Dale Earnhardt Jr Gives His Approval After Legendary Track Announces Its Plans to Return to NASCAR

Eerie silence grabbed hold of the notorious Rockingham Speedway (RS) on the very first lap of racing a week after the death of Dale Earnhardt. The NASCAR community was still coming to terms with the veteran’s tragic death when his son’s #8 Chevrolet got rammed into the wall following a cascading havoc of staggered cars between Turn 3 and 4. Although the car was permanently crippled, Junior made it out safe with a limp and mild bruises.

Fast forward two decades to the present—when state officials decided to turn the pages to bring back RS, to say Junior “learned to love” what once was a flat, one-mile oval would be an understatement. As part of a recent development, there are now positive signs that could potentially pave the way for Xfinity Series, Cup Series, and CARS Tour events to feature on the iconic track. At least that was the sentiment echoed by veteran Dale Earnhardt Jr. The Pied Piper of Daytona tweeted,

Since its inception in 1965, the Rock, as the track is popularly known, has been an iconic venue in the history of the Cup Series, hosting 42 races until 2004. The Subway 400 was the last NASCAR race held where race fans saw one of the closest race finishes. Matt Kenseth outmaneuvered rookie Kasey Kahne to take the checkered by 0.010 seconds.

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Successfully hosting a NASCAR race demands more than just top-notch seating infrastructure; it requires a well-designed racing track. This challenge is underscored by the Rock’s history, marked by issues in 2004, including dwindling attendance and neglect in the management and repair of the racetrack. Reviving its glory days now poses a formidable task, one that necessitates a strategic and comprehensive approach.

Money is “progress”: State officials are on board

Now, in a move to resurrect it, RS was granted $10 million by the authorities, and now the board of directors is contemplating how to allocate the funds. A report by Sportsnaut indicates that the board has agreed during a meeting that NASCAR would make a comeback to its legendary home. The pavement revamp on the track saw them spend $3 million and another million grant was sent through for additional facility improvements.

The County Commissioner Andy Grooms said, “My biggest thing…is for the track is I want it to go the big track. I don’t want anything that comes through the board…necessarily saying that we agree that (commerce) can look at this and spend it how you want. I want what we vote on to go to that track and bring back NASCAR.”

Chairman Jeff Smart echoed that sentiment. “The obvious goal… [is] getting NASCAR back,” Smart said. “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.”

The board of commissioners cannot decide how the Department of Commerce allocates the money for the track owners but they can make suggestions. Looking at how the North Wilkesboro Speedway made its way back, there is hope that something similar along these lines can be made possible for Rockingham Speedway as well.

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