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Miller 500 (Busch race)

Miller 500 (Busch race)

The Miller 500 was a NASCAR Busch Series stock car race held at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia. It was first held as a Late Model Sportsman and Modified doubleheader in 1970, and in 1982 the Late Model Sportsman feature changed to a touring format for the original 1982 Budweiser Late Model Sportsman season, and stayed as a touring race until 1994. Following the 1994 season, both of Martinsville's race, the Miller 500 and the Advance Auto 500, were converted to Late Model only races. The March Late Model race was discontinued at the end of the 1997 season.

The race changed distances several times in its history. When first held in 1970, the Late Model Sportsman and Modified features were both 250 laps, covering 131.2 miles (211.1 km). Following the addition of local Late Models and the conversion of the Modified race into part of the NASCAR's regional touring series in 1985, the two touring races were decreased to 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km) with a 100 lap, 52.6 miles (84.7 km) Late Model feature, where it remained until the Modifieds were removed for the 1993 season, when the distance was increased to 300 laps, 157.8 miles (254.0 km) for the touring Busch Grand National cars, and 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km) for the Late Model race. When the race format became strictly Late Model only, the qualifying races and Late Model feature (25 lap heat races and last chance race) totaled 300 laps. The race was discontinued after the 1997 season, and only the fall race was held for Late Models.

The race was never 500 laps, miles, or kilometers in distance at any point in its history. The "500" originated from Martinsville's two traditional combination Late Model and/or Modified races that resulted in a 500 lap format:

  • 1970-84: 250 laps, co-featured with Modifieds

  • 1985-91: 200 laps, co-featured with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, and 100 laps Late Model racing

  • 1992-94: 300 laps, and 200 laps Late Model racing

Miller 500
NASCAR Busch Series
VenueMartinsville Speedway
LocationRidgeway, Virginia, United States
Corporate sponsorMiller Brewing Company
First race1970
First NBS race1982
Last race1994
1997 (Late model)
Distance157.8 miles (254.0 km)
Laps300
Previous namesDogwood 500 (1982)
Miller Time 250 (1983-1984)
Miller 200 (1985)
Miller Classic (1988-1991)
Miller 500 (1986-1987, 1992-1994)
Most wins (driver)Sam Ard
Jimmy Hensley (2)
Most wins (team)Thomas Brothers Racing (2)
Most wins (manufacturer)Buick
Pontiac (4)
Circuit information
SurfaceAsphalt
Concrete (turns)
Length0.526 mi (0.847 km)
Turns4

Past winners

YearDateDriverTeamManufacturerRace DistanceRace TimeAverage Speed
(mph)
LapsMiles (km)
1982March 28Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile250131.25 (211.226)67.244
1983March 20Sam ArdThomas Brothers RacingOldsmobile250131.25 (211.226)2:05:4662.682
1984March 25Jack IngramJack Ingram RacingPontiac250131.5 (211.628)1:42:1677.751
1985April 6Brett BodineHendrick MotorsportsPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:43:0861.202
1986March 23Morgan ShepherdWhitaker RacingPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:30:4269.592
1987March 22Brad TeagueCharlie HendersonChevrolet200105.2 (169.302)1:36:3665.229
1988March 13Jimmy HensleySam ArdBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:29:5270.237
1989March 12Tommy EllisJ&J RacingBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:39:1263.629
1990March 11Tommy HoustonHouston RacingBuick200105.2 (169.302)1:38:1864.212
1991March 10Jimmy HensleyBeverly RacingOldsmobile200105.2 (169.302)1:32:0468.559
1992March 22Kenny WallaceRusty Wallace RacingPontiac200105.2 (169.302)1:26:1273.225
1993May 8Ward BurtonA.G. Dillard MotorsportsBuick300157.8 (253.954)2:14:5970.142
1994March 20Terry LabonteLabonte MotorsportsChevrolet300157.8 (253.954)2:12:2571.511

References

[1]
Citation Linkracing-reference.infoRacing-Reference.info - Martinsville Speedway Race Results
Sep 29, 2019, 7:55 PM
[2]
Citation Linkracing-reference.infoRacing-Reference.info - Martinsville Speedway Race Results
Sep 29, 2019, 7:55 PM
[3]
Citation Linken.wikipedia.orgThe original version of this page is from Wikipedia, you can edit the page right here on Everipedia.Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Additional terms may apply.See everipedia.org/everipedia-termsfor further details.Images/media credited individually (click the icon for details).
Sep 29, 2019, 7:55 PM