From Moonshine to Motorsports

 Day One:

Start your day in the quiet town of Bassett, VA, home of the Bassett Furniture World Headquarters. Here, you can begin to explore the history and interconnection of moon-shining and motorsports in Martinsville - Henry County. Begin with a visit to the Bassett Historical Center. This world-class genealogical facility and museum boasts an authentic moonshine still, historical furniture manufacturing and military exhibits, and other historical memorabilia and artifacts. 

While in the Bassett area, journey to Philpott Lake and Marina. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge, Philpott Lake is a scenic wonderland. The lake covers 3,000 acres with 100 miles of shoreline. There are numerous recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. After an afternoon at the lake, enjoy relaxing on the Tasting Terrace at Hamlet Vineyards as you sip a glass of Virginia wine. (Sunday 1-5pm)

Finish the day with a short drive to nearby Stuart, VA and the Wood Brothers Racing Museum. Home to one of the most successful racing teams in NASCAR history, Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest continuously operating teams in NASCAR. Currently, the number 21 Ford Mustang is driven by the 2011 Brickyard 400 winner, Paul Menard.

In the evening, enjoy a night out on the town for dinner, drinks and a show. Concerts, open mic nights and theatrical performances are offered throughout the year at various venues throughout the community.

Day Two:

After a relaxing night in one of our area’s hotels, B&Bs, cabins or campgrounds, rev your engines and explore the motorsports industry in Martinsville - Henry County.

A must-see stop for breakfast is Clarence’s Steak & Seafood House. They offer a full breakfast menu full of southern favorites but the main attraction is the trophy room. Be sure to visit the back-dining room where Winston Cup trophies, Martinsville Speedway grandfather clocks and many other awards won by driver Philip Morris are on display. You’ll leave with a full belly and a need for speed!

Next up, head over to the Martinsville Speedway. As the shortest and most historic NASCAR track, the Martinsville Speedway has a rich history to be explored. Start off the day by stopping for a photo op at the track’s road-side historic marker before entering the Speedway.

Once in the Speedway, you can walk around the track, take photos on the famous start/finish line and check out the hot dog tallies in the garages for the world-famous Martinsville Speedway Hot Dog. Did you know crew members often have contests to see which team eats the most? 

Enjoy lunch at one of our areas dining establishments and, in the afternoon, continue exploring!

You can continue the rush of racing at Lake Sugar Tree Motorsport Park for exciting motocross action. Motocross and Stadium cross races are offered seasonally, check the VisitMartinsville.com calendar for upcoming races.

While in the area, head over to the Monogram Foods Smith River Sports Complex to unwind on walking trails, access the river for paddling and fishing or watch an exciting game. A variety of spectator sports are hosted here each month including soccer, lacrosse, ultimate Frisbee, semi-pro football and more!

Don’t let the motorsports action end. Continue revving your fun with a drive to nearby Pittsylvania and Halifax counties. The Virginia International Raceway offers the thrill of a road course while South Boston Speedway brings dirt track action to life.

We’re sure that you’ll have a blast exploring the past, present and future of motorsports in Martinsville - Henry County and the surrounding region!

More itineraries are available upon request, and you can also create a custom trip itinerary of your own! Contact the VisitMartinsville Staff at (276) 632-8006 or tourism@yesmartinsville.com.