Close quarters, full-contact action is something mixed martial arts star Miesha Tate does every time she steps into the octagon. Martinsville Speedway is also no stranger to close quarters, full-contact action. The two will come together when the Sprint Cup Series returns to the iconic half-mile track on Oct. 26.
UFC’s number two ranked women’s bantamweight fighter was named the honorary starter and will drop the green flag to start the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500.
“I have had the opportunity to do a lot of cool things in my life,” Tate said. “But attending my first race and dropping the green flag might be one of the coolest things I have ever done.”
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell is excited to have Tate a part of race weekend and thinks bringing the two sports together will help both fan bases grow.
“One of my favorite things about my job is introducing new people to the sport,” Campbell said. “Not only will we gain a new fan in Miesha, but her fans may take an interest as well. On the flip side, some of our fans may start watching a little more mixed martial arts.”
Tate sees the similarities in not only the fans, but the participants as well.
“I think we’re both top-tier athletes, both UFC Fighters and NASCAR drivers, Tate said. “We all work really hard to be where we’re at.
“The fans are similar in that they enjoy the excitement each sport offers and that’s why they watch and partake in them. I think that fans of NASCAR would naturally gravitate to the UFC and vice versa, if we could just bridge that gap a bit better between both worlds.”
Advance ticket prices for the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 begin at just $40.
Ticket prices increase the week of the race.
Tickets to the Goody’s® Headache Relief Shot® 500 on Oct. 26, the Kroger 200 on Oct. 25 and the Virginia Lottery Pole Day on Oct. 24 can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com
