Clay Campbell could have made an early descent from atop the Martinsville Speedway entrance sign Friday afternoon, but he knew the longer he stayed up in the air meant more money to help needy children in the Martinsville and Henry County area.
Campbell, the president of Martinsville Speedway, had vowed to stay perched some 38 feet in the air until he raised $20,000 for the Martinsville Speedway Children’s Foundation. That total was hit by mid-afternoon, but Campbell made the easy decision to stay put, even as temperatures dropped later in the afternoon.
By the time Campbell descended at 4 p.m. contributions had topped $25,000.
“It wasn’t nearly as cold as it was last year, so I figured I would stick it out up there as long as I could so we can help as many children as we can,” said Campbell. “It always amazes me how generous the folks of Martinsville and Henry County and our friends in our racing family are. In today’s economy, to be able to raise this much money in a single day is incredible.”
The temperature hovered just below freezing when Campbell was lifted to his roost. The temperature rose into the high 40s during midday, but then dropped as the afternoon wore on. The only time he came down during the eight hours were for a couple of TV and radio interviews.
The Christmas spirit revs back up at Martinsville Speedway Saturday with the 15th Annual Martinsville Speedway Toy Drive to help needy youngsters in the Martinsville and Henry County area have a good Christmas.
During the toy drive, fans will get to drive their personal vehicles around Martinsville Speedway’s famous half-mile track if they donate a toy or make a $10 donation. Volunteers from the Grace Network will be at the pit gate to collect the donations.
For those who want to make a little quicker trip around the track than they can in their personal vehicle, Campbell will give them five hot laps in one of Martinsville Speedway’s pace cars for a $25 donation. Participants will receive a certificate of completion from Campbell.
Fans will also be able to walk into the infield via the pedestrian tunnel and drop off toys and monetary donations at a table set up close to the infield concession stand.
Martinsville Speedway staff members will be making and selling the Famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog™ and Pepsi products for $1 each, with proceeds going to the Grace Network.
Santa Claus will be making his annual appearance at the track from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The Grace Network, a local group comprised of almost 100 churches, will distribute the collected toys to families in need. The monetary donations from Saturday will be used to purchase additional toys. All of the toys will remain in the Martinsville and Henry County area.
Martinsville Speedway PR
