinth, Miss. He also finished second in Jr. 2 Purple Cone Lite.

Upcoming Events