Before engines roar at Martinsville Speedway on October 27, fans will hear the powerful sounds of world-renowned guitarist Gary Hoey, who has been acclaimed as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time.
Hoey will perform in Martinsville Speedway’s new Party Plaza on race morning, and then lay down some of the most iconic guitar riffs of all time during driver introductions for the Goody’s™ Headache Relief Shot™ 500 Powered by Kroger.
Hoey will be the “blues” portion of the “Brews, Blues and Barbecue” theme in the Party Plaza race morning.
“My latest record (“Deja Blues”) is a blues-rock album. It has a classic blues rock feel to it,” Hoey said recently. “We’ll do some classic rock in the Party Plaza, we’ll do some blues classic stuff from ‘Cross Road Blues’ to ‘Stormy Monday’.”
Hoey, who has 18 albums to his credit and a No. 5 Billboard Rock hit with “Hocus Pocus” will be on stage for driver introductions, playing a different, famous guitar riff for each of the top-12 Chase drivers introduced.
“I’m absolutely excited about the whole day. It’s going to be a great day, the new plaza and pre-race. I’m just blown away,” said Hoey.
Hoey has toured and traded licks with the likes of Jeff Beck, Brian May of Queen, Ted Nugent, Joe Satriani, The Doobie Brothers, Lita Ford, Foreigner, Styx, Steve Vai, Peter Frampton, and Dick Dale.
He is no stranger to racing either. He’s been to the Daytona 500 along with a couple of other NASCAR venues. Racing, Hoey says, is much like the music industry.
“They both have a similar kind of sacrifice. You have to have the passion for it and be able to get knocked down and then get back up again.”
The Party Plaza is a new addition to Martinsville Speedway’s race-morning lineup and in addition to Hoey, will feature a DJ and children’s activities, including a bounce house and a rock-climbing wall.
Four NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., will make appearances in the Party Plaza. The drivers will appear at different times and each will participate in an emceed question and answer session during their appearance.
There will be food vendors in the Party Plaza selling assorted food items. Pepsi products will be available for purchase. There will also be a beer garden with a variety of beer for sale.
Admission to the Party Plaza, which also includes a Pre-Race Track Pass to walk along the front-stretch of Martinsville Speedway, is just $49.
Martinsville Speedway PR
