 The paper clip-shaped Martinsville Speedway, the shortest track in the NASCAR Cup Series at and one of the first paved "speedways," is located just outside the city near the town of Ridgeway.Martinsville was founded by American Revolutionary War General, Indian agent and explorer Joseph Martin, born in Albemarle County.He developed his plantation "Scuffle Hill" on the banks of the Smith River near the present-day southern city limits.