The best-kept secret in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s career may be his short-track skill, especially at Martinsville Speedway.
Statistically Martinsville Speedway is one of Earnhardt Jr.’s best tracks and he has momentum on his side headed into Sunday’s Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger after finishing second last week.
He’s led 868 laps on the half-mile oval, his personal best at any Sprint Cup track.
“Martinsville is just a fun place, really fun track to race on. I think the fans get a great event,” said Earnhardt. “They get a great show when we’re there. It’s some of the best short track racing in the country that you can see. I feel like it’s always a lot of fun.”
According to NASCAR’s loop data statistics, Earnhardt is ranked fourth in the driver rating category at Martinsville with a score of 98.8.
In 27 Cup starts at Martinsville, Earnhardt has scored 10 top-five finishes and 14 top-10s and has two second-place finishes and a third to his credit. The 10 top-five finishes are also a personal best among Sprint Cup tracks.
Earnhardt ranks third among drivers for laps run in the top 15 during the last 17 races at Martinsville.
On-track action begins at 9 a.m. Friday with the first of two practice sessions for the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. The second truck series practice is at 10:30 a.m.
The Sprint Cup cars take to the track at noon Friday for a 90-minute practice.
Qualifying for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 Powered by Kroger is set for 3:40 on Friday followed by Kroger 200 qualifying.
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