Despite Reluctance From the Community, NASCAR Moves Forward With Dodgy Plan for Rockingham Speedway

“I think a Cup event would be fantastic here. I used to enjoy watching it and being a part of it the one year I was.” said Kasey Kahne as Rockingham Speedway returned to life in 2025, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series race felt like a love letter to fans. The stands were packed, with every seat sold out, and the TV numbers told an even bigger story—5.6 million viewers tuned in, a 20% surge from the previous year. The event was a triumph, a reminder of why this North Carolina track holds such a special place in racing hearts. But now, NASCAR’s got its sights set on something bigger: bringing the Cup Series back to Rockingham. And that’s where the trouble starts.

The idea sounds like a dream—Cup cars tearing around the iconic 1.017-mile oval, rekindling memories of legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. But the NASCAR community isn’t sold. From drivers to insiders to fans, there’s a chorus of doubt, and it’s getting louder. Dale Earnhardt Jr., a fan favorite and voice of reason, didn’t mince words on his Dale Jr. Download podcast. He said, “My thought is that this might not need to be a Cup race. I’m sure people are clamoring to see Cup go back there, but the way the Cup car races, isn’t it funny? Like we’re sitting here and going, ‘Yeah, this is the first time I’ve ever experienced this’.”

Here’s the raw truth, straight from the people who know best. Doug Rice from the PRN Network shared, “I don’t think there’s any need right now for everybody to say, Oh, they gotta get the Cup race. This was really good, let this work and let this become their place in the NASCAR schedule.”

The infrastructure isn’t there, and the cost to fix it? Astronomical. Cup cars are different beasts. It’s not just about passion—it’s about safety and competition. Connor Zilisch’s crash at Talladega showed just how important these SAFER barriers are. But it’s not just about the barriers. Just bringing the track to racing condition cost NASCAR millions of dollars. How much more can it go for the Cup Series to return?

NASCAR’s leadership, though, is pushing full throttle. Steve O’Donnell, only recently promoted to the role of NASCAR president, is enthusiastic about the sport’s return to the track. He said NASCAR would, “love to keep it as an Xfinity Series and Truck Series staple, and maybe bring in more Cup drivers to race that weekend. You never know what the future holds beyond that.” 

So why is NASCAR so gung-ho? The Xfinity race holds the answer. The viewership boom and packed stands proved Rockingham still has pull. Phelps and Deery see a goldmine, banking on nostalgia to drive ticket sales and TV ratings. But fans aren’t blind to the risks. On X, the debate is heated—some call it a “dodgy plan,” others beg NASCAR to heed Earnhardt’s warnings. One user posted, “Fix the track or leave it alone. Don’t tarnish Rockingham’s legacy.” Another pointed out the cost: “Millions to upgrade? Good luck selling that to sponsors.”

The reality is, Rockingham’s revival is a high-stakes gamble. The Xfinity race showed its magic, with drivers like Sammy Smith praising the “pure racing” feel. But the Cup Series is a different beast, with faster cars, bigger crowds, and stricter safety standards. NASCAR’s history with Rockingham adds another layer. The track hosted Cup races from 1965 to 2004, but financial woes and declining attendance led to its closure. The 2025 Xfinity return was a test, and it passed with flying colors. But a Cup Series comeback isn’t just about repeating that success—it’s about building something sustainable.

The coming few weeks will be key to determining if Rockingham stays. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s chief venue and racing innovations officer, explained, “And I think the great part about it is we have great interest for new events in new markets. I would say now more than ever we have to be more thoughtful and strategic in any moves that we make, just because (when) we add a new event, it’s gotta come from somewhere. I would say for Rockingham in particular, like all other tracks and promoters out there, it’s on the radar for sure (for a Cup date). I think it’s something you want to see how it does the first few years, and then if it’s successful, it’s something that we’ll put in our consideration set.”

For now, all fans can do is wait. In the meantime, let’s take a look at another viewership win, but this one is coming from a YouTuber turned NASCAR fanatic!

Cleetus McFarland’s Viewership Win at Talladega

Cleetus McFarland, the YouTube sensation whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, roared to a thrilling P10 at the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 at Talladega. Starting 24th in the No. 30 Ford for Rette Jones Racing, he battled a crippling setback when a valve spring broke on lap five. “About lap five, we broke a valve spring,” Mitchell said post-race. “They told us, ‘The valve train’s rattling, go see what it’ll do.’”

His massive fanbase tuned in, with 70,000 viewers glued to his onboard camera, as BrakeHard posted on X: “10th place finish for Cleetus McFarland! 70k viewers watching his in-car camera on NASCAR’s YouTube channel. Big content weekend for NASCAR/ARCA.” His post-race FOX Sports interview, bursting with his signature charm, racked up 5.8 million views, proving he’s a magnet for motorsport fans.

Despite the power loss, Mitchell stayed in the draft, dodging a huge wreck. “I just knew that if I fell out of the draft, I was done,” he said, crediting his inner Greg Biffle. “We just held on, and enough people wrecked and made mistakes (that) we were able to finish number 10.” He laughed about his escape: “That was because my sleeves are cut off. Tucked one of my wings, and just… dodged right out of there, said, ‘Hell no, brother. You ain’t taking me out.’”

In his series debut, Cleetus showed he’s not just a YouTuber—he’s a racer who brings heart and a massive audience to the track. His Talladega run left us in awe, cheering for his next lap in the spotlight. Insiders estimate renovations could cost tens of millions—new pavement, wider turns, better grandstands, and more. Deery claims they’re working on it, but details are scarce.