MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Martinsville High School’s basketball team recently captured the Virginia Group AA state basketball championship.

Now that their 13th state basketball championship is in the books, the Bulldogs will get to try their hand at racing.

The Bulldogs will serve as grand marshals for the Kroger 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway on April 1.

“We think this is a great way to shine the spotlight on Martinsville High School’s basketball program and our entire community,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “We are proud of all the young people in our community and what they have accomplished.”

Martinsville has won more state basketball championships than any other school in the Commonwealth. The first state title came in the mid-1950s.

“We are deeply honored that the Speedway and Kroger gave us this opportunity,” said Martinsville coach Troy Wells. “I know our kids are going to be thrilled to be involved with the race. I know I am.”

The Bulldogs have won three state championships under Wells. He was an assistant coach on five other state championship teams at Martinsville.

The Bulldogs fell in the state semifinals in 2005 and lost four starters off that team. Martinsville opened the past season with three straight losses, but lost only three more games and closed out the season with a 12-game winning streak. The Bulldogs defeated Robert E. Lee High School of Staunton in the state championship game earlier this month, ending an 85-game winning streak.

Wells will represent the team onstage during pre-race ceremonies. The entire team will join together for the traditional “Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Engines” command to the drivers to fire the engines.

Tickets for both the DIRECTV 500 on Sunday, April 2, and the Kroger 250, on Saturday, April 1, may be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets for both events also may be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.

The DIRECTV 500 weekend kicks off on March 31 with time trials for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and practice sessions for both the NEXTEL Cup and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series.