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TRACK: Martinsville Speedway's New Suites a Community Project

30 July 1998

Martinsville, VA---Martinsville Speedway's new 13 corporate suites atop the NAPA and Goody's towers are "truly a community project" with as many as 17 local companies working on construction.

Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway, makes an effort to work with local companies as the track has expanded. His efforts are most evident with the number of companies working on the current project which will be ready in time for the Taco Bell 300 on Sunday, September 20 and the NAPA AutoCare 500 on Sunday, September 27.

"Whenever possible we use local companies to provide whatever we need including catering, construction and anything else we are doing," Campbell said. "Frith Construction is the general contractor for the suites and they have brought in a large group of local companies that have done a great job."

The list of local companies working on the project include Frith Construction, Smith and Beasley Architects-Engineers, Burr Foxx Specialized Wood, Peverall Supply Co., Outback Carpets, Danny Altizer, Whitlock Plumbing & Heating, AEP, APAC, Schlueter Electric, Service Roofing & Sheet Metal, Reliable Welding, Seybar, Inc., Martinsville Concrete, Martinsville Glass and Virginia Glass. Lou Harris, Inc. is the interior decorator for the project.

"This is truly a community project. There's no doubt about it," said Jim Frith of Frith Construction. "Better than 75 percent of the work is being done by local companies." One of the few parts of the construction that had to go to an out of town company was the installation of the elevator.

To put into perspective just how big the project really is, the facility has 13 suites with over 17,200 sq. ft. of room inside not including a hallway that spans the entire length of the suites at over 430 feet. Each suite includes a restroom, bar, and counters where fans will sit to watch the race. The project is on schedule to be completed by the first of September.

"Since our construction sub-contractors realize this is a NASCAR project and has to be done on time, everyone has a vested interest in its success. Everyone has rallied to the cause of racing," Frith added.

During other construction projects, Martinsville has also used local companies such as Nationwide Homes and many of the companies that are included in the current suite project. Pig-R-Us of Martinsville handles the catering duties on Winston Cup race weekend feeding as many as 5,000 fans in the speedway hospitality area and even more in the track suites and pressbox. Collinsville Printing handles the printing chores for the speedway including promotional materials and race programs.

"Not only do our race weekends have a $20 million economic impact on our community, but we have a major impact throughout the year due to our constant construction projects," Campbell said.

In the past three years, the track has added about 20,000 new seats, new restrooms, concession stands, 16 suites, built a road connection to the U.S. 58 bypass and cleared 50 acres for a new parking area.

Martinsville's next racing action is the Taco Bell 300 NASCAR Late Model Stock race on Sunday, Sept. 20. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12.

The NAPA AutoCare 250/500 weekend is September 25-27. Bud Pole qualifying for the Winston Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series begins at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25.

The NAPA 250 for the Craftsman Truck Series is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets are now on sale for the NAPA 250 for $25 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. The NAPA AutoCare 500 for the Winston Cup stars starts at 12:30 on Sunday, Sept. 27. Great tower seats are available for $55 to $60 and concrete bleacher seats are $35-$40. Call (540) 956-3151 for tickets.