VIRGINIA (USA)
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1946 - ATLANTIC RURAL EXPOSITION FAIRGROUNDS TRACK
Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds Track opened to the world of motor racing on the 12th of October 1946, just after the end of the second world war.
This 1/2 mile dirt track was for duel use. Previously the track was exclusive to horse racing. The winner of that first car racing event was Ted Horn in a Indy type open wheel car.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1948 - STRAWBERRY HILL RACEWAY
By 1948 the speedway was more commonly known as Strawberry Hill Raceway, a far more appealing name. The track had also joined with some others to become a part of the Nascar schedule.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1953 - STRAWBERRY HILL RACEWAY
In 1953 the track began hosting Grand National Series events for Nascars. Lee Petty would be the first driver to win one of these events.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1955 - STRAWBERRY HILL RACEWAY
In 1955 the ownership of the track changed. Paul Sawyer and famed racer Joe Weatherly bought the venue and by the 10th of March 1964 meetings on the 1/2 mile track were being held under lights.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1968 - STRAWBERRY HILL RACEWAY
In 1968 Strawberry Hill Raceway received it first paved surface.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************************************
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1984 - RICHMOND RACEWAY WRANGLER 400 9th September 1984
David Allio / Racing Photography Archives Pictorial feature
9th September 1984 - Darrell Waltrip [11] Johnson - Hodgdon Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Wrangler 400 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway on the Virginia State Fairgrounds in Richmond. Virginia. Photographer: David Allio.
9th September 1984 - Bill Elliott in the [9] Harry Melling Ford Thunderbird makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond. Virginia. Photographer: David Allio.
9th September 1984 - Dale Earnhardt in the number [3] Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo does some rubbing and racing with Ricky Rudd in the [15] Bud Moore Engineering Ford Thunderbird during the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Wrangler 400 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway on the Virginia State Fairgrounds in Richmond Virginia. Photographer: David Allio.
9th September 1984 - Darrell Waltrip in the [11] Johnson Hodgdon Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo makes a pit stop during the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Wrangler 400 at the Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway on the Virginia State Fairgrounds in Richmond. Virginia. Photographer: David Allio.
9th September 1984 - Derrike Cope in the [07] Ford Thunderbird races Bill Elliott in the [9] Ford Thunderbird during the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National Wrangler 400 at the Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond. Virginia. Photographer: David Allio.
*********************************************************************************************************************************
1988 - RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
During 1988 the track went through some major upgrades. firstly to its current size of .75 miles in length, also the track was reshaped to it current shape, the track surface was resealed and the lighting was upgraded. It was at this point the name of the venue was changed to Richmond International Raceway.