WEST VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY - HUNTINGTON WV
(Ona Speedway)
Constructed in 1962 by West Virginia Sports and Motor Sports Inc at a cost of $750,000, the track was phase 1 of a larger project that would eventually include a 1.375-mile superspeedway and football field. Also called Ona Speedway, the track hosted two NASCAR Cup Series races in the 1960s. The 1963 Mountaineer 300 was held in August 1963 on a 3/8 mile paved oval; and had an attendance of 16,000. The 300 lap race was won by Fred Lorenzen, as he beat Joe Weatherly by a lap. For 1964 the track had changed and was now a 4/10 mile oval and increased the race distance to 500
laps. The Mountaineer 500 was held in August 1964 and was won by Richard Petty, who led 396 laps and beat Junior Johnson by three laps. During the race pieces of the pavement cracked and became displaced causing complaints from many of the drivers. In 1965 NASCAR did not return to Ona and the planned 1.375-mile superspeedway was canceled. A denied direct-access interstate ramp was partly blamed along with declining attendance, low driver payout, and the pavement issue during the 1964 race. The track continued to operate with local racing until it was purchased by entertainer Dick Clark (yes 'that' Dick Clark) and the Lashinsky brothers
in 1969. The track hosted two more NASCAR Cup Series races in the 1970s and became a local concert venue. The 1970 edition of the Cup race was 300 laps and Petty would show he still remembered how to get around the track as he led 240 laps, and beat James Hylton by eight laps. Cups final trip came in 1971. Petty would once again be king of the track as he won for the third time. This time he beat Bobby Allison by two laps, with Hylton coming in third. In the 1980's the track sat dormant with no known races held at the facility. In 1995, the track was repaved and reopened by Donnie Chapman. The track continued to host with weekly racing throughout the decade. In 2011, the track was shortened from a 5/8-mile to a 3/8-mile. Shortly after that change, the doors were closed, and for eight years, the track has sat dormant. The Earth began
actively reclaiming the dirt track. Plants taking over the racing surface and the entire complex slipping into decay. In 2021, West Virginia Motor Speedway roared back to life. The resurrection of the complex is led by racing promoter Cody Watson. It's reopening in 2021 includes its current “phase one” plan featuring a warrior like clean up effort and blue collar rebuild of the dated facility. Dirt that was hauled in for the shortening of the speedway in 2011 was removed as the new group returns to the 5/8 mile proprietary being dubbed ‘The Worlds Fastest Dirt Track’. Some other improvements included, the main VIP & Race Control tower had a complete overhaul inside and out, buildings received
new roofs and face-lifts, new pit amenities adopted, new concessions equipment was installed, just to name a few. The track is currently operating, hosting bi-weekly stock car racing. Classes of cars raced include Late Models, Modifieds, Legends, Hobby Stocks, Classics, Compacts, and UCAR.
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