Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway stands as the oldest active track in NASCAR, located in Ridgeway, Virginia, just south of Martinsville. This historic circuit opened in 1947 and has hosted NASCAR races every year since the Cup Series began in 1949. The track's unique shape and racing style have earned it nicknames such as "The Paperclip," "Half Mile of Mayhem," and "The Augusta National of Race Tracks." Fans and drivers alike respect Martinsville for its challenging layout and rich racing history.

Track Layout and Dimensions

Martinsville measures 0.526 miles (847 meters), making it the shortest track in the NASCAR Cup Series. The oval circuit features a distinct paperclip shape with four turns and two 800-foot straightaways. The turns have 11-12 degree banking, while the straightaways remain flat with 0 degrees of banking. This configuration forces drivers to brake hard for corners after reaching high speeds on straightaways. The track surface combines asphalt on the straightaways with concrete in the turns. The concrete sections, added later in the track's development, resist wear better than asphalt under racing conditions and winter weather.

Historical Development

H. Clay Earles, Henry Lawrence, and Sam Rice built Martinsville Speedway in 1947 as a dirt track. Red Byron won the first race on September 7, 1947. The first NASCAR-sanctioned event occurred on July 4, 1948. The track underwent a major change in 1955 when workers paved the dirt surface with asphalt. The first race on the paved surface took place on October 3, 1955. In 1956, Martinsville introduced its 500-lap race format. The speedway built the first enclosed, air-conditioned press box in NASCAR in 1960. More recent improvements include the addition of lights in 2017, which enabled night racing at the venue.

Racing Events and Records

Martinsville hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races each year—one in spring and one in fall. The track also holds NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events in the fall. The ValleyStar Credit Union 300, a premier Late Model Stock Car race, attracts many drivers and fans to the speedway. Richard Petty holds the record for most wins at Martinsville with 15 victories. In 1960, Richard Petty became the youngest winner at the track, while Harry Gant set the record as the oldest winner in 1991. ESPN broadcast the first live telecast from Martinsville on September 25, 1988, showing the Goody's 500.

Unique Features and Traditions

Since 1964, winners at Martinsville receive a grandfather clock instead of a trophy, a tradition that honors the local furniture industry. The track has seating for 44,000 to 65,000 spectators, creating a close-up view of the racing action. Martinsville's famous hot dogs have become a celebrated part of the race day experience. The track's compact size creates close-quarters racing where drivers must show patience and skill to succeed. The pit road spans both straightaways due to the limited space, adding another strategic element to races at this historic venue.