Virginia International Raceway~

Hey, race fans, if you are unfamiliar with the historic Virginia International Raceway, located just outside of Danville, Virginia, then you should brush up on your racing history. This track has hosted legendary racers like Carroll Shelby (creator of the legendary Shelby Cobra cars), Richard Petty and even Paul Newman! It is one of the premier road racing courses in the world, and I have included a little about the history of the Virginia International Raceway below.

Virginia International Raceway

The Virginia International Raceway originally opened in August 1957 with a race that featured Shelby and several other notable road course racers. This event became a fixture at the track over the next couple of years. However, with its location in the heart of NASCAR country, the Virginia International Raceway had a tough time drawing huge crowds. As a result, the property’s lease was reverted from a national sports car racing enterprise to a local owner, Col. Paul Rembold. He along with the track’s manager, Henry Wallace, were able to successfully operate the track until 1974. After the fuel crisis of 1973, Virginia International Raceway was once again falling upon hard times. The track was closed, seemingly for good in 1974.

In 1998, New York real estate developer and racing enthusiast Harvey Siegel purchased the lease and began plans to re-open the track. Siegel had grand plans for the Virginia International Raceway. He had the track widened and repaved, added three hotels on-site as well as several restaurants, and the track re-opened in 2000. For those who came to the new venue, it was a wonderful site. The re-worked venue now plays host to the American Le Mans Racing Series as well as being the top motorcycle racing venue in the nation.

The Virginia International Raceway is also very prominent for all three of the top series of NASCAR. Each has a few road track races per year, however, each team is allotted only a few tests per year on tracks where the respective series actually runs, so running on these tracks poses a predicament for teams who may need those test sessions for other configurations in which they struggle. Therefore, Virginia International Raceway has become a wonderful option for road course testing and improving both car and driver performance for those tricky road courses on the NASCAR schedules. It is not unusual to find NASCAR regulars such as Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Kyle Busch or Jimmie Johnson running laps at Virginia International Raceway.

Virginia International Raceway is open to the public, and offers a variety of events for entertainment as well as the opportunity to go on the track with go kart rides available for a small fee. The restaurants offer a variety of tasty foods and are also open to the public. If you are looking to see a premier race track with a whole lot more to offer than just the track to look at, then the Virginia International Raceway is the place to go!

 

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The Breezy Oaks Farmhouse Bed And Breakfast Welcomes All Racing Enthusiasts!

 

This post was brought to you by Breezy Oaks Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast in Alton, Va., where all race car drivers and fans are welcome. Breezy Oaks Farmhouse features restful rooms with double showers, fireplaces and jacuzzis. Enjoy a full country breakfast in the morning and homemade cookies in your room at night, as well as the decadent smell of handmade soaps that make your stay extra special. Also featuring couple and individual massage therapy by appointment, the Breezy Oaks Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast is open year round and is only a few minutes from Virginia International Raceway and just a short drive from Danville, Va. To check on rates and availability, please call 434-822-5841 {if no one answers, please leave a message}.