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Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway held it's first NASCAR race on July 4, 1948. This was the same year that NASCAR was officially formed. A year later, in 1949, Martinsville hosted the sixth race in the series, which is now known as NASCAR Nextel Cup. Now in it's 58th year of operation, Martinsville Speedway has been a NASCAR-sanctioned facility for an impressive 57 of those years.
Measuring just more than half a mile, Martinsville is the shortest track on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit, but it makes up for the difference in excitement. Having been called "two drag strips with a turnaround on each end," Martinsville is no stranger to action. The track's design continuously serves up some of the sport's most exciting bump and nudge racing of the season. Despite the years of history at each turn, Richard Petty remains the track's leading winner with 15 Martinsville victories to his credit.
Much has changed since Martinsville Speedway first opened in 1947. With only 750 seats, the facility has certainly undergone many additions over the years. But, paving aside, one thing that has not changed is the overall track configuration. Martinsville Speedway is located just miles out of the city of Martinsville, Virginia. This facility is proud to be recognized as the only original NASCAR-sanctioned track still hosting Nextel Cup competitions.
The late H. Clay Earles, the speedway's founder, and current track President W. Clay Campbell have always believed in providing beautifications for the speedway, attended restroom facilities and quality concessions. Since Earles first built Martinsville Speedway, his promotion philosophy has been one in support of taking care of the fans, as well as the competitors. To this day, his wishes live on. Since Campbell accepted the position of track president in 1988, the facility has more than doubled in seating capacity. Under his leadership, 25 additional corporate suites have been added, along with a chalet for hospitality guests, high-rise grandstands and a generous amount of additional free parking. Other improvements include an overhead walkway from the grandstand to the parking area, an infield media center, brand new scoreboard, the location of all pits now being on one pit road, an infield tunnel and more.
After each race, track officials review the performance and operation of their facility in search of new areas of improvement. With the sport of NASCAR growing so rapidly, Martinsville Speedway will not be left behind. As the sport's popularity grows, the facility that is so important to Martinsville's racing community will grow with it.
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