GEARING UP FOR MARTINSVILLE

We began our Nascar season with a trip to Martinsville this spring.  And yes, it snowed the morning of the Cup race!  We drove to the track from our campground with snow covering the side of the interstate!  But we were prepared with layers upon layers of warm clothes, and despite the raging winds that had our bleacher seats humming, we enjoyed a great day of racing!

The track at Martinsville is one of my favorites.  It is referred to as "The Paperclip" because of its shape - long straightaways and sharp corners.  The difference with this track from the others we go to is that this one is flat.  No high banked corners to shoot out of.  Just like a regular road, only with really sharp corners.  As a result the cars do not race at as high a rate of speed as they do at other tracks.  But there is a lot of strategy and braking and bumping, so there is a lot of action!  Here is how the track is documented at the Hall of Fame --

 

I really love going to this track.  I'm not sure exactly why, but this will be our third trip in two years and I can't wait! 

 

We will take the RV, but we do not camp at the track.  As a general rule we don't camp at a track until we have the chance to check it out in person.  We stay at a campground in Natural Bridge, Virginia, and drive the 1+ hours to the track on race day.  It is all interstate driving and it is easy to do.  We park at the track grass lots - they are free - and there is always plenty of room.  It is very hilly so I would not recommend doing this if you have any issues with footing or walking on uneven surfaces.  There are lots of parking areas along the main highway where you can pay to park if you prefer.  But there really is no reason for us to do that.

 

Now, about the area.  On our drive in to the track we passed one abandoned commercial building after another.  It was apparently once a booming area, but no longer.  Evidently the main industry was once a Hanes factory, but those jobs went to China.  And the rest is history.  It appears to me that if Martinsville ever loses the Nascar races there would be no more Martinsville.  So even more reason for America-loving Nascar fans to do their patriotic duty and go to the race at Martinsville!

 

And for that very reason I would not recommend planning to camp at the track until you check it out for yourself.  We were actually advised by a Nascar insider not to camp anywhere in Martinsville except at the track where they provide security.  Apparently the town is not the safest place to be after dark. I have no first-hand knowledge, but I pass this on to you merely as a matter of information. 

 

This track is quaint.  This race is old-school.  And this Nascar Wife is going!

 

 

(We'll talk about those Martinsville hot dogs next time!)