� Opened in September 1947 by H. Clay Earles, Martinsville, originally a dirt track, is one of the oldest continuously-operating race tracks in the United States.
� The first NASCAR-sanctioned race at Martinsville was on July 4, 1948.
� The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was Sept. 25, 1949.
� The track was paved in 1955.
� The first 500-lap event at Martinsville was in 1956.
� Concrete corners were added atop asphalt in 1976.
� There have been 126 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races at Martinsville Speedway, one in the inaugural year and two races per year since 1950.
� Curtis Turner won the pole for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville in 1949.
� Red Byron won the first NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
� 56 drivers have won poles, led by Darrell Waltrip with eight. Jeff Gordon, with seven poles, can tie that mark this weekend.
� Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Darrell Waltrip share the consecutive pole record, each with three.
� 46 different drivers have won, led by Richard Petty’s 15.
� Jeff Gordon leads active drivers with seven wins. Jimmie Johnson has six and Denny Hamlin has four.
� 19 races have been won from the pole, the last by Denny Hamlin in October 2010.
� Petty Enterprises has won 19 races, more than any other organization. Hendrick Motorsports, with 18 wins, can tie that mark this weekend.
� Kurt Busch won the 2002 fall race from the 36th starting position, the furthest back a race winner has started.
� Three active drivers average a top-10: Jimmie Johnson (5.4), Denny Hamlin (6.4) and Jeff Gordon (6.8).
(NASCAR)(3-27-2012)
