Miller 500 (Busch race)
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| Venue | Martinsville Speedway |
|---|---|
| Location | Ridgeway, Virginia, United States |
| Corporate sponsor | Miller Brewing Company |
| First race | 1970 |
| First NBS race | 1982 |
| Last race | 1994 1997 (Late model) |
| Distance | 157.8 miles (254.0 km) |
| Laps | 300 |
| Previous names |
Dogwood 500 (1982) Miller Time 250 (1983-1984) Miller 200 (1985) Miller Classic (1988-1991) Miller 500 (1986-1987, 1992-1994) |
| Most wins (driver) |
Sam Ard Jimmy Hensley (2) |
| Most wins (team) | Thomas Brothers Racing (2) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) |
Buick Pontiac (4) |
| Surface | Asphalt Concrete (turns) |
| Length | 0.526 mi (0.847 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
The Miller 500 was a NASCAR Busch Series held at Martinsville Speedway, in Martinsville, Virginia. It was first held as a Late Model Sportsman and Modified doubleheader in 1970, and in 1982 the Late Model Sportsman feature changed to a touring format for the original 1982 Budweiser Late Model Sportsman season, and stayed as a touring race until 1994. Following the 1994 season, both of Martinsville's race, the Miller 500 and the Advance Auto 500, were converted to Late Model only races. The March Late Model race was discontinued at the end of the 1997 season.
The race changed distances several times in its history. When first held in 1970, the Late Model Sportsman and Modified features were both 250 laps, covering 131.2 miles (211.1 km). Following the addition of local Late Models and the conversion of the Modified race into part of the NASCAR's regional touring series in 1985, the two touring races were decreased to 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km) with a 100 lap, 52.6 miles (84.7 km) Late Model feature, where it remained until the Modifieds were removed for the 1993 season, when the distance was increased to 300 laps, 157.8 miles (254.0 km) for the touring Busch Grand National cars, and 200 laps, 105.2 miles (169.3 km) for the Late Model race. When the race format became strictly Late Model only, the qualifying races and Late Model feature (25 lap heat races and last chance race) totaled 300 laps. The race was discontinued after the 1997 season, and only the fall race was held for Late Models.
The race was never 500 laps, miles, or kilometers in distance at any point in its history. The "500" originated from Martinsville's two traditional combination Late Model and/or Modified races that resulted in a 500 lap format:
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