Photo credit: www.motorsport.com
Rockingham Speedway Set to Host NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series Races in 2025
Rockingham Speedway is poised for a significant comeback, as NASCAR prepares to return to the iconic track for the first time in over a decade. On the only off-weekend for the Cup Series in 2025, coinciding with Easter, both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Truck Series will take to the track known as ‘The Rock’. The Truck Series is scheduled for Friday, April 18, with the Xfinity cars headlining the weekend on Saturday, April 19.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Venue and Racing Innovation Officer, expressed enthusiasm about the event, stating, “Rockingham Speedway has a storied history in NASCAR, so we look forward to the return of the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series to the famed racetrack. 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.”
This marked revival will be particularly notable as it will represent the first Truck Series race at Rockingham since 2013 and the first Xfinity race since 2004. Historically, Rockingham hosted Cup races continuously from 1965 until the end of the 2004 season. Efforts to rekindle racing at the venue in the early 2010s saw limited success, as the series faced financial difficulties and the track changed hands several times over the years.
Reviving a Historic Venue
The renewed interest in Rockingham Speedway is reminiscent of the recent revival of North Wilkesboro Speedway. After years of neglect, North Wilkesboro was restored and now serves as a venue for the annual All-Star Race. The revitalization of Rockingham Speedway has been supported through funding from The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which aimed to stimulate recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
North Carolina governor Roy Cooper allocated substantial funds to aid the rejuvenation of various racetracks within the state, including $9 million targeted towards Rockingham for vital infrastructure upgrades. As a result, the track has undergone a comprehensive repaving, the addition of updated garages, a new media center, and several other enhancements in the timeframe of less than one year.
Dan Lovenheim, the owner of Rockingham Speedway, shared his excitement about the track’s revival, stating, “Rockingham Speedway is proud to welcome NASCAR and especially race fans from all over the state back to Richmond County. 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.”
Lovenheim also expressed gratitude towards Governor Cooper and the North Carolina Legislature for their support, emphasizing the anticipated return of NASCAR racing to Rockingham. “We’re looking forward to partnering with Track Enterprises and NASCAR to host the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series over Easter Weekend. We can’t wait to see the green flag wave again on NASCAR racing at The Rock,” he added.
The final NASCAR Cup race at Rockingham in 2004, where Matt Kenseth beat Kasey Kahne in a photo finish.
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Source
www.motorsport.com