NASCAR has grown to become one of the most popular weekly sporting events in the country. Camping at the racetrack has long been a tradition not only for race fans, but also for the drivers and crew members. Martinsville Speedway, one of the most storied tracks in the NASCAR circuit, is nestled in the hills of southern Virginia, making it one of the most beautiful tracks for camping.
Martinsville Speedway has reserved and general admission camping spots. Calling ahead to make a reservation will ensure that you have a spot closer to the track. Showing up for a non-reserved spot will not guarantee that you will be close to the track or that your campsite will be level. Reserved spots include tickets for the racing events. No tents are allowed.
Camping spots at Martinsville come with only one reserved parking spot. If you have more than one car in your party, park it away from the camping area in the designated public parking spaces. Thankfully, parking in the non-reserved lots around the track is free and does not require a pass.
Just like any other campground, Martinsville Speedway has rules that you must follow. Most are common campground rules, but note they do not allow any bikes, ATVs or golf carts on premises. The state of Virginia also bans open containers of alcohol in public. Keep adult beverages confined to your campsite.
Outside of the NASCAR races that happen at Martinsville Speedway twice a year, the speedway hosts weekly races for local drivers. There are plenty of other things to do around Henry County, Va. The Martinsville Mustangs minor league baseball team, part of the Coastal Plain League, play a full schedule from May through August. There is also the scenic Smith River with rafting and plenty of trails to hike. The first Friday of every month is an art walk through the various shops and galleries in downtown.
Traffic leaving any major sporting event is always congested. Matrinsville is unique where it sits next to an active railroad and traffic can be tricky leaving. To help expedite the exit of more than 100,000 spectators, Martinsville officials keep cars from leaving the camping areas for two hours immediately after the race. This gives you time to break down your campsite while clearing out most of the non-camping spectators. Not having cars exiting the campgrounds during breakdown is for your safety and the safety of others. Account for this in your post-race plans.
