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Martinsville Speedway breaks ground to install lights, unveils new 70th anniversary logo

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Fast Relief 500

MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 30: A general view of the action during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 30, 2016 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

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Hey, got a light?

Martinsville Speedway does – or more precisely, will have a lot of lights soon.

And you know what that means, right?

NIGHT RACING!

The oldest track in NASCAR broke ground Wednesday to install lights around its .526-mile paper clip shape. While it has not yet been determined when the first race under the lights will be held, when that decision comes about, the Speedway will be ready to flick the “on” switch.

The first night race will be ran by the NASCAR Late Model Stock Car series.

The Speedway also debuted a new logo to celebrate its 70th anniversary of its opening in 1947, which takes place in 2017. The logo highlights the phrase “The Original,” in honor of it being the only track still hosting NASCAR races from the 1949 season.

“Seventy (70) years is something to be really proud of and something we’re taking great pride in,” Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said in a statement. “We wanted to give an iconic look to such an iconic place; a place that’s a true piece of NASCAR history. I think the logo does just that by focusing on the past, while also celebrating the present.”

The southern Virginia track, which is owned by NASCAR parent company International Speedway Corporation, held its first NASCAR race in 1949 and has since played host to 136 premier series events, as well as 34 Xfinity Series and 36 Camping World Truck Series races.

The new lights and logo are just a part of what is going to be a very season for the Speedway and its officials.

Track founder, the late H. Clay Earles, will be honored next month during the NASCAR Hall of Fame inductions by being awarded the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR.

“I can’t think of a more fitting way to kick off the celebration of 70 years,” said Campbell, who is Earles’ grandson. “This track and this sport were his passions and to have him honored this year is truly amazing.”

Follow @JerryBonkowski