One of the most historic tracks on the circuit, Martinsville Speedway has played host to some of the most exciting and memorable races in NASCAR history.  Nestled in the hillside of southwestern Virginia, the legendary short track has been a favorite of both fans and competitors since its inception. 

This weekend, we take a look back at how it all got started for this venerable little short track.  The year was 1949 and the strictly stock division of NASCAR was heading into the sixth race of its eight-race season.  Fifteen cars made the trip to Martinsville to take on the half-mile then dirt facility for the first time in its storied history.

Curtis Turner put his ’49 Oldsmobile on the pole for the inaugural event, with Bob Flock starting to his outside.  The fifteen car field took the green flag for the 200-lap race and drove off into the first turn and into the history books.

Turner took the lead on the initial lap and held onto the top-spot for the next seventeen laps until Fonty Flock stole the lead.  After starting in the fourth-spot, Fonty Flock captured the lead and command of the race for the next eighty-five laps in his ’47 Buick.  Unfortunately, a broken wheel took Flock out of contention just past the half-way mark.

With Flock out of the running, NASCAR legend Red Byron took control.  Piloting his Raymond Parks-owned ’49 Oldsmobile, Byron went on to lead the remainder of the event (ninety-seven laps) and took the victory three laps ahead of Lee Petty in second.

 The victory was Byron’s second of the year and helped propel him to the 1949 strictly stock championship title. 

There have been 120 NASCAR Cup races at the Martinsville Speedway, yet Red Byron holds the title and honor of being named the first winner at the historic track.  The oldest track on the NASCAR schedule (Darlington ran its first Cup race in 1950), Martinsville Speedway has endured many challenges and changes to remain one of the most enjoyable and well-respected tracks on the circuit.