A group of Virginia lawmakers is organizing a new effort aimed at protecting and promoting the state’s two NASCAR race tracks.
Members of the Virginia General Assembly recently announced the formation of a NASCAR Caucus, a bipartisan group designed to highlight the economic and cultural impact of stock car racing in Virginia and ensure the state continues supporting the facilities that host major NASCAR events.
Virginia is home to two long-standing NASCAR venues: Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway. Both tracks remain fixtures on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar and draw large crowds to the state each season.
Supporters of the caucus say the goal is to bring lawmakers together around policies that help sustain those events and the tourism activity they generate.
NASCAR’s Deep Roots in Virginia
Few states have a deeper connection to NASCAR history than Virginia.
Martinsville Speedway opened in 1947 and is the oldest track still hosting races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. The half-mile oval has remained a constant presence in the sport since NASCAR’s earliest years and continues to be one of the most recognizable short tracks in racing.
Richmond Raceway has also been a staple of the NASCAR calendar for decades. The track has hosted Cup Series races since the early years of the modern era and has frequently served as a key stop in the championship playoff format.
Together, the two venues anchor Virginia’s place in the sport and regularly bring fans from across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic region to the state.
Economic Impact of NASCAR Race Weekends
Supporters of the new caucus say the economic impact of NASCAR race weekends was a major reason behind the effort.
When NASCAR arrives in Martinsville or Richmond, thousands of fans travel to the region for race weekend, filling hotels and boosting activity for local restaurants and businesses.
Tourism leaders have long pointed to NASCAR events as some of the largest annual draws for the surrounding communities, especially in Martinsville, where the race weekend has become a major regional event.
Lawmakers involved in the caucus say having a dedicated group focused on NASCAR will help ensure the sport’s economic impact remains part of policy discussions in Richmond.
Upcoming NASCAR Races in Virginia
Both Virginia tracks remain important stops on the NASCAR schedule.
The NASCAR Cup Series is scheduled to return to Martinsville Speedway on March 29 for one of the sport’s signature short-track races. The historic venue will host another Cup Series event later in the season as part of the fall playoff schedule.
Richmond Raceway will host its next Cup Series race on August 15, continuing its role as one of NASCAR’s premier short-track events.
Lawmakers say maintaining those events in Virginia remains a priority as other regions continue competing to host major sporting events.
For many fans across the state, NASCAR races at Martinsville and Richmond are more than just sporting events. They are traditions that have helped define Virginia’s connection to stock car racing for generations.
With the creation of the new caucus, state leaders are signaling they want that connection to remain strong well into the future.
Virginia Lawmakers Create NASCAR Caucus to Support Martinsville, Richmond Tracks