Local Roanoke Rapids residents make a week of fellowship camping at Martinsville race

Up to fourteen family and friends make October's Martinsville Speedway's NASCAR race a week of camping and great fellowship and are known as the "Martinsville Hill Gang". A week before race weekend, the campers are packed and they head out of Roanoke Rapids about mid-day Friday with six campers in tow for the 3 hour trip.

The View from the Hill.

The group has made the trip for eight years and this year was one short, Danny Clay had just had a stroke and was not able to make the trip this year. The Clay kids stayed for the weekend, but had to make the trip back Sunday for school as Did Daniel Clay to help with care for his father for a couple days.

Tim Brown Cleans up after his turn of cooking.

Several other Roanoke Rapids residents came up just for race weekend. The meals were pre-planned and cooking duties as well split along with a few meals out on the town.

Brandon Clay make sure his son Peyton works the fire pit safely.

The group is well known at Martinsville Speedway, track president Clay Campbell and track PR Mike Smith along with the Miss Sprint Cup ladies seem to make the visit a top the hill to visit.

Jamie Rook is seen with Martinsville Speedway flag waving in the wind.

Thomas Cook gets the cooler ready for race day.

Harleigh Clay is loaded down for the trip to the track.

Daniel Clay was so thankful for AAA.