What began as a birthday party a year ago has turned into a tradition.

A year ago, Martinsville Speedway celebrated its 60th birthday with a huge open-house birthday party that included an opportunity for fans to drive their own cars on the famed .526-mile oval.

The day was such a big hit with fans, speedway officials have announced the Second Annual Martinsville Speedway Open House, scheduled for Sunday, August 24 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. And again, the event is free of charge.

“We had no idea how big this was going to be last year and if something is so popular with the fans, we figured we needed to keep it going,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “For race fans, it’s a big deal to have the opportunity to drive their cars on the same track where all the legends, Richard Petty, Fireball Roberts, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, have driven.”

It should be noted, fans won’t get to drive exactly like the legends did. It will be a guided trip around the paper-clip shaped oval, led by the track’s official pace car for the TUMS QuikPak 500.

The drive-arounds will be just a part of the day’s experience, though.

Guided tours of the track will run continuously from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will include stops in the press box, corporate suites, the flagman’s stand, the infield and the garage area.

Famous Martinsville Speedway hotdogs and Pepsi products will be free while supplies last.

There will be NASCAR Whelen Modified and Late Model Stock cars on display, along with vintage race cars and Martinsville Speedway pace cars.

“We’re basically opening up all areas of the track for tours on the 24th,” said Campbell. “We know most folks have only seen Martinsville Speedway from the grandstands or television. This will give them a chance to see it from every angle. We think it’s going to be fun for everybody.”

 Martinsville Speedway’s ticket office will be open during the open house. Anyone purchasing tickets to the TUMS QuikPak 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race during the open house will be entered in a drawing to win  a pair of tickets for the Bud Fan Zone on the morning of the TUMS QuikPak 500.