FMS: Virginia's Racing Region Releases Fan Guide

MARTINSVILLE, VA (March 1, 2001) – Are you coming to the Virginia 500 Winston Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on April 8, but you aren’t sure exactly what else there is to do while you’re here? Don’t be concerned. Virginia’s Racing Region has solved your problem with the unveiling of the Virginia’s Racing Region Visitor’s Guide. The 36-page booklet presents histories and schedules of the three-featured tracks in the region – Martinsville Speedway, South Boston Speedway and the Virginia International Raceway and guides to the areas surrounding the three tracks. “We have four counties and two cities in Southside Virginia working hard to promote racing and make race fans’ visits to our area more enjoyable,” said Steve Sheppard, president of the Martinsville and Henry County Chamber of Commerce. “This guide will be a great resource for race fans.” This is the second guide to be published since the Virginia General Assembly designated the counties of Henry, Patrick, Halifax and Pittyslvania and the cities of Martinsville and Danville as Virginia’s Racing Region in 1997. The guide is designed to help race fans move about the region with ease as they search out fun and adventure away from the race track. The guide lists 46 hotels/motels, 26 bead and breakfasts, 15 camping and RV facilities, 125 restaurants and 20 fast food chains. Also included are 50 historical and cultural attractions, 30 scenic/recreational areas and five public golf courses. “The racing region guide will provide information to many race fans who are already coming to our area and hopefully encourage them to stay longer and return often,” Sheppard said, who also is the senior director of corporate communications at Martinsville Speedway. “Racing is one of many attractions in our region and hopefully race fans will stop in our communities at times other than just race weekend.” The 30,000 guides will be distributed with track ticket sales, sponsoring chambers of commerce and other means. They may also be obtained by calling (886) 632-3378, toll free. There will be plenty of action in the racing region this spring. Martinsville Speedway will host the Advance Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on April 7 and the Virginia 500 Winston Cup race on April 8. South Boston Speedway swings open its gates for a NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour race on March 10-11. And Virginia International Raceway opens its racing season April 26-29 with the Ferrari Challenge.

- Mike Smith