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Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Track Diagram
Richmond International Raceway
600 E. Laburnum
Richmond, VA 23222
One of the most historic tracks in racing is also one of the most popular among drivers, fans and the media. Year after year, Richmond International Raceway puts on the best short track show, and arguably the best racing anywhere. Why? Richmond's unique, ¾-mile layout produces tremendous side-by-side racing, yet drivers obtain high enough speeds to give it a superspeedway feel. That rare combination still allows for the beating and banging that fans love, with the drivers' skill playing a major role in winning. In the words of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup icon Rusty Wallace, those characteristics help make racing at the track and the experience fans have while visiting, simply "perfect."

With 30 straight NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series sellouts and tremendous crowds each season for its NASCAR Busch Series and IRL IndyCar® Series races, Richmond International Raceway is a fixture on NASCAR's and IRL's schedules.

Each season, Richmond International Raceway hosts two NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races, two NASCAR Busch Series races, an IRL IndyCar Series event, a USAC Silver Crown Series event and a USAC National Sprint Car Series race.

The 2007 season marks the 61st anniversary of the track's first race. On October 12, 1946, Ted Horn drove an open-wheel car to victory over a ½-mile dirt track at Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds. NASCAR was founded in 1948, and five years later the sanctioning body staged a race in its Grand National Division in Richmond on April 19, 1953. In 1971, the racing division became known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and is now known as the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series.

Since that first race in Richmond in 1953, the track has undergone three name changes, five configuration changes and one surface change, from dirt to asphalt. Lights were also added to the facility in 1991.

Additionally, Richmond International Raceway is the only track to hold all of its major events "under the lights."

Track Facts Information:

Track Size: 750 mile oval

Front Stretch: 1,290 ft

Back Stretch: 1,367 ft

Degree of Banking:

  • Corners: 14 degrees
  • Straights: Front 8 degrees
  • Back: 2 degrees

Policy Information:

The following items are permitted in the Richmond International Raceway grandstand areas:

  • One clear plastic bag no larger than 18 x 18 x 4 inches such as those used to accommodate samples received and purchases made after fans have parked their cars. Clear plastic bags may not contain ice. Each fan is allowed to bring in one soft-sided bag and one clear bag, totaling two bags per fan.
  • One soft-sided bag no larger than 6 x 6 x 12 inches. Soft-sided bags include insulated coolers, scanner bags, fanny packs, purses, diaperbags, binocular cases, etc. Soft-sided bags may contain ice. While coolers are allowed in the grandstand areas, they are not permitted in the Hospitality Village.
  • Cell phones or scanners clipped to the belt.
  • If you have been issued a credential, it should be worn in a visible location and must be accompanied by a photo ID.
  • Binoculars, cameras, headsets, etc. worn separately (without a bag) around the neck or belt are also allowed. Seat cushion bags with compartments will be reviewed on an individual basis. Fans are asked to please be aware that all items brought through grandstand gates are subject to inspection.

For your safety, the following items are not permitted in the Richmond International Raceway grandstand areas.

  • Firearms, knives, fireworks and items restricted by local, state or federal laws, including pocketknives.
  • Hard-sided coolers, thermos bottles and insulated cups of any size.
  • Strollers, umbrellas, etc.

Please be aware that any restricted items listed above left in or around the gate area will be disposed.