Short track racing provides some of the most entertaining racing today…enter the paperclip shaped track known as Martinsville. Located in Virginia, the track has played host to NASCAR since 1949. Known for being a slower, yet faster paced track, laps click away in the blink of an eye.

For 2026, the O’Reilly and Cup Series teams arrived to contest the first official short track of the schedule. While the O’Reilly Series event put on a show including some surprises, the Cup race unfortunately left much to be desired.

NFPA 250

Winner: Justin Allgaier

#9 Lee Pulliam

The biggest (and best surprise) of the Martinsville weekend came from Late Model standout and multi-time champion Lee Pulliam. A driver who has scratched hard to make it, got the chance of a lifetime with JR Motorsports and their #9 Chevrolet. Pulliam, who was making his national touring series / “big leagues” debut did not disappoint.

Following a 12th place qualifying effort, Pulliam ran with the leaders throughout the early stages, got himself and the car more comfortable, led 36 of his 40 laps in lead late in the event, and finished 5th in his debut race.

A true racer, Pulliam was racing for all the drivers across the country who have the talent but not opportunity to get to the top rungs of NASCAR. His performance solidified the talent of not only himself, but those racing at local tracks who have not had the spotlight. As of this writing, this was Pulliam’s only planned start…however that may now change.

Photo Credit: Jayski and David Jensen/Getty Images

#26 Dean Thompson

Thompson enters his second full-time season in the NOAP Series with Sam Hunt Racing this season, with eyes on improving upon a strong rookie campaign in 2025. While the beginning of the season has seen it’s share of hiccups, the #26 Toyota has a strong showing in Martinsville.

Starting 22nd, Thompson survived the chaos of the O’Reilly Series at Martinsville, and finished 7th to collect his first top ten of 2026. Martinsville was a much needed shot in the arm for the SHR #26 team, with the previous best this season being an 11th place run in Atlanta

COOK OUT 400

Winner: Chase Elliott

#54 Ty Gibbs

For Gibbs, the search for that elusive first win continues as the young driver enter his fourth full-time season in the Cup Series.  During the 2026 season, Gibbs and his #54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota have seen a marked improvement in performance from past seasons, leaving the question of when that first trophy will be collected, not if now.

Gibbs’ performance at Martinsville continues to cement that trophy search. While Gibbs led only six laps during the event, the #54 was putting pressure on the leaders throughout the event. Following his 4th place starting spot, Gibbs would collect his fifth straight finish of 6th or better, coming home 4th.

Photo Credit: Jayski and David Jensen/Getty Images

#2 Austin Cindric

Cindric and his #2 Team Penske Ford have had a rough go of it in the opening rounds of 2026, after having high hopes for improvement following his 2025 playoff elimination. With results not matching the speed at times, Martinsville also gave a huge boost to the #2 team. Cindric started his Mustang 6th, ran within the top twenty most of the event, and came home 8th.

Cindric’s season has begun slow, with finishes of no better then 26th with two DNFs, However, the switch seems to be slowly being flipped with finishes of 5th in Darlington and 8th in Martinsville.