The Rock Welcomes Back NASCAR

Iconic North Carolina Track Welcomes NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Aug. 29, 2024) – For the first time in over a decade NASCAR will return to the south-central North Carolina Piedmont for the highly anticipated return of major league stock car racing to Rockingham Speedway.

Today, Track Enterprises announced it has reached an agreement with Rockingham Speedway ownership to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series back to the renowned one-mile oval April 18-19, 2025.

“The entire Track Enterprises team is eager and proud to be working with Dan Lovenheim and everyone at Rockingham Speedway to bring the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series back to one of the most storied venues in NASCAR’s proud history,” said Bob Sargent, President, Track Enterprises. “We are very fortunate to work with the professional staff at NASCAR and the incredible drivers and teams who will be racing with us. This is shaping up to be a great Easter weekend for the fans and everyone involved.”

The Xfinity Series was a regular player at the historic venue from 1982-2004 and features a cast of winners who went on to be some of the sport’s most respected names including David Pearson, Sam Ard, Dale Earnhardt Sr., Harry Gant, Mark Martin, Terry Labonte and Jamie McMurray.

Martin was an indomitable force at Rockingham in Xfinity Series competition throughout his career having collected 11 wins in 25 starts, including four straight during the 1996 and 1997 seasons. McMurray matched Martin’s four-peat by recording victories in the most recent Xfinity Series races at “The Rock.”

The CRAFTSMAN Truck Series raced at Rockingham twice from 2012-2013 with Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson collecting the victories for late team owner Steve Turner and Turner Motorsports. Matt Crafton, a 25-year CRAFTSMAN Truck Series veteran, is the only current series regular to have competed at the high-banked, D-shaped oval when the division last raced there 11 years ago.

Separate from Larson, current NASCAR Cup Series competitors Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace were all part of the field when the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series last tested its mettle at Rockingham, just over a decade ago.

“Rockingham Speedway has a storied history in NASCAR, so we look forward to the return of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series to the famed racetrack,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR Executive Vice President, Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer. “The holiday race weekend at The Rock will offer the opportunity to showcase the future stars of the sport at a venue with a rich history.”

The return of NASCAR to The Rock will have an impact on neighboring Moore County with race fans filling available hotel rooms and short-term rentals, as well as supporting local businesses like restaurants and other retail outlets.

“Congratulations to ‘The Rock’ for encouraging NASCAR to return to one of the most historic racetracks in the sport,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “Just like North Wilkesboro, race fans are excited to see the sport return to its roots and venerable venues. That race weekend next April will have a significant impact on our lodging and hospitality partners along with golfers also here for peak spring golf season.”

Rockingham Speedway, formerly named North Carolina Motor Speedway, was a staple on the Cup Series schedule for nearly 40 years and included a veritable who’s who of NASCAR on its list of previous winners.

“Rockingham Speedway is proud to welcome NASCAR and especially race fans from all over the state back to Richmond County,” said Rockingham Speedway owner Dan Lovenheim. “Our team has put a tremendous amount of work and resources into modernizing the property and providing the area with a destination to be proud of. This moment validates our plans. We’ve refreshed the entire facility and are eager to show race fans what we’ve done. We’re looking forward to partnering with Track Enterprises and NASCAR to host the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series over Easter Weekend. We’re also thankful to Governor Cooper and the North Carolina Legislature for sharing and investing in our vision. We can’t wait to see the green flag wave again on NASCAR racing at The Rock.”

Tickets for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Log on to RacetheRock.com for continuing details and updates.

About Rockingham Speedway …

Located in Richmond County, N.C., Rockingham Speedway opened as a flat, one-mile oval on Oct. 31, 1965. It was reconfigured to a one-mile (1.017 miles) high-banked, D-shaped oval in 1969.

In 2018, a new ownership group took over the facility and renamed it Rockingham Speedway & Entertainment Complex. On Nov. 18, 2021, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper signed the 2021-2022 North Carolina state budget allocating $9 million to support reinvestment in the facility. The state funds, along with ownership investment, allowed for redevelopment of the racetrack including the racing surface and extensive repairs. Today, the facility hosts a wide variety of events including karting, road racing, endurance racing, concerts and more. In 2025, Rockingham Speedway will welcome the return of NASCAR for the first time since 2013.