Photo Credit: Martinsville Speedway PR
Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell was honored as the prestigious 2015 NASCAR Buddy Shuman Award recipient at the annual NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon in Las Vegas.
The award was established in 1957 and named for racing pioneer Buddy Shuman. The Buddy Shuman Award is given annually to recognize individuals and organizations that have played vital roles in the growth of professional stock car racing. Past recipients have included Bill France Sr., Richard Petty, Ken Squier, and Rick Hendrick.
“All I can say is I am quite honored to be among the list of recipients of this award,” Campbell said. “When I was young I remember seeing the passion people like my grandfather (Martinsville Speedway Founder H. Clay Earles), Bill France Sr. and Richard Petty had for our sport. I got a lot of my passion for NASCAR from them and I just hope that I have been able to share it with others.”
Starting at a young age, Campbell could often be found at the speedway following in his grandfather’s footsteps. When he graduated high school he started working full-time at the track and was named track president in 1988.
Martinsville Speedway was founded in 1947 and is the only remaining track from NASCAR’s original schedule.
“”Nearly 70 years since its founding, Martinsville remains a cornerstone of Cup racing, an impressive feat that is largely due to Clay Campbell’s visionary leadership and relentless focus on the fan experience,” said Michael Proud, director of marketing, North America, Federal-Mogul Motorparts, the award sponsor. “We are proud to celebrate his significant contributions to our sport through this prestigious award.”
NASCAR returns to Martinsville Speedway April 1-3, 2016 for the STP 500 race weekend.
The weekend starts on Friday, April 1, with Virginia Lottery Pole Day and the Camping World Truck Series will return on April 2.
The STP 500 is on April 3. The race will mark the first short-track on the schedule and is the first race back on the east coast after the “west-coast” swing.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
