Martinsville Stewart Smith Grand Marshal For Goody''s Body Pain 500

Martinsville, VA---When Stewart Smith speaks, 86,000 race fans will cheer. No, he's not a popular presidential candidate. Smith, as Grand Marshal for the Goody's Body Pain NASCAR Winston Cup race on Sunday, April 9 will bring that cheer from the fans when he gives the command "Gentlemen Start Your Engines!" to begin the 45th annual running of the classic. He is Vice President of Merchandising for Thomas & Howard of Columbia, S.C. Thomas & Howard was founded in 1897 and serves over 850 customers in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. For privately held companies in South Carolina, Thomas and Howard ranked ninth in business sales last year. Smith began work for Thomas & Howard in Florence, S.C. in 1981 as a field counselor. He was promoted to Head Buyer in 1984 and Vice President of Merchandising in 1986. He relocated to Thomas & Howard in Columbia in 1989. Born in Florence, S.C., Smith served in the National Guard and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He attends Spring Valley Baptist Church and his hobbies include golf, gardening, travel and photography. He has one son, Cliff. And some lucky fan will be the Honorary Starter for the Goody's Body Pain 500. The 2000 winner of the Goody's Body Pain/Martinsville Speedway Official Starter Sweepstakes will be waving the green flag to start the Goody's Body Pain 500. The annual contest gathers over 50,000 entries from locations across the country where Goody's Powders are sold. The Goody's Official Starter receives an all-expense paid trip to Martinsville, hotel accommodations and an Official Starter's dinner in their honor. The winner will participate in pre-race ceremonies, start the race from the flagstand, enjoy a front row seat in the Goody's suite during the race and take part in post-race Victory Lane ceremonies. Last year's winner was North Carolina resident Teresa Keen. She dropped off an entry form at her local grocery store and came out the winner. There still are excellent seats available for the Goody’s Body Pain 500 in the Clay Earles and Bill France towers for $60-$65. There also are great seats in the concrete bleacher sections for $40-$45. Tickets for the new Old Dominion Tower between turns one and two go on sale Wednesday, March 15. Bud Pole qualifying for the Goody’s Body Pain 500 is Friday, April 7 at 3 p.m. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will race in the NAPA 250 on Saturday, April 8. Tickets for the NAPA 250 are $30 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. The Craftsman Trucks will time trial on Friday, April 7 at 1:40 p.m. Tickets for Bud Pole qualifying are $15 for adults and children ages 6-12 get in free with a paying adult. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Martinsville Speedway ticket office toll free at 1-877-RACE-TIX or 540 956-3151.