The Richard Petty Driving Experience will make its first visit to Martinsville Speedway this spring and offer race fans a chance to see the .526-mile speedway like never before.

Richard Petty and Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell made the announcement at Martinsville Speedway Tuesday afternoon.

The 2006 dates will include March 18 and 19 and will offer the Ride Along Experience ($99) where customers ride shotgun with professional instructors for three high-speed laps and the "Martinsville Experience," a custom-driving program ($399) offered only at Martinsville Speedway.

Participants in the "Martinsville Experience" will drive themselves for 12 laps after a brief orientation and instruction period.

Reservations to drive can be made by calling 1-800-BE-PETTY. There is no reservation required for the Ride Along, which will be offered first-come, first-serve each day.

"We are truly looking forward to offering our programs at this historic speedway" said seven-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup champion Petty. "I have such great memories of this place and our shop is located right down the road, it only makes sense that we run here and give fans an opportunity to see what makes this place so special."

"Richard Petty is still the King of Martinsville," said Campbell. "Nobody has ever come close to his 15 wins here. With all the history between Richard and Martinsville Speedway, it's going to give fans a chance to drive on a pretty challenging race track."