"We had just outgrown the old media center and we knew we had to do something quickly," said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. "We understand the media need good working conditions to do their jobs efficiently and we think the new and improved media center will do just that."

Early in the summer the existing media center was gutted and the addition to double the size began. It is now under roof and interior work will begin shortly.

Not only will the seating capacity of the media center double with the expansion, the size of each work space will increase by almost 25 percent.

The layout of the media center will change totally, with a new, enhanced interview stage on the first-and-second turn end of the building. The seating layout has also changed.

The old infrastructure of the building has been scrapped with new workspaces, an increased number of flat screen televisions for race viewing and scoring, new carpeting and new information bins. The audio video system will also be enhanced.

"We think the folks in the media will be greatly surprised when they come back for the TUMS QuikPak 500 in October. We think the quality of their working conditions now will rival any on the circuit," said Campbell.

Work continues on the first leg of Martinsville's summer improvements, the resurfacing of pit road. All of the old asphalt has been removed, one lane of concrete poured and the remaining area is being prepared for concrete.

Work will begin soon on the placement of a new, 100-foot tall scoreboard with three 30-foot video display screens. The video screens will be utilized for everything from scoring rundowns to instant replays. It will be visible to all seats.