Martinsville Speedway: The Paper Clip

Martinsville Speedway was built in 1947 in the rolling hills of Ridgeway, Virginia, just south of Martinsville. The Speedway was the brain child of local H. Clay Earles who oversaw the construction to completion and, in 1947 ,thunder rolled for the first time around this unique venue. Martinsville Speedway was paved in 1955 and in 1956 the track hosted its first 500 lap event. Buck Baker, father of NASCAR great Buddy Baker won the grueling 500-lap affair.

The speedway is approximately .0526 miles around and is the shortest track on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series schedule. Martinsville Speedway is the only track that has been on the circuit since it’s induction in 1948 and is unique in the fact that the straightaways are paved with asphalt and the turns are paved with concrete. The iconic track is referred to the paper clip due to its shape. The raceway consists of two long straightaways with four narrow twelve degree turns. The competitor’s maximum acceleration out of the turns is a must, while braking going into them as equally important.

Another interesting fact about Martinsville Speedway is the way the race cars had to pit. Due to the track’s small size, two pit roads were designed to accommodate the large field of drivers. The first pit road on the front side of the track by the checkered flag had a decisive advantage over the backside. This was because cars pitting on the front half wouldn’t have to adhere to caution speeds behind the pace car while exiting the pits. The back half stalls would only be available after the pace car passed the entry way, creating a slower overall pit stop.

This advantage was rectified in 1999 when the entry to pit road was on turn three and the exit was heading into turn two. No one continuous line of pit stalls are in place. Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee is now the only track that boasts two different pit roads.

Two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races are held here each year. The first is the STP 500 in early April or in late March and the second is the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 in late October or early November. The latter of the two is the first race in the Eliminator Round of the Chase races.

Drivers that can guide their hot-rods to victory lane at the famed track receive a beautiful antique Grandfather clock as their trophy. This was started by H. Clay Earles in 1964 to emphasize the famous furniture industry in Martinsville, Virginia. Each long clock that is awarded to the drive is for keeps and is valued around ten thousand dollars.

One of the most enjoyable things about Martinsville Speedway is to attend. Fans are treated to an up close and personnel experience due to the size and layout of the racing venue. Each year over 60,000 people from all over America flock to the paper clip to immerse themselves in racing tradition.

Tickets cost around $50 for general seating and gradually increase to almost four hundred for the Cardinal Suites atop the track. As with most NASCAR races, camping and staying at or around the track is a popular selection. Martinsville Speedway boasts nine camp sites outside the track and can be purchased for as little as $100.

The tickets can be purchased in packages that include the whole race weekend including qualifying and practices as well as the Camping World Truck Series event that is held on Saturday. The smell of southern cooking hangs in the air and there is never a dull moment as racegoers enjoy tasty beverages throughout the day. Mementos are available all throughout the camping grounds as well as inside the track. Martinsville Speedway is definitely a must see for all NASCAR enthusiasts.

MARTINSVILLE SPEEDWAY’s LAST FIVE WINNERS:

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