RIDGEWAY - The two ends of Martinsville Speedway will look a bit different when fans fill the grandstands in March. Speedway President Clay Campbell confirmed Friday that the Speedway is taking out rows of seats from the top of the Bill France Tower between Turns 3 and 4, and all of the seats above the press box between Turns 1 and 2.
It's no secret that attendance is down across the country in NASCAR, and Campbell admitted that played into the timing of the seat removal. More so, though, Campbell said the seats being eliminated were too high and difficult for fans to reach, providing logistical issues with facilities in that area. Eliminating the seats removes that problem.
Campbell said both seating areas were built sometime in the early 2000s, and he admitted that in retrospect the ones in Turns 3 and 4 probably shouldn't have been built that high given that stairs were the only way to reach the top. The removal looks to be about a dozen rows.
The seats above the press box required climbing close to 180 stairs, and Campbell said there weren't enough seats there to install an elevator. He said they're looking at opportunities for further construction at both towers and possibly repurposing some of the area, but has no imminent plans at this time.
Fans who had season tickets in those seats that are being eliminated have been relocated, and Campbell said the Speedway's ticket office has done everything to make sure those having to change are happy with their new seats.
The only changes fans watching on TV may see is a new, lower camera angle on Turn 3, and Campbell said that won't be detrimental to the viewing experience.
The other construction project in the works at the Speedway will involve changes to the front entrance, which Campbell said more details will be provided in the next couple of months. The main point is to improve traffic flow on race days by expanding from eight to 30 gates.
--- Martinsville Speedway ---