Photo courtesy of Graybar
Ewweb 1540 Graybarmartinsvillespdwyimgcrop595x335
Ewweb 1540 Graybarmartinsvillespdwyimgcrop595x335
Ewweb 1540 Graybarmartinsvillespdwyimgcrop595x335
Ewweb 1540 Graybarmartinsvillespdwyimgcrop595x335
Ewweb 1540 Graybarmartinsvillespdwyimgcrop595x335

Martinsville Speedway Goes LED

Oct. 25, 2016
Graybar and Eaton's Ephesus were in on the job, said to be first major motorsports facility to install LED lighting.
Eaton's Ephesus Stadium 750 luminaire with friends, including Dale Earnhardt Jr. (in cap) and Mark Eubanks, president of Eaton Lighting Division, Clay Campbell, president of Martinsville Speedway, and Bill Mansfield, Graybar senior vice president, sales.

They’ve been racing cars by daylight at the historic Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va., for almost 70 years, but owner International Speedway Corporation has decided it’s time to flip the switch. The company announced that it will commit $5 million to equip the track with LED lighting, which the company said will make Martinsville the first major motorsports facility to do so.

The lights will start to go up after this year’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 on Oct. 30 and are expected to be in place by January 2017. The installation represents the largest capital investment by ISC into Martinsville to date.

“Bringing lights to Martinsville Speedway is something that has been a priority for us,” said ISC President John Saunders. “But just like Martinsville, we wanted the lights for this project to be unique. They had to be of the highest-quality for both the competitors and the fans.”

The project, dubbed “Light Up Martinsville,” is looking for better illumination around the perimeter and infield of the track, with greater flexibility and more efficiency than traditional metal halide lights for a better fan experience at the Speedway and at home on television.

“To be able to light this track up when the sun goes down, that’s going to be something truly special,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “Our fans have told us that they want lighting. We’re pleased to provide them with another amenity which will ensure Martinsville continues to be one of the premier destinations in motorsports.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, was at Martinsville earlier today to help unveil the project. “As a driver, I always get excited about coming to Martinsville,” said Earnhardt. “Adding lights to the track will only add to its legacy.”

Graybar is supplying Eaton’s Ephesus Stadium 750 LED professional sports lights for the project. “We’re proud to be a part of this historic project,” said Bill Mansfield, Graybar Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “When you combine Graybar’s services along with the products from Eaton’s Ephesus lighting business, this project will create the best lighting for the best drivers and fans in the world. We can’t wait to ‘Light Up Martinsville.’”