Dominion Raceway

Dominion Raceway
Location 6501 Dominion Raceway Avenue, Thornburg, Virginia 22580
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
(DST): EDT (UTC-4)
Coordinates 38°08′20″N 77°30′17″W / 38.138813°N 77.504626°W / 38.138813; -77.504626Coordinates: 38°08′20″N 77°30′17″W / 38.138813°N 77.504626°W / 38.138813; -77.504626
Owner Steve Britt
Broke ground 2013
Opened c. 2016
Oval
Surface Asphalt
Length 0.40 mi (0.64 km)
Turns 4
Banking Turns: 14°
Straights: 9°
Road course
Surface Asphalt
Length 2.0 mi (3.2 km)
Turns 12
Drag strip
Surface Asphalt
Length 0.125 mi (0.201 km)

Dominion Raceway is a motorsport complex currently under construction in Thornburg, Virginia. The complex is scheduled to open in 2016 with a 2-mile (3.2 km) road course, a 0.4-mile (0.64 km) oval track, and a 0.125-mile (0.201 km) drag strip.

The motorsport complex was located in Manassas, Virginia until 2012, when the track closed because of frequent noise complaints. The former complex, known as Old Dominion Speedway, included a 0.6-mile (0.97 km) oval track and a drag strip.

New location

The motorsport complex at the new location broke ground in 2013 and is scheduled to open in 2016. The new complex will be located in Thornburg, Virginia.[1]

Former location

Old Dominion Speedway
Location 10611 Dumfries Rd, Prince William County, near Manassas, Virginia
Opened 1952
Closed 2012
Major events NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, Youth For Tomorrow 150, ODS Big One
Length 0.6 km (.375 mi)

Old Dominion Speedway (ODS) was a motorsport complex located in Prince William County, just south of Manassas, Virginia. The complex closed in 2012 after frequent noise complaints from neighbors, which prompted owner Steve Britt to search for a new location.

The dragstrip hosted Friday night drag races and Wednesday evening Test and Tunes. Weekly divisions included: Super Pro, Foot Brake, Motorcycle, Quick 16, and Top Street 5.8. The drag strip, when first used in 1953, was originally a 1/8th-mile dirt track, and the first officially-sanctioned drag strip on the East Coast. The 3/8-mile track hosted Late Models, INEX Legends, Mini Modifieds, UCARSet Stocks, Bandoleros, and UCARS. The track was built as a dirt track in 1952 and was paved in 1953.

Old Dominion was also the birthplace of the Late Model Stock Car, "The Late Model Sportsman and Limited Sportsman divisions, along with some support classes ran until 1979, when track promoter Dick Gore came up with an idea for a class that would become one of the fastest growing divisions in NASCAR. 'They said it would never work', says Gore, referring to the Late Model Stock Car division. But work it did as it became one of the most popular divisions, spreading throughout the country."[2]

Late Model Track Champions
  • 1979: Billy Earl
  • 1980–1982: Not held
  • 1983: Charlie Ford
  • 1984: Curtis Markham
  • 1985: Curtis Markham
  • 1986: Danny Fair
  • 1987: Eddie Johnson
  • 1988: Charlie Ford
  • 1989: Charlie Ford
  • 1990: Danny Fair
  • 1991: Eddie Johnson
  • 1992: Danny Fair
  • 1993: Brandon Butler
  • 1994: Danny Fair
  • 1995: Charlie Ford
  • 1996: Wes Troup
  • 1997: Wes Troup
  • 1998: Dale Delozier
  • 1999: Dale Delozier
  • 2000: Mark McFarland
  • 2001: Dustin Storm
  • 2002: Mike Darne
  • 2003: Mark McFarland
  • 2004: Brandon Butler
  • 2005: Franklin Butler III
  • 2006: Frank Deiny Jr.
  • 2007: Michael Hardin
  • 2008: Willard Lawrence
  • 2009: Willard Lawrence
  • 2010: Adam Brenner
  • 2011: David Polenz
  • 2012: Doug Liberman

Old Dominion Kart Series

The speedway also hosted a karting series. Divisions include Jr. Sportsman, Kid Kart, Bandelero, Senior Champ, Cadet, Stock Lite, Jr. Stock, and Jr. Champ.

Special events

An example of a monster truck

The track hosted monster trucks, a U.S. Drift sanctioned drifting event, and car shows. The Speedway also hosted six Virginia Sprint races and five Shenandoah Mini Cup Races. They also hosted a Rolling Thunder Modified Race. The premier event at Old Dominion was "The Big One" held at the end of the season. It sees the highest car counts, biggest purse, and more spectators than most events. It was a non-points race for the Late Models, allowing the drivers to go all out to win.

In 2010, the "Big One" was the final race of the season at ODS. It was also the final race in the battle for the Virginia State Championship. CE Falk entered the race, needing to win the race to win the Virginia Championship. Despite leading early, he was not able to secure the victory paving the road for Justin Johnson to win the Championship. Adam Brenner won the track championship with a solid finish and the race win went to Mike Darne.[3]

In 2011, Dustin Storm led the most laps. He had to charge through the field after changing a tire before he crossed the line. After the fans filed out and the majority of the media left, Dustin Storm was disqualified and Doug Liberman was awarded the win.[4]

In 2012, Michael Hardin won the race before a packed house in what would end up being the final race ever held at the Old Dominion Speedway oval.

"ODS The Big One" winners
Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow 150 winners

NASCAR history

The track was called Longview Speedway before the Gore family purchased it. The track hosted Grand National (now Sprint Cup) races in 1958 and from 1963 to 1966.[5] Former racing greats such as Lee Petty, Richard Petty, Ralph Earnhardt, Ned Jarrett, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, and Lennie Pond, have raced at ODS. In recent years, Mark McFarland won several track championships and Denny Hamlin raced there. The current driver for the No. 88 Champion Spark Plugs Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series, Richard Boswell also made his start at this track. Many other USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series drivers, such as Jack Bailey, Trevor Bayne, and Charlie Ford have also raced at ODS. In 2006, Albert Anderson became the first African-American to win a race at Old Dominion Speedway.

Winners

References

  1. ↑ "Old Dominion Speedway plans to relocate to Spotsylvania County | Business Insider". News.fredericksburg.com. October 5, 2012. Archived from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Old Dominion Speedway History". Old Dominion Speedway. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "Darne Wins "Big One" at Old Dominion Speedway"; Andy Marquis; September 19, 2010; Race22.com; Retrieved October 22, 2010
  4. ↑ "Liberman Wins ODS Big One After a Storm in Victory Lane"; Andy Marquis; September 22, 2011; Race22.com; Retrieved October 26, 2011
  5. ↑ NASCAR Track Grand National History; Retrieved February 25, 2007

External links

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