Travel Log: Martinsville

Martinsville's population was cited at just more than 15,000 when the 2000 census numbers were revealed for the Southern Virginia city. Perfect NASCAR town.

The city that once thrived as the plug tobacco capital of the world now leans on two weekends a year to balloon its economy. Hotels are hard to come by. Fine dining doesn't define this town. But NASCAR does, and it's a nice change in tempo considering the start to the season.

NASCAR has come to Martinsville since Day 1. The track, which was a dirt half-miler at the time, was Race No. 6 on the eight-event schedule for 1949, the first organized season under the governing body's rule. Red Byron beat Lee Petty by three laps to win $1,500. Only 15 cars started.

The Virginia Commonwealth is known for a lot, particularly its role in securing a nation and later bringing the nation back together. But in this part of the region, racing rules.

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• Virginia is one of four U.S. states that declares itself a commonwealth along with Kentucky, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

• More than half of the approximate 4,000 battles during the Civil War were fought in Virginia.

• Virginia is home of the northern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a chain of the Appalachian Mountains. The mountains get their name from the blue haze the trees exude from a distance due to hydrocarbons released into the air. Galax, Va., about 75 miles east of Martinsville, is the northern gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains

• The "Virginia is for Lovers" slogan was adopted in 1969 after a creative firm initially had the idea to tailor the statement for each region of Virginia -- Virginia is for Mountain Lovers, Virginia is for Beach Lovers, etc. The firm, however, thought the slogan was too restricting, so they shortened it to its present form. It first appeared in a March 1969 issue of Modern Bride.

• Virginia is considered the "Birthplace of Presidents," as eight former leaders were born in the commonwealth: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and Woodrow Wilson.

Best Burger: Pat's Café
Best Barbecue: Dixie Pig Barbecue
Best Restaurant: Clarence's Steak & Seafood House

Admitted as a State: June 25, 1788, as 10th state
Capital: Richmond
Nickname: Old Dominion State
Population Rank: 12th
Largest City: Virginia Beach

The fairground-like atmosphere is something special at this race track. In a time of neon signs and high-rise condos surrounding circles of asphalt (or concrete), Martinsville Speedway sticks to the basics -- and succeeds at it (with both asphalt and concrete).

U.S. 220 takes the traveler directly by the track, and it's a heavy load -- traffic will be busy from all directions on race day. The key to navigating in and around the track is wrapped into a Fan Guide provided by the speedway officials.
• Martinsville Speedway

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