* 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 127 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.
* 57 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.
* 47 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 (5.7), Denny Hamlin (6.4) and Jeff Gordon (7.0).
* Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Martinsville Speedway winner: Richard Petty (4/10/1960 – 22 years, 9 months, 8 days). Oldest NSCS Martinsville Speedway winner: Harry Gant (9/22/1991 – 51 years, 8 months, 12 days).
* Youngest NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Martinsville Speedway pole winner: Ricky Rudd (4/26/1981 – 24 years, 7 months, 14 days). Oldest NSCS Martinsville Speedway pole winner: Morgan Shepherd (04/26/1987 – 45 years, 6 months, 14 days).(NASCAR)(10-23-2012)
