Jump to content

Martinsville Speedway

Coordinates: 36°38′02″N 79°51′04″W / 36.63389°N 79.85111°W / 36.63389; -79.85111
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Martinsville Speedway

Location340 Speedway Road
Ridgeway, Virginia
24148
Time zoneUTC−5 (UTC−4 DST)
Coordinates36°38′02″N 79°51′04″W / 36.63389°N 79.85111°W / 36.63389; -79.85111
CapacityExact figure unknown; less than 44,000
OwnerNASCAR (2019–present)
Construction cost$60,000 USD
Major eventsCurrent:
NASCAR Cup Series
Cook Out 400 (1950–present)
Xfinity 500 (1949–present)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Dude Wipes 250 (1982–1994, 2006, 2021–present)
Dead On Tools 250 (1960–1994, 2020–present)
Zerex 150 (1982–1983, 1986–1990)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 (2003–2021, 2024)
Long John Silver's 200 (1995–2019, 2022–present)
Websitemartinsvillespeedway.com
Oval
SurfaceAsphalt (straights and higher lanes of turns)
Concrete (lower lanes of turns)
Length0.526 miles (0.847 km)
Turns4
BankingTurns: 12°
Straights: 0°
Race lap record0:18.845 (United States Ross Chastain, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2022, NASCAR Cup)

Martinsville Speedway is a 0.526-mile (0.847 km) oval short track in Ridgeway, Virginia. The track has held a variety of events since its opening in 1947, primarily events sanctioned by NASCAR. Martinsville Speedway is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Clay Campbell.

Originally a dirt oval, Martinsville Speedway opened in September 1947 under the ownership of Virginia businessman Henry Clay Earles. The facility quickly formed a relationship with NASCAR, with it hosting its first Cup Series races in 1949 and half interest of the track being purchased by the France family the year after. In 1955, the track was paved with asphalt. After 21 years of constant repaves, the lower lanes of the track's corners were paved with concrete. Martinsville Speedway underwent major expansion starting in the 1990s, adding seating capacity and renovating other amenities. In 2004, the track was bought out by the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) from the Earles and France families. 15 years later, the track was bought by NASCAR after the sanctioning body purchased ISC.

Description

[edit]

Configuration

[edit]
An aerial photo of the Martinsville Speedway taken in 2011.
An overhead photo of Martinsville Speedway in 2011.

Martinsville Speedway in its current configuration is measured at 0.526 miles (0.847 km), with 12° of banking in each of the track's four turns and no banking on the track's straights.[1] The track is currently paved with both asphalt and concrete. The former is used for the straights and upper lanes of the corners while the latter is used for the lower lanes of the corners.[2][3]

Amenities

[edit]

Martinsville Speedway is located in Ridgeway, Virginia, and is served by U.S. Route 58 and U.S. Route 220.[4] As of 2019, the track has a capacity of 44,000 according to ESPN;[5] however, this number is disputed due to the additional removal of seats in 2022.[6]

Hot dogs

[edit]

Martinsville Speedway is known for selling $2 "Martinsville hot dogs" at its concession stands. The hot dogs are often sold with mustard, chili, cole slaw, and onions as toppings. The speedway started selling hot dogs sometime during the track's infancy and became a staple of the track over the course of decades.[7][8] As of 2023, the hot dogs are supplied by Jesse Jones,[9] which has been the same supplier since the track started selling hot dogs with the exception of a brief period between 2015 to 2018 when they were supplied by Valleydale Foods.[10][11]

Track history

[edit]

Early dirt years

[edit]
Refer to caption
Early stock car racing driver Red Byron (pictured in 1949) won the first race at the Martinsville Speedway in 1947. He later went on to win the track's first NASCAR Cup Series race at the venue two years later.

After attending local stock car races in the Salisbury, North Carolina, area, businessman Henry Clay Earles partnered with Sam Rice and Henry Lawrence to build a racing facility, eventually finding a 30-acre (12-hectare) plot of land in Ridgeway, Virginia. The three agreed to invest $10,000 for a total of $30,000 (adjusted for inflation, $422,459), with original plans including seating capacity for 5,000; however, after building the red clay track and a surrounding guard rail, the project had gone twice over the original budget.[12][13] Despite the lack of capacity, Earles and Rice agreed to stage the track's first race on September 7, 1947, featuring a modified program.[14] The race ran as scheduled, with Red Byron winning the event in front of a paying crowd of 6,013.[15][16] The race itself was marred by heavy dust and an influx of non-paying spectators;[17] Earles later stated in a 1967 interview that "it turned out to be the dustiest place I've ever seen. Had an H-bomb dropped there, it wouldn't have been any dustier. After the race, you couldn't recognize the people leaving. They looked like 6,013 Indians."[12]

Refer to caption
Henry Clay Earles (pictured in 1973) ran Martinsville Speedway from 1947 until 1999.

Following the track's first race, a series of renovations were completed on the venue in 1948. A new surrounding fence was constructed in March to keep out non-paying spectators.[18] The following month, a 43-acre (17-hectare) farm was bought out by the speedway to expand parking space for the venue.[19] By the track's first race of the 1948 season in July, a new concrete grandstand with a seating capacity of approximately 4,000 was completed.[20] The following year, Martinsville Speedway ran its first NASCAR Strictly Stock Series (now known as the NASCAR Cup Series) race on September 26, with Red Byron winning the event.[21][22] In 1950, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. bought out Rice and Lawrence's shares in the track,[12] having previously agreed to a business partnership with Earles in July 1947.[23]

Paving, expansion

[edit]

In the following three decades, Martinsville Speedway went through consistent expansion. In 1953, the first talks about a potential paving of the track were mentioned by Earles in the Martinsville Bulletin.[24] After stating that the option of paving was being given "serious consideration" a year later,[25] in June 1955, Earles officially announced the paving of the track alongside the additions of a concrete retaining wall and the expansion of seating capacity.[26][27] Work on the project began in July[28] and was completed in September;[29] with the expansion, seating capacity in the grandstand was increased to 8,670 according to a 1956 advertisement.[30] The construction of a new grandstand containing 7,000 seats named the East Grandstand was announced and completed the following year, expanding capacity to approximately 16,000.[31][32]

In 1960, a scaffold was erected over the West Grandstand to cover part of the grandstand.[33] Two years later, a new air-conditioned press box was constructed over the track's fourth turn.[34] In 1963, the track was slightly altered, with the track surface in the turns being widened by 2 in (5.1 cm).[35] Further additions to seating capacity were in the following two years, setting capacity to 21,000 in 1965.[36][37][38] In 1969, the track length was changed from 0.5 mi (0.80 km) to 0.526 mi (0.847 km) after NASCAR implemented a new track length measurement system.[39] The following year, three groups sought to buy the track and transform the track complex to include a 2 mi (3.2 km) speedway, with Earles setting a price of $1,000,000 (adjusted for inflation, $8,096,829) in July.[40] However, within the month, all offers for the track failed to materialize.[41] In 1972, a $25,000 beautification project was completed, which included the repaving of the track's turns.[42] Another $100,000 project was started the following year, which repaved the entire track and increased seating capacity to "just over 30,000" by 1974 with the construction of seats in the first and second turns.[43][44]

Era of mass expansion

[edit]
A photo of Martinsville Speedway's pit road during a NASCAR Cup Series race in 1985.
Martinsville Speedway in 1985.

The track was again repaved in 1976; however, the lower lanes were repaved with concrete instead of the usual asphalt, with Earles deciding on concrete because he thought it would last longer than an asphalt surface.[2] In 1979, a new $100,000, 105-seat press box over the track's first and second turns was completed.[45] On October 24, 1985, the first fatality in the track's history occurred when modified driver Richie Evans crashed in the track's third and fourth turns, dying from multiple trauma.[46][47] In 1987, a 2,000-seat tower over the first turn was completed, increasing seating capacity to 32,000.[48] On March 22 of the same year, the track also experienced its second fatality after modified driver Charlie Jarzombek sustained a stuck throttle and crashed into the first and second turns.[49]

Heading into the 1990s, expansive and frequent changes to both seating capacity and other amenities were made.[a] In 1989, numerous additions were made toward the track, including new retaining catchfences and a new 2,500-seat tower,[51][52] in the process removing the roof from the West Grandstand.[53] Additional seating was constructed over each of the following five years, with additions of 2,500,[54] 3,000,[55] 5,000,[56] 1,200,[57] and 3,000 seats being built each year, respectively.[58] In 1996, a new 7,000-seat tower named after Bill France Sr. was constructed over the third and fourth turns.[59] The following year, the Bill France Tower was expanded by 5,000 seats. In addition, pit road was expanded by six pit stalls.[60] Another tower was built on the frontstretch in 1998, with 8,000 seats being added.[61] In April 1999, the backstretch pit road was removed from the track layout, with all pit stalls being condensed onto one singular pit road.[62]

On November 16, 1999, Earles died from illness,[63] with his grandson Clay Campbell taking over control of the facility.[64] In 2000, a 5,000-seat grandstand on the first and second turns, eight suites, a new press box, were constructed.[65] Multiple renovations were made in 2001, including the construction of a new infield garage building for Cup Series teams,[66] the resurfacing of the concrete sections of the track surface, and a widened pit road.[67] The concrete portions of the track surface were resurfaced in 2002, initially causing concerns of higher than usual tire falloff[68] before being dispelled after the running of the 2002 Old Dominion 500.[69][70] A $2.5 million renovation project aimed at adding 2,000 seats and the moving of a nearby Norfolk Southern railroad for additional seating was announced in 2003, with a scheduled completion date of October of that year.[71] However, the plan was delayed,[72] with work on the railroad not starting until 2004[73] and not completed until 2005.[74] In 2004, both the concrete and asphalt portions of the track surface were repaved after parts of the concrete were dislodged in the 2004 Advance Auto Parts 500.[75] SAFER barriers were also added in 2004 around the outside perimeter of the track.[76]

ISC purchase

[edit]
Refer to caption
Night racing at Martinsville Speedway in 2024. In 2017, a permanent lighting system was installed at the track to host night racing.

In February 2004, the Bulletin reported that an unspecified buyer was seeking to purchase Martinsville Speedway.[77] Although Campbell denied interest of selling the facility the following month in The Roanoke Times,[78] on May 14, the France family-owned International Speedway Corporation (ISC) announced their purchase of Martinsville Speedway for $192 million (adjusted for inflation, $309,117,056).[79][80] In 2005, Martinsville Speedway ran its first night race, using temporary lights to host a modified race.[81][82] Three years later, a new scoreboard, media center, and additional SAFER barriers were constructed at a cost of around $2 million.[83][84] Another $3 million was spent in 2011 on a new speaker system and the widening of grandstand seats.[85][86] In 2013, Martinsville Speedway decreased its capacity by 8,000, resetting its seating capacity to 55,000.[87] A permanent lighting system for hosting night races was constructed in 2017, with the system costing approximately $5 million to install.[88][89] Two years later, seating capacity decreased further to 44,000 according to ISC archive records.[90] In the same year, control of the facility was bought out by NASCAR after the sanctioning body purchased ISC.[91] In 2022, additional seats were removed in the first and second turns and were replaced by grass.[6]

Events and other uses

[edit]

NASCAR

[edit]
See also: Cook Out 400 (Martinsville), Xfinity 500, NASCAR Xfinity Series at Martinsville, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Martinsville
Refer to caption
A NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway in 1985. Since 1949, the track has held the series annually.

Martinsville Speedway hosts two annual NASCAR weekends as of 2025, highlighted by Cup Series races currently known as the Cook Out 400 and the Xfinity 500.[92] The former was first held in 1950[93][94] and the latter was first held in 1949.[22] To date, Martinsville Speedway is the only track to hold a Cup Series race every year since the series' creation in 1949.[95] Along with its Cup Series races, the facility also hosts lower-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series support races for the Cup Series, with current races including the U.S. Marine Corps 250, the National Debt Relief 250, the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge 200, and the Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200.[92]

Filming production

[edit]

The track was used as a filming location for The Last American Hero, a 1973 film inspired by NASCAR driver and team owner Junior Johnson.[96]

Race lap records

[edit]

As of October 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Martinsville Speedway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Oval: 0.847 km (1947–present)[97]
NASCAR Cup 0:18.845[98] Ross Chastain Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2022 Xfinity 500
NASCAR Truck 0:19.911[99] Layne Riggs Ford F-150 2024 Long John Silver's 200
NASCAR Xfinity 0:20.216[100] Daniel Hemric Toyota GR Supra NASCAR 2021 Dead On Tools 250
Mazda MX-5 Cup 0:22.778[101] Jared Thomas Mazda MX-5 (ND) 2024 Martinsville Mazda MX-5 Cup round

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The extent of how many seats were added during expansion is disputed; in a 2004 report, it was found that the actual capacity was 63,000 for that year. Prior to 2004, the seating capacity number listed was inconsistent, with different sources listing disputing numbers.[50]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Page, Scott (October 31, 2024). "Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Xfinity 500". Jayski's Silly Season Site. Retrieved March 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b Waid, Steve (September 24, 1976). "Martinsville's revamped track 'better than it was'". The World-News. p. 14. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  3. ^ Borden, Bill (August 22, 2025). "The great debate: is concrete or blacktop better for racing?". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 15, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Dalpino, James (April 4, 2024). "Heading to Martinsville? What to know about traffic". WFXR. Retrieved March 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Page, Scott (January 26, 2019). "International Speedway Corporation continues to reduce track seating". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Cooper, Cara (October 23, 2022). "Martinsville Speedway debuts changes that 'ties back to the origins' of the track". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  7. ^ Martinelli, Michelle R.; Thorpe, Evan (March 26, 2019). "The most famous hot dog in NASCAR: A Martinsville staple". For The Win. USA Today. Retrieved April 9, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Stephens, Dean-Paul (September 19, 2024). "On the hunt for the elusive Martinsville hot dog". Cardinal News. Retrieved April 9, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Sturniolo, Zach (April 15, 2023). "Martinsville hot dog stand stands the test of time". NASCAR. Retrieved April 9, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry (March 18, 2015). "Iconic Jesse Jones Hot Dogs out at Martinsville Speedway, replaced by another brand". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 9, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Long, Dustin (February 27, 2018). "Hot Dog! Jesse Jones wieners back in Martinsville". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 9, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ a b c Weekes, Bill (September 20, 1967). "Martinsville Speedway Celebrating 20th Year". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 17. Retrieved March 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  13. ^ Wilson, John D. (October 8, 1972). "H. Clay Earles and His Jewel of a Track". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 1B. Retrieved March 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  14. ^ "Top Stock Car Racers To Be Here Sunday". Martinsville Bulletin. September 1, 1947. pp. 1, 7. Retrieved March 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  15. ^ "Byron Wins Feature Event At Opening Of New Speedway". Martinsville Bulletin. September 8, 1947. p. 5. Retrieved March 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  16. ^ Pearson, Harold (August 8, 1982). "A speedway that went from dust bowl to gold". Richmond Times-Dispatch. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  17. ^ "Here And There About The City". Martinsville Bulletin. Associated Press. September 9, 1947. p. 4. Retrieved April 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  18. ^ "Martinsville Race Track Being Repaired". Martinsville Bulletin. March 19, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  19. ^ "Race Track Purchases Additional Property". Martinsville Bulletin. April 16, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved April 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  20. ^ "Drivers To Race On Improved Track Sunday". Martinsville Bulletin. July 3, 1948. p. 6. Retrieved April 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  21. ^ "New Kind Of Stock Car Race Here Sept. 18". Martinsville Bulletin. August 22, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved April 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  22. ^ a b "Clyde Minter Is Fourth In Stock Car Race". Martinsville Bulletin. September 26, 1949. p. 5. Retrieved April 1, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  23. ^ Martin, Gerald (September 17, 1968). "In The Beginning". The World-News. p. 12. Retrieved April 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  24. ^ Hudson, R. D. (May 31, 1953). "Martinsville Speedway May Be Improved". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 8A. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  25. ^ Hudson, R. D. (May 31, 1954). "Track Here Needs 100 Bags Of Calcium Chloride". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 5. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  26. ^ "Martinsville Speedway Track To Be Paved Soon". Martinsville Bulletin. June 26, 1955. p. 6A. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  27. ^ Warren, Gene (July 7, 1955). "New Rival For Myers... Flock Sets Two Track Records... New Martinsville Oval". Greensboro Daily News. p. 2-7. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  28. ^ "Work Begins On Alterations At Local Speedway". Martinsville Bulletin. July 10, 1955. p. 6A. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  29. ^ "Sportsmen To Compete Sunday In First Race On Paved Track". Martinsville Bulletin. September 21, 1955. p. 6. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  30. ^ "'The Virginia 500'". Ledger-Star. May 3, 1956. p. 43. Retrieved April 2, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  31. ^ "Seating Capacity At Speedway Here To Be Greatly Increased". Martinsville Bulletin. March 20, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved April 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  32. ^ Barrier, Smith (May 16, 1956). "Virginia 500 Set For FFV -- New High In Everything". Greensboro Daily News. p. 2-4. Retrieved April 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  33. ^ "Sportsmen Races Each Sunday To Begin Following Virginia 500". Martinsville Bulletin. March 16, 1960. p. 10A. Retrieved April 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  34. ^ Warf, Bob (September 18, 1962). "Wood Ponders Over Driving In Old Dominion 500 Sunday". The World-News. p. 10. Retrieved April 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  35. ^ Lawing, Houston (September 1, 1963). "Freddie Lorenzen Starts In Pole Position Monday". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 7. Retrieved April 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  36. ^ Sigsworth, Alma (April 12, 1964). "New Star Looms On Dirt Tracks". The Roanoke Times. p. D5. Retrieved April 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  37. ^ "2,000 More Seats Ready For Big Race". Martinsville Bulletin. September 17, 1964. p. 13. Retrieved April 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  38. ^ Coughlin, Don (March 28, 1965). "Point After Point". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 14. Retrieved April 7, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  39. ^ "Track Record at Martinsville Is Higher Than Is Recorded". Winston-Salem Journal. September 23, 1969. p. 13. Retrieved April 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  40. ^ Hundley, R. B. (July 8, 1970). "3 Groups Seek To Buy Local Speedway". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 1. Retrieved April 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  41. ^ Weekes, Bill (July 23, 1970). "All in the Game". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 19. Retrieved April 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  42. ^ "Speedway Readies for Fall Slate". Martinsville Bulletin. August 9, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved April 9, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  43. ^ "Speedway 'Improving' For Fall Race Schedule". Martinsville Bulletin. July 29, 1973. p. 7C. Retrieved April 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  44. ^ Merritt, Robert (July 21, 1974). "More Delays for Superspeedway?". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. E9. Retrieved April 10, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  45. ^ Smith, Mike (March 11, 1979). "Earles Designs and Builds 100-Seat, Ultra-Modern Facility". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1D, 6D. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  46. ^ Smith, Mike (October 25, 1985). "Evans' Death Stuns Drivers". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1C, 3C. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  47. ^ King, Randy (October 25, 1985). "Modified champion Richie Evans dies in Martinsville". The Roanoke Times. pp. B4, B7. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  48. ^ "For H. Clay Earles, a dream keeps growing at Martinsville". The Roanoke Times. April 3, 1987. pp. Race-4, Race-12. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  49. ^ Smith, Mike (March 23, 1987). "Driver killed at speedway". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1A, 8A. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  50. ^ McFarling, Aaron (May 15, 2004). "Huge deal makes track look smaller". The Roanoke Times. pp. Sports-1, Sports-5. Retrieved April 13, 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  51. ^ Campbell, Clay (June 22, 1989). "Racing speeds into the future". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 4A. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  52. ^ Smith, Mike (September 20, 1989). "Speedway improvements unnoticed". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1B, 2B. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  53. ^ "Martinsville Speedway is razing the roof". Bedford Bulletin. February 22, 1989. p. 3B. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  54. ^ "Speedway adds more seating". The Franklin News-Post. June 15, 1990. p. 6A. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  55. ^ Zeller, Bob (July 10, 1991). "Big crash leaves Waltrip a little sore – but not for long". The Roanoke Times. p. B5. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  56. ^ Higgins, Tom (September 25, 1992). "Winston Cup race highlights anniversary at Martinsville". The Charlotte Observer. p. 6B. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  57. ^ Zeller, Bob (September 19, 1993). "Martinsville gearing up". The Roanoke Times. p. D13. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  58. ^ Higgins, Tom (April 5, 1994). "Speedway's facility officially dedicated today". The Charlotte Observer. p. 2B. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  59. ^ "Martinsville Speedway Prepares for Future Growth". Martinsville Bulletin. March 3, 1996. p. 100. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  60. ^ Zeller, Bob (April 13, 1997). "Interest still building in Martinsville's 50th year". The Roanoke Times. p. C9. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  61. ^ Zeller, Bob (April 12, 1998). "It's a seller's market at Martinsville". The Roanoke Times. p. C4. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  62. ^ Cardwell, Eric (April 19, 1999). "New pit road worked just fine". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1B, 3B. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  63. ^ "Speedway founder dies". Martinsville Bulletin. November 16, 1999. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  64. ^ Bogaczyk, Jack (February 12, 2000). "New man, old ways". The Roanoke Times. pp. C1, C6. Retrieved April 11, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  65. ^ Smith, Mike (February 28, 2000). "Speedway growth spurt". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  66. ^ Lawson, Steve (January 23, 2001). "Gentlemen, house your engines". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1B, 3B. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  67. ^ Lawson, Steve (April 1, 2001). "Martinsville Speedway: A work in progress". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1D, 5D. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  68. ^ "Rubber meets the road". Martinsville Bulletin. October 16, 2002. pp. 5B, 6B. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  69. ^ Poole, David (October 21, 2002). "Surface doesn't cause problems drivers feared". The Charlotte Observer. p. 4C. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  70. ^ Daski, Robert (October 21, 2002). "Martinsville Speedway passes test". The News & Advance. p. B5. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  71. ^ Root, Brian (January 31, 2003). "Track adding 2,000 seats". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  72. ^ Marks, Andy (November 30, 2003). "Speedway postpones project". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1D, 4D. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  73. ^ Sweeney, Darren (April 16, 2004). "Speedway to begin expansion". Danville Register & Bee. pp. 1A, 9A. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  74. ^ Daski, Robert (April 7, 2005). "Martinsville battles to retain both of its Nextel Cup races". The News & Advance. pp. D1, D6. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  75. ^ McFarling, Aaron (April 19, 2004). "Gordon can't work his way out of track's hole". The Roanoke Times. p. Race-2. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  76. ^ McFarling, Aaron (September 23, 2004). "Resurfacing gives race track new feel". The Roanoke Times. pp. Sports-1, Sports-3. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  77. ^ Wray, Ginny (February 26, 2004). "Buyer courts the speedway". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved April 12, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  78. ^ Long, Dustin (March 20, 2004). "Passing may be difficult". The Roanoke Times. p. Sports-6. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  79. ^ Long, Dustin (May 14, 2004). "Source: Martinsville Speedway sold". The Roanoke Times. pp. 1A, 6A. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  80. ^ Long, Dustin (May 15, 2004). "Will NASCAR leave Martinsville in the dust?". The Roanoke Times. pp. 1A, 9A. Retrieved April 13, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  81. ^ McFarling, Aaron (March 3, 2005). "Lighting up track brightens the future". The Roanoke Times. pp. Sports-1, Sports-4. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  82. ^ Buck, Johnny (September 5, 2005). "Night riders". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1B, 6B. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  83. ^ Smith, Mike (May 2, 2008). "Speedway upgrades". Martinsville Bulletin. p. 1B. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  84. ^ Buck, Johnny (October 19, 2008). "Death and taxes". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1D, 4D. Retrieved April 14, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  85. ^ Smith, Mike (January 13, 2011). "Making it better". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1B, 6B. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  86. ^ Powell, Mickey (April 1, 2011). "Speedway unveils upgrades". Martinsville Bulletin. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  87. ^ Dyer, Bill (April 5, 2013). "NASCAR sees tracks downsize". Danville Register & Bee. pp. B1, B3. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  88. ^ King, Randy (October 13, 2016). "Campbell: Speedway to finally see light". The Roanoke Times. pp. Sports-1, Sports-8. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  89. ^ Hamilton, Scott (March 3, 2017). "Let there be light". Winston-Salem Journal. pp. A1, A8. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  90. ^ Page, Scott (January 26, 2019). "International Speedway Corporation continues to reduce track seating". ESPN. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  91. ^ Long, Mark (May 22, 2019). "NASCAR buys International Speedway Corp. for $2B". The Florida Times-Union. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  92. ^ a b Long, Dustin (August 29, 2024). "NASCAR releases 2025 Cup, Xfinity, Truck schedules". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 29, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  93. ^ "Two Stock Car Races Slated For Local Speedway In May". Martinsville Bulletin. April 28, 1950. p. 7. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  94. ^ "Turner Wins Stock Car Race, Paschal Second, Minter Fourth". Martinsville Bulletin. May 22, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  95. ^ Reardon, Logan (October 31, 2024). "NASCAR at Martinsville: Schedule, watch info, picks for Xfinity 500". WRC-TV. Retrieved April 15, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  96. ^ Shaver, Jim (October 31, 1972). "Shooting Starts on Film At Martinsville Raceway". The Roanoke Times. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved April 8, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) Open access icon
  97. ^ "Martinsville - Motor Sport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  98. ^ "2022 NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500". 30 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  99. ^ "2024 NASCAR Truck Series Long John Silver´s 200". 6 April 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  100. ^ "2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dead on Tools 250". 30 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  101. ^ "2024 Virginia Is Racing For Lovers 300 - Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by Michelin - Race Official Results" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 27 October 2024. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Martinsville_Speedway&oldid=1285792542"