Over the last few years, NASCAR has been experimenting with the schedule in multiple ways. Could Rockingham Speedway make a comeback? The Rock hasn’t hosted a Cup Series race in 20 years, but some are hoping it has a North Wilkesboro-esque return.
Right now, the only touring series that races at Rockingham Speedway is the SMART Modified Tour. However, the history of The Rock is much bigger than that. All three NASCAR national series have raced there in the past, ARCA, K&N, and other series.
The facility has undergone a lot of changes in recent years. As part of the same bill that allocated money to Charlotte Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro, Rockingham also received state funds.
Now the track is a multi-use entertainment facility capable of hosting music festivals and more. Not to mention, the track was repaved in 2022 to make it more suitable for NASCAR racing.
Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports does not believe that Rockingham Speedway will return to the Cup Series schedule in 2025. Then again, things are fluid and change quickly.
North Wilkesboro has shown that you can renovate a track and bring big events back. Even if it was dead and dormant for decades. Rockingham has stayed afloat, but has changed itself in the last few years.
While the Cup Series short track package is lacking at the moment, fans seem to want these tracks to return. Wilkesboro showed signs that it could put on great racing with the right package. Maybe Rockingham could do the same?
NASCAR has been doing a good job of trying to balance pleasing longtime fans with nostalgia events like Wilkesboro while also appealing to newer fans like with the LA Coliseum.
Rockingham Speedway would be another one for the long-time fans of the sport.
Local government wants NASCAR to return to Rockingham Speedway
In December 2023, the Rockingham government came together with one goal in mind – to bring NASCAR back to their track. That is a lofty goal. It is one that many small communities have longed for and few have gotten.
The one-mile oval, and “Little Rock” the half-mile oval are the biggest concerns for the government. With updates to those facilities, they believe that they can bring NASCAR and maybe other regional touring series like the CARS Tour to Rockingham.
“I think this board would agree that our number one goal here is to get NASCAR back in Rockingham,” Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Dr. Rick Watkins said in 2023.
Of course, working out the financial plan to achieve the goal of bringing back NASCAR is another thing. That will be for the local government to decide upon. As for now, don’t expect the Cup Series at The Rock.
Does that mean we won’t see the Truck or Xfinity Series at Rockingham Speedway? That is also uncertain, but I think it’s notable that Pockrass specifically mentioned the Cup Series.
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