Rockingham Speedway

Rockingham Speedway, located in Richmond County, North Carolina, is a historic American motorsports venue known affectionately as “The Rock.” Since first opening on October 31, 1965, it has played a significant role in the landscape of stock car racing in the United States. Over the decades, Rockingham Speedway has hosted races in NASCAR’s premier and developmental series and remains an important site in motorsports with its recent resurgence in racing events as of 2025.

History

Originally named North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham was constructed beginning in 1964 led by Darlington Raceway founder Harold Brasington and businessman W. R. “Bill” Land on a 175-acre site near U.S. Route 1 and North Carolina Highway 177. The track debuted with a 500-mile NASCAR Grand National Series race known as the American 500, won by Curtis Turner who became the first victor in 1965. Initially built as a flat 1-mile oval, the speedway underwent a major reconfiguration in 1969, becoming a high-banked, D-shaped oval measuring just over one mile, enhancing its challenge and appeal.

The track has gone through several ownership changes and name adjustments, including a period as North Carolina Speedway starting in 1996, before eventually adopting the Rockingham Speedway title in October 2007. For nearly 40 years, it was a staple on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar, hosting two race weekends annually until 2004. The departure of NASCAR’s premier series was attributed to factors such as aging facilities, reduced amenities, and shifts in NASCAR’s market focus toward larger venues.

After falling largely dormant for much of the 2010s following NASCAR’s exit, the speedway was revived in 2018 under new ownership led by Dan Lovenheim and renovated as a multi-purpose racing complex. Following substantial upgrades, NASCAR returned to Rockingham Speedway in 2025 with scheduled races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Supporting events like ThunderFest, featuring live music and festivities, accompany race weekends, underscoring the venue’s renewed importance in motorsports culture.

Most Famous Races Held

Rockingham Speedway’s rich history includes hosting the American 500, the Mason-Dixon 500, and the Goodwrench 500, attracting legendary drivers like Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt, and Matt Kenseth. Notably, Richard Petty won 11 races at Rockingham, while Kenseth secured the last NASCAR Cup Series victory there in 2004. The track has also been known for its abrasive surface, imposing tough tire management strategies that shaped many memorable and strategic NASCAR battles over the years. The return of NASCAR trucks and developmental series to the venue after a long hiatus marks a new chapter in its racing legacy.

Track Information

Rockingham Speedway is a 0.94-mile (1.51 km) D-shaped oval with 22 degrees of banking in the first two turns and 25 degrees in turns three and four, with 8 degrees of banking on the straights. The track surface is historically abrasive, demanding careful tire preservation from drivers. An infield road course was added in 1977, combining a 1.5-mile layout with sections of the oval to form a versatile racing surface. Additionally, a half-mile replica oval known as “Little Rock” was constructed outside the main track in 2008, modeled after Martinsville Speedway. The facility features seating capacity once peaking at over 60,000 but currently accommodates approximately 32,000 spectators following renovations. It is well served by major highways, including U.S. Route 1 and North Carolina Highway 177.

While Rockingham Speedway faced periods of inactivity and financial challenges, it stands as a symbol of American stock car heritage and continues to evolve as a competitive and cultural hub for motorsports.