Tempers and exhilaration mixed with slipping hopes and fleeting thoughts of what might have been.
The scene was set for friction at the start of the main 200 lap event of the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway. The race ran the first quarter incident free but the tension began to show as cautions began to fly. The heat races for starting position had set the stage with some cars starting in less than “race-ready” shape.
The latter laps brought it out with some spins and some retaliation, justified or not. Matt Cox and Tristan McKee tangled into a turn and post checkered flag contact had Corey Heim rolled up and over the hood of Treyten Lapcevich after Lapcevich drove up a bit
*…and then there was a fight behind Victory Lane and in front of the hot dog stand. Note also – Not the same fight that happened in the garage area during the heat races.
Eighty-seven or so cars, teams and drivers showed for the shot at the clock and a few were in search of the “Triple Crown”. That crown is set from the best combined finishes from South Boston Speedway and Langley Speedway with the run at Martnsville.
From qualifying to heat races, the eighty-seven were whittled down to 40 and then to one. Caden Kvapil came into the weekend riding top finishes with a bit of a cushion as well. There were other drivers that could take the trophy but the math on the racing had to work overtime.
The race did hit overtime but it was still Kvapil’s race at the finish. He took the race win and the Triple Crown for a double payday. The second and third payday spots for the Triple Crown went to Trevor Ward and Landon Pembelton.
Top five for the race at Martinsville were Caden Kvapil, Corey Heim, Treyten Lapcevich, Lee Pulliam and Jared Fryer.
Photo Gallery – ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway – September 26, 2026
