Richmond Raceway

Richmond Raceway (formerly known as the Richmond International Raceway from 1988 to 2017 and as the Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway from 1969 to 1988) is a 0.750 mi (1.207 km) D-shaped oval short track in Richmond, Virginia, United States. It has hosted major races since its inaugural season of racing in 1946, including NASCAR and IndyCar races. The track is owned by NASCAR and led by track president Lori Collier Waran. Initially built in 1946 as part of the Atlantic Rural Exposition (now known as the State Fair of Virginia), the track initially held horse and open-wheel racing. In the following decades, the track hosted annual NASCAR races. Starting in the early 1970s, the track declined in its condition, leading to numerous racetrack proposals being made to replace the track. After all proposals failed, in 1988, the track was expanded into a 0.750 mi (1.207 km) and underwent mass expansion over the following years. Heading into the 2000s, the facility was bought out by the France family. Starting in the 2010s, the track significantly downsized, reducing seating capacity to less than half of its peak.