The 2022 season will see the historic Langley Speedway kick off its 72nd season of competitive, short-track racing.
During its seven decades of operation, Langley has served as a proving ground for many drivers that include seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Richard Petty and Jimmie Johnson, as well as current Cup Series drivers like Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin.
Langley remains a hotspot for short track racing with a busy schedule that features plenty of marquee events that include the 14th Annual Hampton Heat, the Shawn Balluzzo Memorial 100 as well as the first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race at the facility since 2019.
RELATED:Watch the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour all season on FloRacing
Local favorite Brenden Queen is looking to continue a recent string of success by tallying his third consecutive Langley track championship, but he will have to hold off plenty of talented veterans that include two-time champion Mark Wertz and six-time track champion Greg Edwards.
Below is everything to know about Langley Speedway.
[caption id="attachment_347862" align="alignnone" width="2560"] NASCAR K&N Pro Series East racing at Langley Speedway on June 23, 2012. (Jason D. Smith/Pixelcrisp for NASCAR)[/caption]
Track
Langley Speedway
Location
Hampton, Virginia
Opened
1950
Length
0.397 miles
Banking
Six degrees in turns; Two degrees on straightaways
Surface
Asphalt
Prior to Langley’s formal grand opening back in 1950, the property was known as Dude Ranch, which primarily hosted thoroughbred racing along with occasional stock car events.
Former promoter Henry Klich was responsible for revitalizing the track during its early years. Among Klich's initiatives included bringing the first Cup Series race to Langley back in 1964 before later paving the facility ahead of its first planned Cup date in May of 1968.
The Cup Series left Langley after the 1970 season, but the track has remained popular amongst fans and drivers, with Lennie Pond, Elton Sawyer and C.E. Falk III all recording multiple track titles.
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Only nine Cup Series events have taken place at Langley. David Pearson took home the most victories during that stretch with three consecutive wins while Richard Petty and Ned Jarrett each tallied two of their own.
Langley hosted the NASCAR Xfinity Series twice a year from 1982-88 for a total of 14 appearances. Tommy Ellis, who won a track championship at Langley in 1975, led all other drivers with five victories at the facility. Jack Ingram followed closely behind him with four of his own.
The 2010s saw Langley branch out to host NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and Whelen Modified Tour events. Drivers like William Byron, Todd Gilliland, Ryan Preece and others each got to add to the track’s storied history by visiting Victory Lane.
Below are the complete lists of winners across all NASCAR divisions at Langley along with the track champions since 1963.
[caption id="attachment_347753" align="alignnone" width="2560"] NASCAR K&N Pro Series East racing at Langley Speedway on June 23, 2012 (Jason D. Smith/Pixelcrisp for NASCAR)[/caption]