Pioneer, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is “a person who begins or helps develop something new and prepares the way for others to follow.” When it comes to both NASCAR and stock car racing Martinsville Speedway Founder H. Clay Earles certainly fits the bill.
Seventy years after building the half-mile race track, Earles’ was recognized as he is the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 2017 Landmark Award recipient, an award given for “outstanding contributions to NASCAR.”
“Mr. Earles’ contributions to NASCAR are immeasurable,” NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley said. “He was a pioneer in so many ways—from building and growing the sport to the fan experience at the track.
“I have been attending races at Martinsville for over 50 years, and the facility has always been among the most immaculately manicured, fan friendly and industry friendly, not to mention the exciting racing we have witnessed there over the past 70 years,” Kelley said. “We are honored to help recognize his remarkable influence on NASCAR, a legacy that continues to grow to this day.”
Earles, a local businessman and entrepreneur, opened Martinsville Speedway in 1947, two years before NASCAR would run its inaugural season. He served as the track’s chairman of the board until his death in 1999 and always put the fans first and felt that no matter how successful the track was, it would never be complete.
“Everything that he did was to improve this place year-in-and-year-out and I think that’s a philosophy we still have here at Martinsville Speedway,” current Martinsville Speedway President and Earles’ grandson Clay Campbell said. “He was a real stickler for detail and he wanted this place to be as good if not better than any track on the circuit.
“He was always on top of things and things he did back in the day are pretty much the norm now. So, I think he was a pioneer and a trailblazer as far as that goes.”
Campbell said he and his family are honored to receive the award on his late grandfather’s behalf.
“It makes us feel really proud,” Campbell said. “It’s just so nice that people recognize what he did for the sport of NASCAR as well as Martinsville Speedway and Martinsville. He put a lot of hard work into this place and to be recognized with the Landmark Award is really special for all of us.”
This year the historic track celebrates its 70th anniversary.
