Martinsville Ties Strong at South Point Racing

For three members of the Las Vegas-based South Point Racing team, racing in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway is a homecoming. Two pit crew members – Calvin Gravely and Danny Goad – hail from Martinsville, Va.; while a third team member – Chris Justice – calls Greensboro, N.C. home.

Gravely, who is in his third year with the South Point team, is a mechanic and the jackman on the pit crew. Goad works as an engine tuner and rear tire changer. And Justice, who played football at Wake Forest University from 1998-2001, serves as the tire specialist and catch can man. Justice is also a back-up jack man and tire carrier.

To encourage youths in their hometown to follow their dreams no matter how big, Gravely, Goad, Justice and driver Brendan Gaughan will visit with students at Southside Elementary School (Blairs, Va.) and Martinsville High School on Tuesday, March 27.

“I want to give something back to a community that has meant so much to me,” Gravely said. “The community has struggled because of so many job losses. I made it, but so many others didn’t. I’d give my NASCAR career back if I get the jobs back for all the people who lost them.

“I’m especially looking forward to going to my son’s school. I want to tell my son and his friends that they can become something, that they can achieve it. And I want to show them that I’m never going to forget where I came from.”