NASCAR has presented the first-ever “Fan Recognition Award” to the Martinsville Speedway for making hardcore race fans the grand marshal and honorary starter for the TUMS Fast Relief 500, held last October at the legendary Virginia oval.

Hardcore race fans gave the command to fire the engines and waved green flags from their seats to signal the start of the race. The idea was a joint effort of race sponsor TUMS and Darnell Communications, Martinsville Speedway's pr firm, and came about after spending almost one year in the planning stages.

"TUMS felt strongly about making the race fan the centerpiece of the 2009 TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway." said Darren Singer, Vice President of Marketing for TUMS. "From the overwhelmingly positive response we received from NASCAR, the drivers and their race teams, plus strong support from the motorsports press, it is clear we were right in honoring every fan as Official Starter and Grand Marshal for the 2009 TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. To win the NASCAR Fan Recognition Award during the 2010 NASCAR PR Summit is a great honor for TUMS and Martinsville Speedway, since it is a tangible result of TUMS and Martinsville's commitment to making the fans' experience great."

Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell indicated the start of the TUMS 500 was a sight he will always remember.

“It was a moving moment for me to see all of those green flags waving. I’ve been around this sport all my life and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it before,” said Campbell. “We’ve always said that fans come first at Martinsville Speedway and this was just a way we could take that another step. We are honored to be recognized by NASCAR, but this award is for the fans.  They are the ones who keep this sport rolling.”

Every hardcore race fan in attendance will again be the Official Starter and Grand Marshal when the Martinsville Speedway hosts the TUMS Fast Relief 500 on October 24, 2010.

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