Next Up, Martinsville

NASCAR was formed in 1948 and Martinsville Speedway ran its first NASCAR race on July 4th of that year. In 1949, Martinsville ran the sixth race in the series that eventually became the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Circuit. At slightly more than half a mile, Martinsville Speedway is the shortest track on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Circuit, but it's one of the biggest when it comes to action. It has 800-foot straights, turns banked at only 12 degrees and has been called "two drag strips with a turnaround on each end." The demanding layout consistently produces some of the wildest fender scrubbing, push and shove racing on the tour. Martinsville Speedway opened in 1947 with 750 seats and has grown continuously over the years. But, other than being paved in 1955, the track configuration has not changed since Red Byron won the inaugural event. Martinsville Speedway, located three miles south of Martinsville, Va., is the only original NASCAR-sanctioned track still running NEXTEL Cup events. Richard Petty hold the record for most wins at 15. Thought you would like to know. Last years winner was the Rainblow Warrior, due to respect of my readers I show NO pictures of that event!