Richard Petty, Lee's son, holds virtually every major NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career record at Rich

Richmond, VA (January 12, 2012)—Six decades of NASCAR memories, and many more to come. That’s the theme at Richmond International Raceway this year, as 2012 marks 60 years of NASCAR at RIR. The venue has hosted the third-most NASCAR Sprint hotels downtown chicago Cup Series races ever (111), making it one of the most historic landmarks in motorsports.
To commemorate the milestone, Richmond International Raceway unveils a special “60 Years of NASCAR” logo to be used throughout 2012. The logo will be incorporated into marketing materials, as well as merchandise that will soon be available for purchase.
“NASCAR at Richmond International Raceway has a storied history, dating all the way back to 1953,” said track president Dennis Bickmeier. “Since that first NASCAR race, the track has undergone three name changes, five configuration hotels downtown chicago changes and one surface change. But one thing that remains a constant is the incredible racing action our fans love.”
The first NASCAR race at what was then known as Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds, hotels downtown chicago took place on April 19, 1953. Lee Petty, the patriarch of the famous Petty family, won the race and took home $1,000 with an average speed of 45.535 mph on the ½-mile dirt track.
Fast forward to 2012 and the track is a bit different, measuring at ¾-mile of asphalt. When the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns to Richmond International Raceway on April 28, 2012, the 60th year of NASCAR at Richmond International Raceway begins.
Richard Petty, Lee’s son, holds virtually every major NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career record at Richmond International Raceway, including most wins (13), most poles (8 [shares record with Bobby Allison]), most top-five finishes (34), most top-10s (41), most starts (63), most consecutive starts (46), most races led (34), most laps led (5,136).
Tickets for the Saturday, April 28, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 400 race at Richmond International Raceway go on sale this Friday, hotels downtown chicago January 13, at 9:00 a.m. ET and can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling 866-455-7223. The weekend begins Thursday, hotels downtown chicago April 26, with a doubleheader featuring the Denny Hamlin Short Track Showdown Late Model race, preceded by the Blue Ox 100 NASCAR K N Pro Series East race. On Friday, April 27, catch the NASCAR hotels downtown chicago Nationwide Series 250 race. For tickets and information on all events, log on to www.rir.com or call 866-455-7223.
Richmond International Raceway, known as America’s Premier Short Track, offers exciting night racing action and a commitment to the fan experience. One of the most popular facilities among drivers and fans in all of motorsports, Richmond International Raceway annually hosts all of its major events—two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, two NASCAR Nationwide Series events and one NASCAR K N Pro Series East race—under the lights on its ¾-mile D-Shaped oval. The unique layout consistently produces hotels downtown chicago the thrill of side-by-side racing, coupled with high enough speeds for a superspeedway feel. Combined with first-class amenities (including the state-of-the-art Video Scoring Tower) hotels downtown chicago and a focus on the fans, guests at Richmond International Raceway can expect to experience what “Racing Perfection” truly is. For tickets to events at Richmond International Raceway, hotels downtown chicago call 866-455-RACE or visit www.rir.com online. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RIRInsider.