Dominion Raceway facts for kids

Opening Day 2016

Dominion Raceway is a motorsport complex currently operating in Thornburg, Virginia. The facility includes 4/10-mile oval track, a 2-mile road course, and a 1/8-mile drag strip. The track hosts NASCAR, SCCA, and Superkart events along with amateur road course and street racing events.

New location

The motorsport complex at the new location broke ground in 2013 and opened in 2016 at 6510 Dominion Raceway Ave. in Thornburg, Virginia.

Inaugural Winners

Inaugural Race Winners

Old Dominion Speedway

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 people who purchased homes near an existing raceway, 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." and later became the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Late Model Track Champions

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

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.

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.

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

• 2006: Dustin Storm
• 2007: Dustin Storm
• 2008: Not held
• 2009: David Polenz
• 2010: Mike Darne
• 2011: Doug Liberman
• 2012: Michael Hardin

Joe Gibbs Youth for Tomorrow 150 winners

• 2010: Mike Darne
• 2011: Mike Darne
• 2012: Dustin Storm

NASCAR history

The track was called Longview Speedway before the Gore family purchased it. The track hosted Grand National Series races in 1958 and from 1963 to 1966. 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

• 1958: Frankie Schneider
• 1963: Richard Petty
• 1964: Ned Jarrett
• 1964: Ned Jarrett
• 1965: Junior Johnson
• 1965: Richard Petty
• 1966: Elmo Langley