Photo – RIR

Richmond International Raceway is often called the “perfect” race track, combining short track excitement with the high-speed thrills of a big track.  But the 0.75-mile oval had to work to become perfection, to the tune of five configurations in its 62-year history.

The track known as Strawberry Hill, Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds and Virginia State Fairgrounds, hosted its first NASCAR race in 1953 as a half-mile dirt track.  NASCAR Hall of Famer Lee Petty won that April afternoon race, and won again in 1960 to become the first two-time Richmond winner. 

In 1968, the track was re-measured to 0.625 miles and paved. In the only race run under that configuration, Richard Petty won after starting from the pole position. The following race, in April 1969, was on a paved 0.5-mile oval. David Pearson, winner of the last dirt race at the track, took home the checkered flag.

The track changed one more time that year, to a 0.542-mile configuration, before the September race. This time the length stuck … at least for a while.  Thirty-seven races run, saw names such as Petty, Allison and Earnhardt.dominate the competition. The setup was particularly benevolent to Petty, who won nine of the first 12 races.

Following the February, 1988 race, the track underwent its last – and most dramatic – change by replacing the half-mile oval  with a 0.75-mile D-shaped oval.  This configuration has hosted 53 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, the most of any Richmond layout.  NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace has six wins on the current track, more than any other driver.