Roush-Fenway Racing makes milestone start at historic Martinsville Speedway

Matt Kenseth has 462 Cup starts and 24 wins
Credit: Katy Lindamood/Skirts and Scuffs

Martinsville is a track full of history. From the early days of NASCAR to the modern era, the Paperclip has been the one constant on the schedule. For 65 years the half-mile oval has been bringing fans to their feet and drivers to tears, some in frustration and others in pure joy. In a day and age where everything is being repaved and reconfigured, Martinsville is the same as it's always been: treacherous and unforgiving. That doesn't keep drivers and fans from enjoying the action-packed racing within the close confines of those curbed corners. Martinsville is special. It always has been and always will be.

Given the rich history of Martinsville, it's only fitting that one of the most successful teams in all of racing will reach a monumental milestone this weekend. For the last 25 years Roush-Fenway Racing has been racking up wins - and the starts needed to score the wins. From the first start in 1988 with driver Mark Martin to today's stable, the organization has developed young drivers into determined men with one goal in sight - winning the Sprint Cup Series title. 

Carl Edwards has 297 Cup starts and 19 wins
Credit: Katy Lindamood/Skirts and Scuffs

Today the team celebrates their 3000th Sprint Cup Series start. Yes, 3000th. Over the years Roush has fielded Sprint Cup Series cars for 17 different drivers, including Martin, Jeff Burton, Kurt Busch, Ted Musgrave, Jamie McMurray and David Ragan.

The team boasts an impressive resume of two Sprint Cup Series titles along with 130 wins dating back to Martin's first victory at Rockingham in 1989. The 3000th start will be credited to the driver who takes the green flag first. 

Greg Biffle has 356 Cup starts for Roush with 18 wins
Credit: Katy Lindamood/Skirts and Scuffs

Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Ford, fondly recalled his first start for the team, which came in 2004 at Michigan. "Greg Biffle won the race and all five of Jack Roush's Fords finished in the top 10. I finished 10th and it was a great day. I can't tell you how neat that was. That race was 400 miles long and it could have been 4000 miles long and I wouldn't have cared. I was so pumped to be driving one of Jack's Cup cars."

So when you sit down in front of the television or climb the bleachers at the track to watch the Tums Fast Relief 500, remember you are watching history in the making - not only for Martinsville Speedway, but for one of the most successful organizations to ever compete.

That's something we can all appreciate.