Rubbin's racin...

How 'bout a little history lesson about this great city of Martinsville, VA....Martinsville was founded by American Revolutionary War General Joseph Martin, whose plantation "Scuffle Hill" was located on the banks of the Smith River near the present-day southern city limits. General Martin and revolutionary patriot Patrick Henry, who lived briefly in Henry County and for whom the county is named, were good friends.
The city's chief industry for many early years was the manufacture of plug chewing tobacco. The Henry County area became known as the 'plug tobacco capitol of the world.' In the wake of the collapse of the plantation economy following the Civil War, the local economy had been left reeling. Stepping into the breach were several thriving plug firms which sold their merchandise across the nation beginning in the nineteenth century.
Martinsville is an independent city surrounded by and the county seat of Henry County, Virginia, United States. The population was 15,416 at the 2000 census. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Martinsville with Henry county for statistical purposes. Martinsville is home to the paper clip-shaped Martinsville Speedway, the shortest track in NASCAR stock car racing [0.526 miles (0.847 km)] and also one of the first paved "speedways", being built in 1947.
Good stuff...so now you know where to go when you run out of plug tobacco. There are still lots of tobacco fields I pass on the way to the track from the hotel we stay at in Greensboro, NC. I can pick you some fresh leaves, but I need to hear from you today.
Today's race grid was set according to points since qualifying was rained out for a record 9th time this season. I like the beating and banging you get here at Martinsville, but it lacks the speed since it is a mere half mile track as earlier noted. As Harry Hogge said in the legendary movie "Days of Thunder", "No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he *rubbed* you. And rubbin, son, is racin'. "
Predictions for today's race:
3). Denny Hamlin
2). Jimmie Johnson
1). Jeff Gordon
Have a great raceday!