The Martinsville Speedway, one of the oldest tracks in NASCAR dating back to the original 1949 eight-race season, hosts two Cup races annually and is included in the eight-round playoff. Since 1964, this track, nicknamed the "Paper Clip," has awarded winners with a unique grandfather’s watch trophy. Fred Lorenzen was the first recipient of this prize in 1964, dominating the Martinsville races by leading 980 of 1,000 laps between the two events that year.
The prestigious award was produced by Ridge Wake Clock, a brand later acquired by Howard Miller in 2004. However, recent reports suggest that the companies responsible for crafting these grandfather’s watches are on the verge of shutting down. Howard J. Miller, the current president and CEO and grandson of the company’s founder, stated the continuation of the business is "unsustainable." He cited tariffs imposed during the Trump administration as a critical factor that increased costs for essential components not producible domestically, leading specialized suppliers to cease operations.
Although Miller is entertaining potential offers, no buyer has yet been found, leaving the future of the Martinsville watch tradition uncertain. The possibility remains that new suppliers could be sourced to maintain this iconic NASCAR tradition.
Publicly, Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his reaction to the news via social media. Mike Joy, Fox’s lead NASCAR commentator, provided historical context, recalling how these clocks were first made in the early ’90s and how dependency on China-made parts and other factors have led to substantial changes in production, culminating in the closure of the Ridgeway factory in Michigan.
Fan Take: This news hits home for NASCAR fans because the grandfather’s watch is more than just a trophy—it’s a symbol of the sport’s rich history and tradition. Losing this unique reward would mark the end of an era, but it also challenges the sport to adapt and find new ways to honor its champions.
