Martinsville Speedway opened in September 1947 in Ridgeway, Virginia, making it the oldest track still on the NASCAR schedule. Built by local businessman H. Clay Earles, the track hosted its first NASCAR-sanctioned race on July 4, 1948, won by Fonty Flock, and later became the only track to host a race in every season of NASCAR’s premier series since it began in 1949, when Red Byron won the inaugural Strictly Stock event there.
Nicknamed ‘The Paperclip’ for its tight, rounded rectangular shape, Martinsville is a 0.526-mile short track with shallow 12-degree banking that rewards patience and brake control over raw speed. The track’s lower turns are paved in concrete rather than asphalt, a quirk dating back to 1976 that adds to its reputation as one of NASCAR’s toughest driving challenges.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Ridgeway, Virginia
- Opened: September 1947
- Track Length: 0.526 miles (paperclip oval)
- Banking: 12 degrees in turns
- Capacity: About 44,000
- Owner: NASCAR
- Notable Fact: Winners receive a grandfather clock trophy, a tradition since 1964
The Ride Experience
Racing at Martinsville is defined by its short, flat oval, where drivers brake hard into tight corners and jostle for position lap after lap on a track barely over half a mile around. The mix of asphalt straights and concrete-paved lower turns creates uneven grip that has challenged NASCAR drivers for decades, making Martinsville a true test of patience rather than horsepower.
The track hosts NASCAR’s national series each spring and fall, including the Cup Series’ Cook Out 400 and Xfinity 500, both of which trace their roots back to the track’s earliest seasons. A permanent lighting system added in 2017 also allows for night racing, adding to the atmosphere for fans in the stands.
A Trophy Like No Other
Since 1964, Martinsville winners have taken home a grandfather clock instead of a traditional trophy, an idea credited to founder H. Clay Earles, who wanted a prize that would end up displayed proudly in a driver’s home rather than gathering dust. Richard Petty, the track’s all-time winningest driver, holds the record for most clocks won.
The clock tradition has continued into the modern era, with manufacturing responsibilities shifting over time while the ritual of hoisting a grandfather clock in victory lane remains one of NASCAR’s most recognizable traditions.
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Martinsville Speedway FAQs
When did Martinsville Speedway open?
Martinsville Speedway opened in September 1947 in Ridgeway, Virginia, and hosted its first NASCAR-sanctioned race on July 4, 1948.
Why is Martinsville Speedway called ‘The Paperclip’?
The nickname comes from the track’s shape: a 0.526-mile oval with long straightaways and tight, rounded corners that resemble a paperclip.
Why do Martinsville winners get a grandfather clock?
Track founder H. Clay Earles started the tradition in 1964, wanting a prize substantial enough that drivers would display it at home rather than store it away.
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Photo: GalaxyTrooper / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.