With 2025 being the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps and most NASCAR Xfinity Series races spanning 250 miles or laps in length, it only made sense to celebrate by sponsoring a race. Thus, Martinsville Speedway’s spring Xfinity race has been appropriately named the “Marine Corps 250”.

The deal was orchestrated by Marine Corps Heritage Foundation with the help of Excel Sports Management. The foundation oversees the National Museum of the Marine Corps, located in Triangle near Marine Corps Base Quantico. Martinsville is the only Virginia track that’s on the Xfinity schedule; Richmond Raceway, which is closer to the museum, was removed from the calendar for 2025.

“It’s an incredible thing to honor the men and women of one of our longstanding military branches here at Martinsville Speedway,” commented Martinsville president Clay Campbell. “The United States Marine Corps embodies toughness, resilience and fearlessness every day, inspiring us in all that we do. We hope to reflect those same values as we bring our NASCAR community together for this race weekend at our historic venue.”

The USMC was founded on November 10, 1775, as the Continental Marines. Since then, it has evolved into perhaps the tightest-knit service branch in the United States Armed Forces. The Marine Corps Heritage Foundation was created in 1979 to present the history of the branch, culminating in the opening of the National Museum in 2006.

Various celebrations backed by the Pentagon will take place throughout 2025, with the first major event being the lead branch at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. “Marine Weeks”, special outreach events for the Corps, will take place in Austin in March, Los Angeles as part of Fleet Week alongside the Navy in May, Nashville in June, Chicago in July (where NASCAR will be in town for the street race weekend), Boston in August, and Atlanta in September. Finally, Philadelphia will host the birthday celebration on November 10. Two “national-level capstone events” will also take place.

Gen. Eric Smith, the commandant of the USMC, issued the following statement on December 13 about the anniversary:

On 10 November 2025, the United States Marine Corps will celebrate our 250th birthday – a momentous occasion that honors two-and-a-half centuries of service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our Nation. Since our founding in Philadelphia in 1775, Marines have answered the call and fought bravely in every clime and place. Each generation forged warriors who have embodied our core values of honor, courage, and commitment.

For 250 years, Marines have served at the tip of the spear, standing ready when our Nation was least ready and resolute in the face of adversity – from the shores of Tripoli to the mountains of Afghanistan. This incredible legacy fortifies everyone who earns the title Marine, creating an unbreakable bond that ties us to the generations of Marines who came before us and ensuring that the ideals on which our Nation was founded will endure.

As we approach this significant anniversary, let us reflect on the extraordinary journey we share as a Corps. Our 250th birthday offers a unique opportunity to honor our veterans who paved the way, to connect deeply with our fellow Americans, and to inspire future generations to fight under the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor. Throughout 2025, we will engage in a nationwide campaign, featuring two national-level capstone events and six Marine Weeks across major cities, where we will proudly showcase the heart and soul of our Corps.

I call upon each of you – Marines, past and present – to participate in these celebrations with enthusiasm. Organize events within your commands, share stories of valor and comradeship, and let the world know what it truly means to be a Marine. Reflect on the reasons you joined, the sacrifices Marines have made, and the extraordinary bond that unites us. Together, let us celebrate not just our past, but the spirit that drives us forward.

As we stand on the brink of this historic celebration, remember that being a Marine is not just a duty – it is a calling that demands the best of us. Let us carry forward the torch of honor and commitment, illuminating the path for those who will follow. The future of our Corps shines brightly because of the legacy we build today. Together, we are not just part of a military branch. We are part of something greater than ourselves – an extraordinary journey marked by bravery, sacrifice, and unyielding loyalty.

Semper Fidelis, Marines.

With how patriotic NASCAR is, it comes with little surprise that the sport would be willing to lean into the birthday celebrations. The Army’s first NASCAR sponsorship coincidentally came in 1975 during its 200th anniversary, while the Air Force pulled out all the stops for its 50th birthday at the 1997 Daytona 500 such as Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald Fogleman presenting checkered flags to race officials and addressing the fans.

Unlike the Army car sponsorship or most military sponsorships until 2014, the naming rights to the Marine Corps 250 were not acquired using taxpayer dollars. Although the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation is close partners with the USMC, it is a nonprofit that relies on donations.

“The Marine Corps has epitomized selfless service and sacrifice for our nation for 250 years,” began Major General James W. Lukeman, the head of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. “This milestone is an opportunity for Americans to come together and honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve. We are deeply grateful for the support of our partners in ensuring this anniversary is celebrated with the recognition it so profoundly deserves.”

The Marine Corps 250, the seventh race of the 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series, is scheduled for March 29.