Motor Racing Network’s Bagley and Hayden Looking Forward to ValleyStar Credit Union 300

The Motor Racing Network’s Alex Hayden and Mike Bagley are no strangers to Martinsville Speedway, as the veteran broadcast duo has called countless NASCAR races from the Speedway in their careers. However, calling this Saturday night’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 for MRN will be a first for the two, and is something they have been looking forward to for a long time.

“This is one of the races that I’ve always wanted to announce, but I’ve never had the opportunity until now,” Bagley said. “This is the greenest of grassroots efforts and it’s an honor to be able to call this race. I can’t wait to get to Martinsville.”

“This is the Daytona 500 of Late Model racing and I’m looking forward to it,” said Hayden. “There are so many cool things about this. First and foremost, I’ve never been to this race, but I’ve always wanted to go. The fact that it’s just Martinsville. Martinsville Speedway is my favorite race track that we go to of any kind. I can’t wait for this event. It’s going to be a lot of fun and there’s so many different elements that are going to be added to ramp that up even more.”

Seeing drivers from different backgrounds, at different stages in their careers and with different goals is another thing that has Hayden excited.

“Even though I’ve never been to this race in person, I keep up with it nonstop, every year,” he said. “The beauty of it is you see these top-named drivers, whether they are top Late Model drivers from around the country, or a Timothy Peters who’s won there in a Camping World Truck, and the guys who put a racecar together just to try and make the main event. The spectrum runs from the best of the best to the guys who are just trying to figure their way around this place.”

The race will be the first under the Speedway’s new LED lights, which is something that Hayden likened to when one of Major League Baseball’s oldest and most historic stadiums got lights in 1988.

“How cool is it going to be that this race is under the lights. I’m excited to be a part of that,” Hayden said. “Nobody can take that away from anybody who is going to be in attendance, so that’s another cool thing about it.

“It’s something that is going to bring people together to see something under the lights. Something that’s never been seen before. It’s kind of like lighting up Wrigley Field, it’s going to be spectacular.”

For Bagley, seeing permanent lights at Martinsville is something he didn’t think he’d witness in his lifetime.

“I never thought I would see the day when Martinsville Speedway would be lit up at night,” Bagley said. “It’s a day that I’ve been waiting for for a long time. I can’t wait to get there, to roll onto the property, to see the race, and to see them throw the switch on those LED lights. It’s going to be an awesome weekend.”

The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 will be broadcast live on MRN.com and following MRN affiliate stations:

WAKG-FM, 103.3, Danville, VA

WZBB-FM, 99.9, Stanleytown, VA

WMVA-AM, 1450, Martinsville, VA

WHEE-AM, 1370, Martinsville, VA  

WFIR-AM, 960 & FM 107.3, Roanoke, VA

WBRG-AM, 1050 & FM 105.1, 106.7, Lynchburg, VA

WEBO-AM, 1330, Binghamton, NY

KQMG-FM, 95.3, Independence, IA

The ValleyStar Credit Union 300 is NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious Late Model Stock Car race. Race day – Saturday, September 23 – starts with three 25-lap qualifying races to set the field, followed by a 25-lap “last chance” qualifying race. Fan gates open at 2:00 p.m., followed by an autograph session on the frontstretch at 2:30. The qualifying races will start at 4 with the main feature set to begin at 8. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-RACE-TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

Martinsville Speedway PR