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Could the legendary Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina be primed for a return to the NASCAR schedule?
NASCAR has not raced at the track since 2013 and the final NASCAR Cup Series race at the track took place all the wya back in 2004.
But millions of dollars worth of a state funding have been poured into the track and now county commissioners are hoping for additional funding in hopes of making the track “race ready.”
“The obvious goal… [is] getting NASCAR back,” Chairman Jeff Smart stated at a board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday. “Not only for financial reasons, but for quality of life. Bring it back. Let’s bring racing back to the rock. That’s what we are doing this for.”
“I think this board would agree that our number one goal here is to get NASCAR back in Rockingham,” vice-chairman Rick Watkins responded.
Rockingham, affectionately known as “The Rock” in racing circles, hosted its first race in 1965. Legends such as Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt have all won at the track.
But it fell into disrepair in the early 2000s due to shrinking attendance and funding issues.
Matt Kenseth won the final NASCAR Cup Series race at the speedway in February of 2002.
Rockingham Speedway Hoping To Follow In Footsteps Of North Wilkesboro
Fans don’t have to look far to find precedent for a track revitalization. After nearly 30 years away, NASCAR returned to historic North Wilkesboro Speedway this past season for the series’ All-Star Race.
Kyle Larson went on to win the event. Though it was sadly marred by a racist radio message to driver Bubba Wallace. Wallace is the lone African American driver in the series.
Rockingham will hope it can use North Wilkesboro as a blueprint and find its way back to the highest level of the sport.