Stars of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour will have the chance to race for a grandfather clock in 2020. Martinsville Speedway made the announcement Tuesday morning during a press conference on their Facebook page.

The Max Pro Window Films 200 will be held under the lights on May 8, 2020. Modifieds will compete in a 200-lap race during the spring NASCAR Cup Series weekend at the historic race track.

The trip to Martinsville, Virginia will be the first for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour since 2010, ending a nearly 10-year hiatus for the ground-pounding Modifieds at the paperclip. Bobby Santos won the last NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race held at the track in 2010.

“The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and Martinsville Speedway are a perfect match,” said Brandon Thompson, NASCAR Managing Director, Touring Series. “When you talk history and legacy – names like Evans, Cook and Bodine are synonymous with Martinsville. The Modified division and Martinsville Speedway are the cornerstones on which the sport was built. We’re excited about adding names like Coby, Bonsignore, and maybe even Preece – a new generation of Modified racing stars to the half-mile and look forward to being part of an incredible race weekend.”

As soon as the announcement was made Tuesday, fans, racers and everyone involved shared their excitement about the news.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever felt this much excitement about an upcoming season at Martinsville Speedway,” Campbell said. “From the fans to competitors and media, it’s industry-wide excitement and we are all really looking forward to it.”

North Carolina-based Maxpro Window Films, an industry leader in window film, has signed on to sponsor the race.

“Maxpro Window Films is excited to be a supporter of and partner with Martinsville Speedway and NASCAR,” Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing Elizabeth Dillon said. “Not only are NASCAR fans a natural market for Maxpro’s automotive line of window films, but a lot of our employees and management team have deep roots in the Martinsville and Henry County area and we are proud to be associated with an organization with the history and tradition of Martinsville Speedway, so it’s a good fit for Maxpro.

“The Modifieds have always been a fan favorite at Martinsville and Maxpro is thrilled to welcome them back for the Maxpro Window Films 200 and to sponsor their return. It’s always an exciting race and having it under the lights will be special. We look forward to an exciting weekend and we are thrilled to be part of it.”

Mark the date on your calendars, Modified fans. You've been asking for it, and now you've got it. The Modifieds are returning to Martinsville.

-Story by: Brandon Paul, Speed51.com Editor - Twitter: @Brandon_Paul51

-Photo credit: Speed51.com

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Returning to Martinsville in 2020