EVENT HUB - THE RADFORD RACE AT PULASKI MOTORSPORTS PARK

Pulaski Motorsports Park is one of the most gorgeous Short Tracks in America.

In the 1950's an oval was carved out of a farmer's field in Pulaski County.  In 1952, it opened as a dirt track with the name Pulaski County Speedway.  On opening day "Hot Rod cars"... known by most as Modifieds, thrilled race fans on the dusty oval. A thrill show by "Suicide Jones" entertained the crowd with daring acts between races.  This was just the start of the track's long history of racing and entertainment. 

IN 1988 the track re-opened as a paved track under the NASCAR sanction. The Late Model era of the track known as "Motor Mile Speedway" flourished.  Stars like Jeff Agnew, Phillip Morris and Lee Pullium became regional giants. One of the names to win a title at the track was the namesake of this race, Paul Radford in a Late Model in 1993. 

 Many racing tours visited the beautiful facility. including the SMART Modified Tour, as it became a mainstay in the Virginia Motorsports scene. 

Recently, the track changed ownership and returned to the county moniker, being renamed to Pulaski Motorsports Park.  The track is now under the direction of one of its former stars, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series winner Stacy Compton.  

While the track has a decorated history, fans and competitors will fall in love with its beautifully kept modern facilities.

TRACK SIZE AND BANKING

.416 mile banked asphalt oval

15-degrees banking in the turns

7-degrees banking on the straightaways

CLICK HERE TO VISIT TRACK SITE

“You always knew it was Paul Radford coming up behind you because of those glasses with the thick black frames he wore so many years,”  - NASCAR Hall of Fame racer Jerry Cook

James Paul Radford was one of Modified racing's great stars. But most knew him as "The Ferrum Flash." 

While dust has settled on some record books, the folks with the SMART Modified Tour try to honor the history of the sport as a part of growing Modified racing.  A few years back we honored the legacy of Paul Radford with the running of The Radford Race. SMART Tour director Chris Williams honored "The Ferrum Flash" with an eternal flame award for his contributions to Modified Auto Racing. 

In 2025 we lost Paul Radford.  This year we celebrate his legacy, like we did while he was alive, with a race. The Radford Race.

Paul Radford was one of the most successful Modified racers in the country with wins at places like Bowman Gray Stadium, Franklin County Speedway and Pulaski. In total, He took over 200-checkered flags during his long-career. His win in a Modified and Late Model Sportsman on the same day at Martinsville Speedway (Dogwood 500) in 1977 solidified his legend.  Radford was also a decorated soldier with the US Army having served in the Korean war.

SMART AT PULASKI COUNTY

The SMART Modified Tour has raced at Pulaski County Motorsports Park 11-times throughout its history.

 July 1989 - Tony Jankowiak

Oct 1989 - Johnny Bush

July 1990 - Jay Hedgecock

July 1991 - Junior Miller

September 2000 - Ed Flemke Jr.

September 2001 - Jay Hedgecock

September 2002 Burt Myers

September 2004 - Brian Loftin

Octover 2021 - Brandon Ward

Oct 2022 - Brandon Ward (THE RADFORD RACE)

Oct 2023 - Sam Rameau (THE RADFORD RACE)

TWO DRIVERS HAVE WON "THE RADFORD RACE"

Brandon Ward (2022)

Sam Rameau (2023)