Martinsville Speedway is the home of two weekends of NASCAR racing most years. Each weekend culminates in a Sprint Cup series event on Sunday. The town of Martinsville, Virginia, has fewer than 15,000 people but is within a one-day drive of 60 percent of all Americans, making it a popular destination for traveling race fans. There are several camping sites at the track, and nearby and healthy activities in the area.
On-Site Camping
Typically at Martinsville, campers are allowed to enter the campgrounds at the track the Saturday one week prior to a Sunday race. While a small number of campsites can be reserved, these often sell out well in advance of the race; the majority of spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tents are allowed only in designated areas, and you cannot rent portable restrooms for personal use.
Off-Site Camping
Located less than two miles from Martinsville Speedway, the Indian Heritage RV Park offers 12 RV hookup spaces along with 16 spaces for self-contained RV units. The site is a certified National Wildlife Federation wildlife habitat, giving you the chance to see animals like bald eagles, osprey, deer and raccoons in their natural environment. The Band D Campsites in Ridgeway offer RV hookups and primitive camping; they're just one mile from the Martinsville Speedway entrance.
Eating Healthy
Camping at a NASCAR event usually means plenty of opportunities for grilling. You can eat healthy by grilling plenty of vegetables. Making kabobs with grilled vegetables along with meats such as skinless chicken are tasty and low-fat. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, grilling seared muscle meats can increase your risk of exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens. Grilling vegetables or trimming fat can eliminate or reduce your risk levels.
Healthy Activities
Nature lovers can explore a prime birding and wildlife trail at the Philpott Lake Dam overlooking the speedway, where they can spot local birds like the brown-headed nuthatch and yellow-throated warbler along with a variety of wildflowers and butterflies. Anglers can enjoy the fishing along the Smith River, which is a popular spot in western Virginia for brown trout fishing. You can also cut loose by lacing up some roller skates and taking to the rink at the Roll-A-Bout Skating Center in Collinsville.
Considerations
If you are camping on-site at Martinsville Speedway, expect to spend some time there after the race: Any vehicles at on-site campgrounds will not be allowed to leave for at least two hours because of safety concerns revolving around the heavy amount of traffic and pedestrian traffic following the race. You should also be prepared to walk when you are at the track as regulations prohibit bicycles, ATVs, dirt bikes and golf carts.
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