NASCAR Hall of Fame 5th Class Finalist - H. Clay Earles - Promoter
SEE ALSO: Complete List Of Finalists - Includes Official NASCAR Bio's and Pictures
(b. 8/11/13 - d. 11/16/99)
Hometown:
One of the original pioneers of stock car auto
racing, H. Clay Earles played an integral role in the early years of
NASCAR's development. Earles built and opened Martinsville Speedway in
1947, and the short track remains the only facility to host NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series races every year since the series’ inception in 1949.
The
speedway held its first race Sept. 7, 1947 – three months before the
creation of NASCAR. That initial race drew more than 6,000 fans to the
track, which had just 750 seats ready.
Built as a dirt track, the .526-mile asphalt speedway has grown from a
dusty, primitive operation into a multi-million dollar facility covering
over 340 acres. It’s been called "two drag strips with short turns"
due to the 800-foot straights and tight turns banked at only 12
degrees.
Martinsville has been called "the Augusta National of auto racing." Earles
had roses climbing the outhouses and azaleas in the
turns.
In 1964, Earles decided it was time for a
"different" type of trophy for his race winners. He gave winners
grandfather clocks, a tradition that continues today.
Earles passed away on November 16, 1999 as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the speedway.