Tommy Joe Martins impressive performance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Tommy Joe Martins impressive performance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
Tommy Joe Martins had an impressive performance in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Martins finished 15th in Friday night’s GoBowling 250 at Richmond Raceway, which marks his fourth top-15 finish in the last six NASCAR Xfinity Series races. It’s been one heck of a stretch for the driver and team, which don’t often get much television air time despite often punching above their weight.
A season that started with such promise, which turned to disappointment in Daytona, followed by hard luck in several events afterward, has turned into a career-year for the 33-year old driver.
PERFORMANCE AT RICHMOND RACEWAY
Martins’ great run came after rolling from the grid in 21st. For the first portion of the race, the driver of the No. 44 slid back to about 24th, where he would ride until a caution on lap 15.
When the race resumed, Martins charged back into the top-20 before the competition caution at lap 40. With a few laps remaining in Stage 1, Martins had worked his way to 17th-place, but contact from behind sent Martins dropping in the running order like a rock to 27th. He would rally to finish Stage 1 in 21st.
In Stage 2, Martins came alive with a car that excelled on the long run and in a race that was void of calamity, that turned out to be a perfect recipe for success. Martins would finish Stage 2 in 14th.
In the final Stage of the race, Martins would drop to 17th in the early laps, but just as was the case in Stage 2, his car came to life over the long run, and he charged back inside the top-15. When the checkered flag was given to the field, the No. 44 car was sitting solidly in 15th.
This latest impressive performance lead to Martins starting on the pole after an invert of the top-15 finishers for Saturday’s NXS Virginia is For Racing Lovers 250 at Richmond. While it isn’t an official pole earned by turning a fastest single lap in a standard qualifying session, the No. 44 machine rolling from the top spot is a huge deal for the underdog driver and team.
P1. Surreal. https://t.co/My4NJ8crCJ
— Tommy Joe Martins (@TommyJoeMartins) September 12, 2020
TOMMY JOE MARTINS
NASCAR driver Tommy Joe Martins had a very solid race on Friday evening. His No. 44 AAN Adjusters Chevrolet finished stage one in 21st and stage two in the 14th position, respectively. When the checkered flag was given to the field, the No. 44 car was sitting solidly in 15th. This impressive performance led to Martins starting on the pole after an invert of the top-15 finishers for Saturday’s NXS Virginia is For Racing Lovers 250 at Richmond.
NASCAR XFINITY SERIES
The Xfinity Series is set for a race next weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tune in this Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN and the NBC Sports App.