-Originally known as the Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds, Richmond International Raceway held its first race in 1946 as a half-mile dirt track.
-The first NASCAR Sprint Cup race was April 19, 1953 won by Lee Petty.
-The spring 1964 race was run on a Tuesday night under temporary lighting.
-The track name changed to Virginia State Fairgrounds in 1967.
-The track surface was changed from dirt to asphalt between races in 1968.
-The track name changed to Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in 1969.
-The track was re-measured to .542-mile for 1970.
-The track was rebuilt as a three-quarters-mile D-shaped oval following the Feb. 21, 1988 race.
-The first race under permanent lights was Sept. 7, 1991.
-The first season with both races as night races was 1999.
(NASCAR)
