Richmond International Raceway

Address:602 East Laburnum Ave.
Richmond, Virginia

Is there such a thing as a perfect race track? If so, it must surely be Richmond International Raceway. Year after year, Richmond International Raceway puts on the best short track show, and arguably the best racing, anywhere. In addition to being one of racings most storied tracks, RIR is also one of the most popular among drivers, fans, and media. Why? Richmond's unique, ¾-mile layout produces tremendous side-by-side racing, yet drivers obtain high enough speeds to give it a super speedway feel. This is a rare combination, which allows for the beating and banging that fans love. You will get to see the kind of short-track, fender-to-fender action that has helped make NASCAR racing one of the country's most popular sports. 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 considered America's Premier Short Track.

Richmond International Raceway is the crown jewel of the Richmond Raceway Complex, a sprawling, 800- acre, multi-purpose facility that is home to versatile special events, corporate meetings, concerts, and outdoor festivals. The complex consists of six permanent buildings, with more than 300,000 square feet of exhibition and meeting space.

Richmond is host to two races, the first of which is the Crown Royal 400 in May. But it's the second race that has become one of the most important on the entire NASCAR circuit. The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 in September is the 26th race of the season. It is the dramatic final race of the "regular season," before the Chase for the Championship's final 10 races. It determines who will compete for the title, and who will have to wait for next season.

Richmond International Raceway has a long, rich history. Over nearly 60 years, the track has taken on a number of different shapes and names, but one the thing that's consistent is that it's all about the racing at Richmond. Richmond International Raceway's history dates back to a half-mile dirt track known as Strawberry Hill. 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 added to the facility in 1991, and now International Raceway is the only track to hold all of its major events under the lights.

Even when there's nothing speeding around the track, Richmond Raceway Complex is rarely empty, playing host to many shows and festivals. The Intergalactic Bead Show, Virginia Golf Show, Bassarama, and the RV and Camping Expo are all held here. Popular festivals such as the Virginia State Fair, the K95 Country Music Festival, the VA Food Festival, and concerts featuring local and national recording artists have taken place here as well.

Here's a tip for you. Make sure to bring a seat cushion! All seating in the grandstands is on aluminum benches, so a cushion will keep you comfortable, as well as keeping your place on the bench.

Richmond Raceway Complex offers ample parking for show and event guests. The Complex is just minutes from downtown Richmond, Virginia, and conveniently located near several major highways, including I-95, I-64, and I-295. Complimentary shuttle service is available from downtown Richmond, just minutes away from the track. The Shuttles will take you to and fro between Richmond International Raceway and the Richmond Coliseum parking lot on North 7th Street. Both are located just minutes from Routes 64 and 95. Shuttle service is available on NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race days only and begins at 1:00 p.m. Shuttles conveniently drop fans off at the track's main entrance, located at Laburnum Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. This is just a short walk to the Midway, the free Fan Fest presented by Chevy, and the grandstands. Post-race shuttle service starts immediately after the checkered flag at the main entrance.