George Brunnhoelzl III wants to go three more laps than he did last year at Martinsville Speedway.

If he does, he will go the distance in Sunday’s 200-lap combination race that is one of the biggest of the year for NASCAR’s two Modified Tours. If he does, he believes that he has a shot at winning.

That would be a huge accomplishment because Brunnhoelzl represents the NASCAR Southern Modified Tour, whose drivers have been dominated for years by drivers from the northern Modified Tour.

He showed that he is capable of holding his own when his fourth place was by the far the best by a Southern Tour car in a combination race last month at Bristol, Tenn.

Going the distance would also help him retain or expand a 125-point lead over Andy Seuss in Southern standings with two more races following. A total of 18 Southern Tour drivers are among 40 entries and will be awarded southern points separate from the northern drivers.

It ought to be an interesting race this weekend,” Brunnhoelzl added. “The northern tour has some great drivers, but I think we have some guys who have the equipment and experience to compete for the win.”

Among those drivers is Burt Myers of Walnut Cove, who crossed the finish line first last year and then was disqualified for unapproved electrical wiring.

When the modifieds are finished, Limited Sportsman cars will compete at Martinsville for the first time.

Qualifying for both classes is scheduled Saturday. Two 25-lap qualifying races, which will determine who gets the last 10 spots in the Limited Sportsman race, will get things started on Sunday.

ON TAP AT CARAWAY

Caraway Speedway will have racing Saturday night, with two 25-lap Late Model Super Truck races headlining the card as the season winds down.

Also scheduled are events for Sportsman, Legends, Street Stock, U-Car and Pure Stock classes.

Destry Gardner leads Jimmy Wallace by 32 points in Super Truck standings. Josh Lowder is the Sportsman leader by 28 points over Dan Discepoli. Keven Wood is at the top of Legends standings by four points over Daniel Hemric and Jan Ingram. Clyde Johnson owns a 40-points lead over Bobby Grimes in Street Stock; and Dave Hammond is a whopping 76 points ahead of Kyler Owens in Pure Stock.

THIS AND THAT

The NHRA drag racing tour heads to the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, Texas. Cory McClenathan took over the Top Fuel points lead with his victory Sunday in the Carolinas Nationals. ... Michael Tucker of Thomasville wrapped up the Mini-Stock championship at Ace Speedway when he finished second last Friday. Rodney Cook was the Late Model winner as Speedy Faucette claimed the track championship. ... Kyle Grissom, son of former Trinity resident Steve Grissom, was declared the winner of Saturday’s UARA race at Dillon (S.C.) Motor Speedway when first-finishing Matt McCall was penalized for bumping Jamey Caudill from the lead in turn Four on the last lap.

gsmith@hpe.com | 888-3519