Motorsport picture
The most recent effort to return NASCAR racing to the historic Rockingham Speedway is simply days away. Whereas the Cup Sequence drivers get pleasure from their one and solely off-weekend of the 2025 season, the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Sequence fields will head to ‘The Rock’ in a surprising revival of the North Carolina observe. The Vans will run on Friday, April 18 whereas the Xfinity drivers will participate within the ‘important occasion’ on Saturday, April 19.
Commercial
Talking on it final yr, NASCAR’s Govt Vice President Ben Kennedy mentioned of the observe: “Rockingham Speedway has a storied historical past in NASCAR, so we look ahead to the return of the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence and NASCAR Truck Sequence to the famed racetrack. The vacation race weekend at The Rock will provide the chance to showcase the long run stars of the game at a venue with a wealthy historical past.”
Will probably be the primary Truck Sequence race at Rockingham since 2013 and the primary Xfinity race there since 2004. Rockingham additionally hosted Cup races from 1965 by means of the 2004 season. However after almost 4 a long time, the game deserted the observe partly attributable to declining attendance. However it was additionally a sufferer of NASCAR’s ‘modernizing custom’ tactic, a now notorious phrase used to elucidate the shuttering of historic tracks in favor of recent, cookie-cutter amenities in profitable markets. Rockingham is positioned in a painfully rural a part of the state with lower than 10,000 residents. It was additionally laborious to justify with Charlotte Motor Speedway simply 80 miles away.
There was a short effort to revive Rockingham within the early 2010s with the Truck Sequence, however it solely lasted two years. The primary revival failed as the cash rapidly dried up, and the observe has been auctioned off a number of instances within the final 20 years. All hope was misplaced however after a fair older North Carolina quick observe rose from the grave in 2023 (North Wilkesboro), there was renewed hope that Rockingham may return.
The American Rescue Plan
So, how precisely is that this efficiently occurring in 2025? It isn’t dissimilar to the occasions surrounding North Wilkesboro Speedway’s unlikely resurrection. After falling into disrepair, North Wilkesboro was miraculously restored and now hosts the All-Star Race yearly. The funds for the venture got here from The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which deliberate to assist the nation recuperate from the impression of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commercial
North Carolina governor Roy Cooper allotted hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to 3 race tracks within the state – together with $10 million directed in the direction of Rockingham for infrastructure functions. Lower than one yr later, the 1.017-mile observe underwent an entire repave, up to date garages, a brand new media middle, and several other different enhancements.
The ultimate NASCAR Cup race at Rockingham in 2004, the place Matt Kenseth beat Kasey Kahne in a photograph end.
The ultimate NASCAR Cup race at Rockingham in 2004, the place Matt Kenseth beat Kasey Kahne in a photograph end.Motorsport Photographs
Motorsport Photographs
“Rockingham Speedway is proud to welcome NASCAR and particularly race followers from all around the state again to Richmond County,” mentioned Rockingham Speedway proprietor Dan Lovenheim when the return was formally confirmed. “Our crew has put an amazing quantity of labor and assets into modernizing the property and offering the realm with a vacation spot to be happy with. This second validates our plans. We’ve refreshed your complete facility and are keen to point out race followers what we’ve accomplished.
Commercial
“We’re wanting ahead to partnering with Monitor Enterprises and NASCAR to host the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence and NASCAR Truck Sequence over Easter Weekend. We’re additionally grateful to Governor Cooper and the North Carolina Legislature for sharing and investing in our imaginative and prescient. We are able to’t wait to see the inexperienced flag wave once more on NASCAR racing at The Rock.”
The entry listing for this weekend additionally options the return of former Rockingham race winner Kasey Kahne, who will run the Xfinity race for RCR. Will probably be his first race in a NASCAR inventory automotive in almost seven years. 4-time Indy 500 starter Katherine Legge may even participate within the Xfinity race.
75 drivers have entered this weekend’s occasions with 35 on the Truck Sequence entry listing and 40 combating for the 38 spots within the Xfinity Sequence discipline.
