A Beginner's Guide to the Martinsville Speedway

Before you hear those magic words, "Drivers start your engines," let us help you prepare for your first race day at Martinsville Speedway.

What time do I arrive? Where do I park? What can I take in? How do I dress? We can answer these questions for you, but should you need more background information, be sure to call the Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center at 1.888.PACE.4.YU or the Martinsville Speedway at 1.877.RACE.TIX. 

One of our most commonly asked questions is, what time should I arrive at the Speedway? This can be a difficult question. Depending on what pre-race activities you are interested in, that time can vary significantly. The Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 officially begins at 1:30 p.m.  Allow yourself time to park, find your seats and browse the pre-race activities and demonstrations as well as souvenir trucks beforehand. As a local NASCAR & Martinsville Speedway fan, I usually am at the track between 8 and 9 a.m. on race day. Don't worry about arriving too early because there is always lots of entertainment leading up to the race.

Fan gates officially open at 9 a.m. Be sure to stop by and see the VisitMartinsville team at our booth is the hospitality area. We will have lots of local insider information, prizes and will be taking free souvenir photos. We will be there all weekend long to help visitors to the Martinsville-Henry County community.

Martinsville Speedway offers their fans free parking in the fields adjacent to the track. Many recent updates have improved the parking areas as well as accessibility. Or if you prefer you may also choose to park along the roadside of Business 220 as many local business and homeowners open their property for race fans to park for a fee. Your choice: free parking in the fields or pay a fee to park along the roadside. Fans that choose to pay to park usually do so because it's quicker to get out and you typically avoid the traffic.

The concession stands are wonderful but if you choose to bring your own snacks and drinks, remember that coolers can be no larger than 14" X 14" X14" (wheels and telescoping handles are not permitted).

As far as dressing is concerned- have layers and dress comfortably. The average daytime high in Martinsville in late October ranges from the mid 60's to lower 70's.

Also, new for the Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500, is the Party Plaza! The plaza will feature a comfortable pre-race hangout, complete with a performance by legendary guitarist Gary Hoey and question and answer sessions with Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Call the Martinsville Speedway for more information and to order your tickets to the Party Plaza.

If you have visited the track or ordered your tickets online already, you should have received the official Martinsville speedway Fan Guide which covers many topics of interest to help your race day experience flow more smoothly. Information such as cooler/bag limitations, parking information, handicap accessibility, facilities map, etc. is included.

Even though this is your first time attending a race at the Martinsville Speedway, I'm sure you have heard of the Famous Martinsville Hot Dog! No trip to the speedway is complete until you've had one, or two, or three...  Did you know that many of the NASCAR drivers and team members keep a running tally on the beams in the pit area of how many hotdogs they've eaten over the weekend? Last year's record was 36!

If you are close enough to the area you may stop by the Speedway to purchase your tickets if you haven't already done so. The Martinsville Speedway has already begun their extended hours to serve you. Not only is the ticket box open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as normal, it's also open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.