The bright colors of race cars will give way to the softer shades of spring flowers when Martinsville Speedway hosts a stop on the Historic Garden Week tour on April 23.

The 75th Virginia Historic Garden Week is the oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation.

Sponsored by The Garden Study Club and the Martinsville Garden Club, this year’s tour for Martinsville and Henry County is titled “From Ridgeway to Raceway,” and includes sites around Ridgeway in the Southern end of Henry County. Although named “Martinsville Speedway,” the track is actually in Ridgeway.

“We are honored that we were chosen to be on this years Historic Garden Week tour,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “I know it’s not a traditional Garden Tour stop, but I think everyone will appreciate and enjoy their visit here. The tours are always tied to historic places and we certainly have a lot of history here at Martinsville Speedway.”

Earlier this year, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources deemed Martinsville Speedway a site of historical significance and placed a historic marker at the entrance to the track.

Visitors taking the Garden Club Tour of the track will be treated to a guided tour of the race track by members of the Patrick Henry Community College Motorsports Association. Campbell will have his elagantly, but comfortably outfitted motor coach open for visitors to tour.

Those with advance lunch reservations will dine in the track’s Presidential Suite, located 14 stories above the race track.

Martinsville Speedway is one of several stops on the Historic Garden Week tour in Martinsville and Henry County on April 23. Other tour locations include the Greenhouse and Horticulture Program at Magna Vista High School; 199 Beckford Way, located in the Farmingdale neighborhood; 75 Derbyshire Lane, located in the Farmingdale neighborhood; and 480 Owsley Drive, located in the Farmingdale neighborhood.

Full ticket price for the Martinsville and Henry County tour is $15. Single-site ticket for the Speedway is $10. All other single-site tickets are $5. Tickets may be purchased on tour day at any of the sites open for the tour.

Tickets for the luncheon in the President’s Suite at Martinsville Speedway are $12 and are available by advance reservation only. Reservations may be made by calling 276.638.6006 or 276.638.1030.