2012 Martinsville race with Kevin Harvick #2 and Ty Dillon #3
Photo – Getty Images

The Trucks are back this weekend at Martinsville as they compete in their second race of the season. It has been five weeks since the Trucks competed at Daytona and now, they’re back to get their season going again. When we were in Daytona, Johnny Sauter brought home the trophy after a last lap crash prevented the race from ending under green. That means, Sauter is still on top of the points standings and he will be looking to take home another win this weekend at Martinsville.

The Kroger 250 will take place on Saturday April 6, 2013 and the green-flag will wave at 1:30 PM EST. 150 laps and 131.5 miles will make up the race and those laps fifty laps may fly by, but they’re always the most action packed ones of the race. The forecast for race day calls for sunny conditions with a high temperature of 65 F and a 0% chance of rain. You can watch the race live on SPEED or listen to the radio broadcast of it on MRN.

When the Trucks were in Martinsville last April, Kevin Harvick took home the trophy and he will be in the field this weekend while he looks to have a repeat performance. Harvick is always a contender for the win when the Trucks are in Martinsville and he should be up front come race day.

Since many drivers compete in Daytona to just have a chance at winning, the field of serious championship contenders will emerge this weekend. Drivers including Ty Dillon, Jeb Burton, John Wes Townley, Ron Hornaday Jr., Timothy Peters, Joey Coulter, Ryan Blaney, James Buescher, Miguel Paludo, Darrell Wallace Jr., Brendan Gaughan, German Quiroga, Matt Crafton and Johnny Sauter are among the top drivers that will be going after the championship this season and if you ask them, they will say that the real season starts this weekend at Martinsville.

New faces in the field this weekend include Chase Elliot and Erik Jones who are making their Truck Series debuts. Kevin Harvick is the only Cup regular entered in the race, but a Nationwide Series regular (Nelson Piquet Jr.) is also entered. Johnny Sauter, Ron Hornaday Jr., and Ty Dillon are just three of the drivers who will be looking for a good run on Saturday to remain in the top portion of points standings.

Classic short-track racing will be on display this weekend at Martinsville. Hot tempers and carnage are likely two things that will be featured in the race. It takes a certain type of driver to conquer Martinsville and all of the young drivers in the field this weekend will be looking for success. The Trucks put on the best show of the weekend sometimes so this Saturday afternoon’s race is a must-see. When the Trucks take to the paperclip, action is always present and this weekend should be no different.

Event Schedule

9:00-10:00 AM EST (Friday) Truck Series Practice, not televised

10:30-11:50 AM EST (Friday) Truck Series Practice, televised on SPEED

5:00 PM EST (Friday) Truck Series Qualifying, not televised

1:30 PM EST (Saturday) The Truck Series’ Kroger 250, televised on SPEED

Next Race- North Carolina Education Lottery 200 at the Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina

Entry List via Jayski.com