Martinsville Speedway

The paperclip-shaped short track where legends are made.

Martinsville Speedway is a 0.526 mi oval short track in Ridgeway, Virginia, United States, a community of Martinsville, 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.

Quick Facts

Nicknames

The Paperclip

Location

4201 Greensboro Road; Ridgeway, Virginia; 24148

Capacity

Exact figure unknown; less than 44,000

Owner

NASCAR (2019–present)
International Speedway Corporation (2004–2019)
Henry Clay Earles (1947–1999)

Operator

Clay Campbell

Opened

1947

Construction cost

$60,000 USD

Layout

Oval (1947–present)

Lore & Background

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 repaving, 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.

Reader's Guide

Martinsville Speedway in its current configuration is measured at 0.526 mi, with 12° of banking in each of the track's four turns and no banking on the track's straights. 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. Martinsville Speedway is located in Ridgeway, Virginia, and is served by U.S. Route 58 and U.S. Route 220. As of 2019, the track has a capacity of 44,000 according to ESPN; however, this number is disputed due to the additional removal of seats in 2022.

Did You Know?

The track originally measured 0.5 miles, but was lengthened to 0.526 miles in 1969 after NASCAR implemented a new track length measurement system.
Martinsville Speedway is known for selling $2 'Martinsville hot dogs' with mustard, chili, cole slaw, and onions.
The first race at the track was held on September 7, 1947, with Red Byron winning in front of a paying crowd of 6,013.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Martinsville Speedway?

It is a historic short track oval located in Ridgeway, Virginia, known as "The Paperclip" due to its shape. Originally built on dirt in 1947, it was paved with asphalt in 1955 and remains one of NASCAR's oldest active venues.

Where is Martinsville Speedway located?

The facility sits in Ridgeway, Virginia, which is part of the community surrounding Martinsville. Its specific location makes it a central hub for Southern racing culture and fan gatherings.

When did Martinsville host its first NASCAR race?

While the track opened to the public in 1947, its inaugural Cup Series event took place just two years later in 1949. This early adoption helped solidify a long-standing partnership between the venue and the sport's governing body.

How has the track surface changed over time?

The oval began as a dirt course before being paved with asphalt in 1955 after years of use. Later renovations included paving the lower lanes of the corners with concrete to handle the wear from constant repaving efforts.