Rockingham Speedway
Rockingham Speedway opened on October 31, 1965, as North Carolina Motor Speedway. The track is located in Rockingham, North Carolina, and was built on former tobacco farmland. It measured 1.017 miles and featured high-banked, D-shaped turns that caused heavy tire wear, making tire management critical.
The track quickly became a staple in the NASCAR Cup Series, hosting its first race the same year it opened. Curtis Turner won the inaugural event. The track became known for its abrasive surface and unique racing challenges. Drivers needed both patience and skill to compete successfully.
In 1969, the track merged with the International Speedway Corporation. It became part of the NASCAR core circuit, earning two Cup Series dates annually. Some of the sport’s biggest names dominated at Rockingham. Richard Petty earned 11 wins. Cale Yarborough and David Pearson also found repeated success.
The track earned the nickname “The Rock” and became a favorite among drivers and teams. The February race often served as the second stop on the schedule, following Daytona. Its fall event occasionally played a role in shaping the championship due to its late-season timing.
Rockingham hosted a total of 78 NASCAR Cup Series races between 1965 and 2004. Other series like the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity) and Craftsman Truck Series also competed there, along with ARCA and regional tours.
The Business Shift That Silenced the Rock
By the early 2000s, NASCAR began expanding into larger markets. Rockingham, with its limited seating and location in a small town, was seen as less commercially viable. The rise of tracks in markets like Las Vegas, Chicago, and California created pressure on older, traditional venues.
In 2003, Speedway Motorsports Inc. acquired Rockingham in a deal involving the sale of North Carolina Speedway and its assets. The purchase led to the track losing one of its race dates. That date was reassigned to California Speedway in Fontana.
The final NASCAR Cup Series race at Rockingham was held on February 22, 2004. Matt Kenseth won the event. That year, the track’s remaining date was moved to Phoenix International Raceway. Rockingham was removed from the Cup schedule entirely.
The track continued hosting ARCA and grassroots events but lacked sustainable funding and major series support. In 2007, the facility was sold at auction to former NASCAR driver Andy Hillenburg for $4.4 million. Hillenburg aimed to revive the speedway and keep it active.
Rockingham’s Revival
After its purchase, Rockingham reopened under Andy Hillenburg’s management. It hosted the ARCA Series and local racing events. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series returned in 2012 and 2013, with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson winning those races.
Despite competitive racing, the events faced low attendance and sponsorship struggles. By 2014, NASCAR removed Rockingham from the Truck Series schedule. The track went quiet again on the national scene.
In 2021, Rockingham Speedway received a $9 million grant from the North Carolina state budget, sourced through the American Rescue Plan. The funding supported major upgrades, including repaving parts of the surface, improving safety barriers, and enhancing infrastructure.
These upgrades set the stage for a national comeback. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will officially return to the NASCAR calendar, hosting a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race. This marks the first national series event at the track in over a decade and confirms its re-entry into the sport’s competitive landscape.
Preparations are ongoing, with NASCAR teams expected to test at the facility ahead of the race. The track’s abrasive surface and tight racing lines remain intact, ensuring its trademark challenge for drivers. The return is being viewed as both a celebration of history and a revival of one of NASCAR’s most beloved short tracks.