After running around the two mile track at Auto Club Speedway, the Monster Energy Cup Series heads back east and the tiny half mile track at Martinsville Speedway for the STP 500.

Rain and snow postponed the Camping World Truck Series race after 23 laps and caused NASCAR to cancel Monster Energy Cup Series qualifying; as a result, the starting order for the STP 500 on March 25 has been set by car owner points.

Even though he has won three of the five races run so far, Kevin Harvick will not be sitting on the pole for the race; that job belongs to last week’s race winner Martin Truex Jr. This is Truex’s third pole in a row. Kyle Busch will start alongside Truex on the front row.

The starting lineup for the STP 500:
Martin Truex Jr
Kyle Busch
Joey Logano
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Denny Hamlin
Kyle Larson
Kevin Harvick
Clint Bowyer
Aric Almirola
Kurt Busch
Austin Dillon
Erik Jones
Ryan Newman
Paul Menard
Alex Bowman
Ricky Stenhouse Jr – moved to the back of the field in a backup car
Jimmie Johnson
Darrell Wallace Jr
William Byron
Chase Elliott
Chris Buescher
Daniel Suarez
Michael McDowell – moved to the back of the field for unapproved adjustments
AJ Allmendinger
Jamie McMurray
Trevor Bayne
David Ragan
Kasey Kahne
Harrison Rhodes
Matt DiBenedetto
Ty Dillon
Ross Chastain
Gray Gaulding – moved to the back of the field for inspection issues
Cole Whtt
Landon Cassill
D.J. Kennington
J.J. Yeley

The snow has gone and the track is clear and ready for racing in the first short track race of the season. Martinsville Speedway and the Martinsville area received six inches of snow on Saturday night; as a result, NASCAR moved the races to Monday.

On a cold Monday afternoon the drivers are concerned about getting their cars properly warmed up before they start the beating and banging that is short track racing.

NASCAR has called for a competition caution on lap 50.

Stages one and two of the race are 130 laps each with stage three lasting 240 laps for a total of 500 laps around the half mile track that resembles a paperclip.

Twenty-four hours after the original start time, Martin Truex Jr brings the field down for the green flag start of the STP 500 and edges out Kyle Busch to take the lead of the race.

Lap four Kyle Busch is on leader Martin Truex Jr’s bumper.

Lap five, Kyle Busch passes martin Truex Jr for the lead with Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five.

Lap seven, Kyle Busch has pulled out to a lead of over half a second on Martin Truex Jr.

Lap nine with Kyle Busch in the lead, Denny Hamlin passes Joey Logano for third with Brad Keselowski in fifth.

The drivers are dropping some 50 miles per hour when they head into the corners.

Lap 14 Kyle Busch has a lead of less than half a second on Martin Truex jr with Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Ryan Blaney rounding out the top five. All 38 cars are still on the lead lap.

Lap 18 Kyle Busch holds on to his lead over Martin Truex Jr.

Lap 19 Denny Hamlin passes Martin Truex Jr for second place.

Kyle Larson is reporting a very tight condition and has fallen to 13th.

Lap 27 Denny Hamlin has passed Kyle Busch to take the lead of the race; Martin Truex jr, Joey Logano, and Brad Keselowski round out the top five.

Lap 30 Joey Logano passes Martin Truex Jr for third. Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Kyle Busch.

Lap 34, leader deny Hamlin encounters lapped traffic. Brad Keselowski passes Martin Truex Jr for fourth place.

Lap 38 Denny Hamlin has a lead of less than half a second on Kyle Busch with Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Martin Truex Jr rounding out the top five.

Austin Dillon’s team is reporting some radio issues.

Only 40 laps into the race and the brake rotors are already glowing bright orange and red.

Lap 44 Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Kyle Busch with Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Martin Truex Jr rounding out the top five.

Lap 48 Brad Keselowski passes Joey Logano for third with Denny Hamlin in the lead and Kyle Busch in second. There are 32 cars on the lead lap.

NASCAR throws the competition caution.

The drivers bring their cars down pit road for adjustments and service.

Denny Hamlin wins the race off of pit road. Even having to dodge traffic, Kyle Busch comes out second.

Aric Almirola, Jamie McMurray, and Bubba Wallace were all caught speeding on pit road. Aric Almirola and Kevin Harvick make contact on pit road.

Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 57 and holds on to the lead over Kyle Busch.

Lap 59 the top five are Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, and Martin Truex Jr.

Lap 60 Martin Truex Jr passes Ryan Blaney for fourth.

Austin Dillon had to make two trips down pit road to replace his radio and is now in 35th place.

Kevin Harvick is reporting smoke in the car…and a tire rub.

Lap 65 Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Kyle Busch with Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr, and Ryan Blaney rounding out the top five.

Bubba Wallace and Michael McDowell make contact on the track but the track stays green. Wallace brings his car down pit road with a flat tire.

Lap 69 Denny Hamlin has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Busch.

Lap 74 Denny Hamlin has a half second lead on Kyle Busch with Brad Keselowski in third, Martin Truex Jr in fourth, and Ryan Blaney fifth.

Cars are tightly packed around the track.

Lap 87 Brad Keselowski passes Kyle Busch for second. Denny Hamlin has a lead of over a second. Ryan Blaney is in fourth with Martin Truex Jr in fifth.

Lap 90 Brad Keselowski has closed the gap to leader Denny Hamlin to less than a second and is slowly closing the gap.

Lap 94 Clint Bowyer passes Martin Truex Jr for fifth.

Lap 96 Brad Keselowski has closed the gap to Denny Halin to less than half a second.

Lap 98 the top five are Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer.

There are 29 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 101 Denny Hamlin has a lead of less than half a second on Brad Keselowski with Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer rounding out the top five.

Lap 110 Denny Hamlin’s lead is down to only a quarter of a second on Brad Keselowski with Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer rounding out the top five. There are 26 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 114 Brad Keselowski is riding Denny Hamlin’s bumper.

Landon Cassill has taken over driving duties of the 00 car after the team parted ways with Jeffrey Earnhardt last week.

Lap 117 Denny Hamlin is in the lead with Brad Keselowski in second; Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer round out the top five.

Lap 119 Brad Keselowski challenged Denny Hamlin for the lead but got hung up by slower traffic.

Lap 124 Denny Hamlin holds on to the lead with Brad Keselowski in second with 25 cars on the lead lap.

Denny Hamlin wins stage one.

The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Denny Hamlin
Brad Keselowski
Ryan Blaney
Kyle Busch
Clint Bowyer
Kevin Harvick
AJ Allmendinger
Kurth Busch
Joey Logano
Jimmie Johnson

A crewmember on Chris Buescher’s team was injured during a pit stop earlier in the race. Pit road remained closed while the ambulance got out to take the crewmember to the hospital.

Bubba Wallace took his car to the garage for a mechanical repair – sway bar.

Austin Dillon pitted for more radio issues before pit road was open.

Ryan Blaney won the race off of pit road.

Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two on lap 143 but Denny Hamlin passes Blaney to retake the lead of the race.

Lap 145 Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin battle for the lead of the race with Ryan Blaney taking the lead on lap 147.

Kasey Kahne and Austin Dillon were caught speeding on pit road. Chris Buescher had too many men over the pit wall.

Jamie McMurray was the “lucky dog”.

Lap 150 the top five are: Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski, Dyle Busch, and Clint Bowyer.

Lap 157 Ryan Blaney has a lead of over a second on Denny Hamlin.

One of the air guns in Daniel Suarez’s team broke in half during their last pit stop.

Lap 159 Ryan Blaney’s lead is now over a second and a half. Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch pass Denny Hamlin.

Lap 161 the top five are Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Clint Bowyer.

Lap 162 Clint Bowyer passes Deny Hamlin for fourth.

Lap 166 Brad Keselowski has closed the gap to leader Ryan Blaney to less than a second and a half.

Martin Truex Jr’s car is losing positions on the track; he is now in ninth place.

Lap 170 Ryan Blaney’s lead over Brad Keslowski is now just over a second with Kyle Busch in third, Clint Bowyer in fourth, and Denny Hamlin in fifth.

Lap 177 Ryan Blaney has a lead of just over a second on Brad Keselowski. AJ Allmendinger passes Martin Truex Jr for ninth.

Lap 181 Ryan Blaney’s lead is now under a second on Brad Keselowski with Clint Bowyer in third, Kyle Busch in fourth, and Denny Hamlin in fifth. There are 24 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 187 Ryan Blaney’s lead is back up to nearly a second and a half with Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five.

Lap 193, Ryan Blaney continues to lead the race with a lead of over a second on Brad Keselowski; with Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five.

Lap 196 Clint Bowyer passes Brad Keselowski for second; two seconds behind leader Ryan Blaney.

After the team could not hear Gray Galulding on the radio, the team requested that NASCAR black flag their driver.

Lap 207, Ryan Blaney has a lead of nearly two seconds on Clint Bowyer with Brad Keselowski in third, Kyle Busch in fourth, and Denny Hamlin in fifth.

Jimmie Johnson passes Martin Truex Jr to take over tenth place.

Lap 212 Clint Bowyer has closed the gap between him and lead Ryan Blaney down to second and a half.

Lap 216 Ryan Blaney has a lead of just over a second on Clint Bowyer with Kyle Busch in third, Brad Keselowski in fourth, and Denny Hamlin in fifth

Lap 220 Ryan Blaney’s lead is down to less a second on Clint Bowyer with 20 cars on the lead lap.

Landon Cassill has taken his car to the garage and is out of the race.

Lap 231 Ryan Blaney’s lead is now down to half a second on Clint Bowyer with only 18 cars on the lead lap.

With 25 laps remaining in stage two, Ryan Blaney’s lead is less than half a second on Clint Bowyer with Kyle Busch in third, Brad Keselowski in fourth and Denny Hamlin in fifth.

Lap 240 Ryan Blaney passes Daniel Suarez, making only 17 cars on the lead lap. Blaney’s lead is down to only a quarter of a second on Clint Bowyer.

Lap 249, there are only 16 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 250, Kenny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski battle for fourth place.

Lap 251 Ryan Blaney has a half second lead on Clint Bowyer with Kyle Busch, Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five.

Chase Elliott just went a lap down for 15 cars on the lead lap.

With over 250 laps completed in the race, there have been no caution flags for on track incidents.

Ryan Blaney wins stage two.

The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Ryan Blaney
Clint Bowyer
Kyle Busch
Brad Keselowski
Denny Hamlin
Kevin Harvick
Kurt Busch
AJ Allmendinger
Joey Logano
Jimmie Johnson

Ryan Blaney wins the race off of pit road with Kyle Busch coming out in second.

Austin Dillon was caught speeding on pit road.

Ryan Blaney brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three on lap 272 and holds on to the lead after a challenge from Kyle Busch.

Lap 274 the top five are Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick.

Matt DiBenedetto’s car is smoking with a flat tire after making contact with Chase Elliott.

Clint Bowyer passes Kyle Busch to take over second place. Ryan Blaney has a lead of over half a second.

Pit reports reveal that Clint Bowyer’s team did not get the fuel cell packed on their pit stop. With 218 laps remaining in the race, the drivers cannot make it to the end of the race without making a pit stop.

Lap 284, Clint Bowyer has caught leader Ryan Blaney.

Lap 286 Clint Bowyer passes Ryan Blaney to take over the lead of the race.

Kyle Busch is on Ryan Blaney’s bumper, challenging for second.

Lap 289, Kyle Busch passes Ryan Blaney for second. Deny Hamlin passes Blaney to take over third.

Lap 290 Clint Bowyer leads the race by over a second with Kyle Busch in second, Denny Hamlin in third, Ryan Blaney in fourth, and Kevin Harvick in fifth.

Lap 292 Kevin Harvick passes Ryan Blaney for fourth.

Lap 300 Clint Bowyer has a lead of over a second on Kyle Busch.

Lap 311 Clint Bowyer has a lead of nearly two seconds on Kyle Busch with Denny Hamlin in third, Kevin Harvick in fourth, and Ryan Blaney in fifth.

Lap 316 Clint Bowyer has a lead of over a second and a half over Kyle Busch with Deny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Ryan Blaney rounding out the top five.

Lap 322 Clint Bowyer’s lead is down to a second over Kyle Busch.

Aric Almirola passes Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano for tenth place.

Lap 330, the top five are: Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick.

Lap 334 Kyle Busch is over a second behind Clint Bowyer.

Lap 339, there are 15 cars on the lead lap.

Lap 342, Clint Bowyer continues to lead Kyle Busch by a second with Denny Hamlin, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top five.

Lap 351, Clint Bowyer holds on to his one second lead over Kyle Busch.

Lap 354, AJ Allmendinger passes Kevin Harvick to take over fifth place.

Lap 356, Clint Bowyer’s lead is down to less than a second over Kyle Busch.

Lap 358, Clint Bowyer has increased his lead back to over a second on Kyle Busch.

Lap 362, Kyle Busch has pulled to within half a second of leader Clint Bowyer; with Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top five.

Lap 372, Clint Bowyer has a half second lead on Kyle Busch with Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top five.

With 125 laps remaining in the race, Clint Bowyer is out in front of the field but will have to make his pit stop soon after the crew did not get the fuel cell full on his last pit stop.

Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr make contact battling for position but the track stays green.

The caution flag comes out on lap 383 when Jamie McMurray spins out and hits the wall after making contact with Austin Dillon.

The caution flag is a big break for race leader Clint Bowyer who had been told that he would have had to pit within 10 laps.

The only car one lap down, Chase Elliott is the “lucky dog”.

Clint Bowyer wins the race off of pit road.

Aric Almirola is caught speeding on pit road.

Denny Hamlin made a second trip down pit road for repairs to his car after making contact on the track.

Clint Bowyer brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 392 and holds on to the lead over Kyle Busch.

Lap 393, Clint Bowyer leads the race with Kyle Busch in second; Martin Truex Jr, Ryan Blaney, and Kurt Busch round out the top five.

Lap 398, Clint Bowyer continues to dominate the race with Kyle Busch in second; Martin Truex Jr, Ryan Blaney, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap 400 Ryan Blaney passes Martin Truex Jr to take over third.

Lap 402, the top five are: Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, and Kevin Harvick.

Lap 410, Clint Bowyer has a lead of over half a second on Kyle Busch; Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Lap 417 Clint Bowyer has a lead of nearly a second on Kyle Busch; Ryan Blaney is in third, Martin Truex Jr is in fourth, and Kevin Harvick is in fifth.

Lap 425, leading over 100 laps, Clint Bowyer continues to hold off Kyle Busch by nearly a second.

Fox broadcasters report that it has been 190 races since Clint Bowyer last won a race.

Lap 430, Clint Bowyer’s lead is now over a second on Kyle Busch with Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, and Kevin Harvick rounding out the top five.

Lap 435 Clint Bowyer continues to dominate the race with a lead of over a second on Kyle Busch.

Driver of the number 88, Alex Bowman, has not driven on the track at Martinsville since 2015; on lap 439 he is running in ninth place.

Lap 443 Clint Bowyer holds on to a one second lead over Kyle Busch.

Lap 447, Clint Bowyer continues to lead the race by a second over Kyle Busch while the broadcast team discuss the snow and snowmen.

Lap 455 Trevor Bayne hits the wall and makes it to pit road without a caution flag.

With only 38 laps remaining in the race, Clint Bowyer continues his dominating ways with a one second lead on Kyle Busch.

Lap 468 Clint Bowyer continues to lead the race; Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, martin Truex Jr, and Kevin Harvick round out the top five.

Only 25 laps to go, Clint Bowyer maintains his one second lead on Kyle Busch.

Twenty two laps to go and the top five remains the same as it has for the past several laps – Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr, and Kevin Harvick.

Seventeen to go sower traffic running side by side slows Clint Bowyer up allowing Kyle Busch to close up just a bit on the leader.

AJ Allmendinger and Brad Keselowski make contact but the track stays green.

Ten to go, Clint Bowyer holds on to his one second lead on Kyle Busch.

Jamie McMurray has a smoking tire but he makes it to pit road and the track stays green.

Harrison Rhodes got into the wall but there is no caution flag.

Five to go, Clint Bowyer continues to dominate the race.

Clint Bowyer takes the white flag.

Clint Bowyer breaks his 190 race losing streak and earns his first Martinsville win and Grandfather clock. He started doing his burnout even before he got the car slowed down.

He led more laps in today’s race then he has in his last 159 races combined! A very excited Clint Bowyer hugs everybody in sight on his way to collect the checkered flag. Bowyer goes to the cach fence and asks if anyone has a beer.

The unofficial results of the STP 500:
Clint Bowyer
Kyle Busch
Ryan Blaney
Martin Truex Jr
Kevin Harvick
Joey Logano
Alex Bowman
AJ Allmendinger
Chase Elliott
Brad Keselowski
Kurt Busch
Denny Hamlin
Paul Menard
Aric Almirola
Jimmie Johnson
Kyle Larson
Erik Jones
Daniel Suarez
Ryan Newman
William Byron
Michael McDowell
Ty Dillon
Chris Buescher
Kasey Kahne
David RaganJam
ie McMurray
Cole Whitt
DJ Kennington
Ross Chastain
Austin Dillon
J.J. Yeley
Matt DiBenedetto
Trevor Bayne
Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr
Harrison Rhodes
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Gray Gaulding
Landon Cassill

NASCAR returns in two weeks after taking a week off for the Easter holiday.