Martinsville Speedway

Track Info

Location	Martinsville, Virginia
Type	Short Track (Paperclip Oval)
Length	0.526 miles (0.847 km)
Banking	12 degrees in turns, 0 degrees (flat) on straights
Surface	Asphalt (turns) and concrete (straights)
Capacity	~51,000
Opened	1947

Track Characteristics

Martinsville Speedway is the oldest track on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule and the only track that has been part of the schedule since NASCAR's inaugural season in 1948. At just 0.526 miles, its distinctive paperclip shape - tight, flat-cornered turns connected by long straightaways - produces racing unlike anything else in the sport. Cars accelerate hard down the straights before standing on the brakes at the end, creating constant contact, tempers, and bumper-to-bumper action.

The braking zones at Martinsville are among the most demanding in all of NASCAR. Drivers go from over 100 mph on the straights to around 55 mph in the corners, putting immense strain on brakes and tires. The flat turns offer very little banking to help carry speed, so drivers must rely on mechanical grip and precise braking points to navigate the tight corners.

The combination of asphalt turns and concrete straightaways creates a unique dual-surface challenge. The two surfaces provide different levels of grip and tire wear, and teams must balance their setups to handle both surfaces effectively. Martinsville races are always physical, often chippy, and tend to produce the most dramatic short-track racing on the schedule.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro, NC - approximately 60 miles south. Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) is about 65 miles north.
Nearest City	Martinsville, VA. A small city in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Series That Race Here

• NASCAR Cup Series - Two races per year (spring and fall playoff race)
• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026 NASCAR Event Info

Spring Race	STP 500
Spring Date	March 29, 2026
Fall Race	Xfinity 500 (Playoff Round of 8)
Fall Date	October 25, 2026
TV	FOX (spring) / NBC (fall)

Track Records

Qualifying Record	Jeff Gordon - 98.083 mph (2005)
Race Record	Jeff Gordon - 82.223 mph (1996)

Notable Past Races

• 1999: Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt battled nose-to-tail for the win, with Earnhardt bumping Gordon out of the way in the final laps. Gordon responded by saying, "I hope he chokes on that grandfather clock."
• 2015: Jeff Gordon's final Martinsville race saw him battle Matt Kenseth in a tense playoff showdown. Kenseth's retaliation against Joey Logano earlier in the race became one of the most controversial moments of the decade.
• 2021: Alex Bowman held off Kyle Larson in a night race finish at Martinsville, locking himself into the Championship 4.
• 2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmy Spencer had a heated exchange of bumps, reminding fans why Martinsville is called "the toughest short track in NASCAR."

Track Facts

• Winners at Martinsville receive a custom-built Ridgeway grandfather clock trophy, one of the most coveted prizes in all of NASCAR.
• Martinsville is the only track that has hosted Cup Series races in every season since NASCAR's founding in 1948.
• The track's famous hot dogs, sold at the concession stands, are legendary among fans and have become a Martinsville race day tradition.
• At 0.526 miles, Martinsville is the shortest track on the Cup Series schedule. A 500-lap race covers approximately 263 miles.
• The track was founded by H. Clay Earles, who ran it for over 50 years before selling to International Speedway Corporation in 2004.

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