Track profile: Everything to know about Richmond Raceway

Known as America’s Premier Short Track, Richmond Raceway has played host to NASCAR racing since 1953, when Lee Petty drove a Dodge to victory on what was then a half-mile dirt track located at the Richmond Fairgrounds. A lot has changed since then, and the track is now a 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval that has played host to more than 100 NASCAR Cup Series races.

Located just outside the Richmond city limits, the track is among the most popular on the NASCAR circuit due to the traditionally tight racing that takes place at the historic facility. In addition to the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series visit the facility on a regular basis. As if that wasn’t enough, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour also returned to the track in 2021 after a nearly 20-year hiatus.

Originally known as Strawberry Hill due to the farm previously located on the site, what is now known as Richmond Raceway began life as a half-mile dirt track shortly after World War II. The track’s first race was held in 1946, with legendary open-wheel racer Ted Horn the winner. While the track hosted NASCAR-sanctioned racing in the late 1940s, the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the track didn’t take place until 1953. The series returned to the facility two years later in 1955, and it has been a staple ever since.

The track has been through several redesigns, including paving the former dirt track in 1968. The track became a 0.542-mile oval, but prior to the 1988 season, it was reconfigured into the current 0.75-mile, D-shaped oval.

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour made its debut in Richmond in 1990. Driving a car owned by Curt Chase, Rick Fuller became the first Modified Tour winner in Richmond Raceway history. Legendary drivers like Ted Christopher, Mike Stefanik and Reggie Ruggiero are among the Modified Tour winners at the track.

Richmond continues to welcome the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series and Whelen Modified Tour regularly.

While Lee Petty may have won the inaugural race on the half-mile dirt oval in 1953, countless other NASCAR legends have also visited Victory Lane at the track. They include Speedy Thompson, Richard Petty, Ned Jarrett, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison, Rusty Wallace, Bill Elliott, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, just to name a few.

The track has been through several name changes. It's been called the following over the years: Richmond Fairgrounds, Rural Exposition Fairgrounds, Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds, Virginia State Fairgrounds, Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond International Raceway and, now, Richmond Raceway.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Mike Stefanik has the most Whelen Modified Tour victories at Richmond Raceway with three. He won in 1991, 1993 and 1997.

Todd Szegedy won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at Richmond Raceway in 2002 before the series' 20-year hiatus. The Tour returned to Richmond in 2021, when Ryan Preece drove to Victory Lane.

Richmond Raceway is now back as a staple on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule.