50-year Dream Comes True At Martinsville Speedway
12 December 1997
Martinsville, VA---Warren Plaster's 50-year-old dream came true at Martinsville Speedway on Thursday. Plaster was one of more than 20 people who turned laps in an Allison Legacy Series car in a Hot Laps session conducted by the David Pearson Performance Racing School. For $15 a lap, Plaster and the others had the opportunity to strap on a helmet and find out what it's like to race at Martinsville. "I was here in September of 1947 when Clay (Earles) had his first race. I remember saying 'I wish I could drive a car out there around that dirt track.' Well for 50 years, I had that wish that I could drive a race car. This was my time or my day to do it," Warren said. "I got my dream 50 years ago right here at Martinsville Speedway. This is the greatest feeling of my life," he said as he began to tear up with emotion. "Gosh, I can't believe I've done what I wanted." It was especially a thrill for Plaster because he drove a car that resembled the Wood Brothers' number 21 car that Pearson drove to so many victories in the 1970's. "I have been a fan of Glen and Leonard (Wood) every since Glen started racing and I've stuck with the Wood Brothers ever since. I'm still a 21 guy," he said. Chester Hopkins, who will turn 70 on December 26th, got the thrill of his life making five laps around Martinsville. "It was fun, but I don't know if I would want to do it all the time," said the Patrick County, Va. resident. "I became a racing fan because of David Pearson when he was running for the Wood Brothers. This was really special." Brad Hodnett took the FinishLine Racing School at Martinsville last June and came back for more on Thursday. "It was awesome. I love this. You watch it on TV, but there's nothing like getting out here and driving," said the Martinsville resident. Bill Borden, with the David Pearson Racing School, said the session is a great opportunity for fans, and he hopes to have another Hot Laps day at Martinsville in 1998. "David and I talked when we first started this that we want people to come out and experience what the drivers get to experience. Of course they aren't running the speeds that the drivers do, but they get a feel for what it's like to drive a race car," he said. Borden will hold a Beginner Driving School at Martinsville on Saturday, December 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. He said the Beginner School is geared to three audiences. "Someone who has never driven a car and wants to learn about he sport, the guy who is running something like a ministock and wants to learn more, and then there's the people who have always wanted to do this. The guys that are 40 or 50 and they want to see if they can do it. They come out and test in the school before they invest the money," Borden said. Anyone interested in taking the school can call (904) 788-3774 for more information or call Martinsville Speedway at (540) 956-1600. The Allison Legacy Series will hold two races at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday, at 1 p.m., as part of Souvenir Day at the track. Twelve NASCAR Winston Cup souvenir trailers will be parked in the infield with great year-end deals on Winston Cup merchandise. There is no cost for Souvenir Day, but shoppers can bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated to the Henry-Martinsville Department of Social Services. Martinsville Speedway has collected over 5,000 toys during the past three years for children in the Martinsville-Henry County area. Souvenir Day will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. By Martinsville Public Relations