NASCAR Martinsville’s Iconic Grandfather Clock Trophy Maker to Close This Year

Howard Miller Company — the manufacturer of the iconic grandfather clock trophy awarded to NASCAR winners at Martinsville Speedway — has announced it will cease operations by the end of 2025.

The tradition of presenting grandfather clocks at Martinsville Speedway dates back to 1964 — when Fred Lorenzen became the first recipient after winning from pole position.

Howard J. Miller, the company’s CEO and grandson of the founder, stated that imposed tariffs have dramatically increased essential component costs.

“Our business has been directly impacted by tariffs that have increased the cost of essential components unavailable domestically and driven specialty suppliers out of business, making it unsustainable for us to continue our operations,” Miller said in his statement.

Responding to the announcement, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on social media:

“Whomever makes the next version better make them exactly like the previous versions. Don’t get cute and f*** this up.”

Meanwhile, Mike Joy, NASCAR’s lead commentator on FOX, explained that after Howard Miller acquired the Ridgeway Clock brand in 2004, production shifted to using components from China — a change from the original all-American manufacturing.