Virginia Triple Crown Tied Before Martinsville
Sep 23, 2022
He isn’t 100 percent sure, but the 2022 ValleyStar Credit Union 300 is probably the end of the line for two-time Martinsville winner Timothy Peters … and it’s a full circle circumstance for the veteran short tracker and Truck Series contender.
The No. 11 is wrapped to harken back to the Baileys’ car that saw Peters rise to prominence with his dad, Tony, and crew chief Marcus Richmond. So, for Peters to make what he believes is his final green flag with his best friend in a car that represents their entire 22-year history together.
"At the end of the day, when I look at this car, we started this journey years ago and it started right here," Peters said before qualifying. "I'm thinking this is going to be it. I made a change back in November to spend more time with my family so I've got to thank Kirk Ipock at Solid Rock Carriers, Misty and Marty Melo, Smith Davis Tire, Lawrence Heating and Hair, Fire Suppression System and everyone who heled me to get back here for one last start with R&S Race Cars."
It’s so hard to tell from practice because there are so many different agendas, with some teams mocking up, and others focusing entirely on race runs but it looks like Peters will have a chance to win a fifth Ridgeway Grandfather Clock. ‘
But Peters isn’t allowing himself to dream of a walk-off home run in his final at-bat.
"It would be cool but look at this place, 92 car, it’s awesome," Peters said. "There are 91 other competitors who might have something to say about that. Our goal is to lock ourselves into the show solidly and be there on Lap 200 because that’s the main goal of this race."
Regardless of the results on Saturday, Peters has amassed a career that features a single Cup start, two Busch Series seasons with Richard Childress Racing and numerous Truck Series championship caliber seasons that included 11 wins.