Catchfence

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (September 28, 2011) – Philip Morris was back at the front of the field at Martinsville Speedway Wednesday, but to hear the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 defending champion talk, you wouldn’t know it.

Morris, who is from Ruckersville, was consistently at the top of the leader board Wednesday in an open test session for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock Car race, which is scheduled for October 9.

Morris’ fast lap of 20.478 seconds (92.470 mph) around the .526-mile oval was a tick better than Wayne Ramsey, who was second fastest on the day at 20.493 seconds (92.402 mph).

“We’ve got to make this car handle a little better than it is right now,” said Morris, who won last fall’s Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300, and who more recently claimed his fourth NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship.

“It (the car) is average I feel like. We’ve got to make it turn a little bit better. We’ve got to get all the data we can from today, download it over the next couple of days and come up with something magical for the race I hope.”

Rounding out the top five in Wednesday’s test, which drew 87 cars from a dozen states, was Josh Berry of Mooresville, NC, in third, B.J. Mackey of Rock Hill, SC, fourth, and Danny Edwards of Virginia Beach fifth.

Even though Ramsey was second fastest on the day, the Amherst driver probably won’t be in the field on Oct. 9. He was subbing for Justin Johnson, who couldn’t be at the track for Wednesday’s test.

The teams will return to Martinsville Speedway on Friday, October 7 for inspection and practice. Practice and time trials are scheduled for Saturday, October 8. Only the fastest 22 cars will make the field through qualifying with the remainder of the 42-car field filled through four 25-lap heat races beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 9. The top five finishers from each heat race will transfer to the 200-lap feature.

Tickets are $20 for adults and children 12-and-under are free for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 on October 9. Tickets for qualifying on October 8 are $5. Tickets for qualifying day are on sale at the ticket office only.

Fan gates will open at 9 a.m. on October 8 and 9. Tickets for the Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300 may be ordered by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

- South Boston Speedway Press Release