While NASCAR has a penchant for crippling race tracks (read: Denny Hamlin’s criticism of SMI’s faulty repaving), the sanctioning body is a healer as well. The North Wilkesboro track was resuscitated last year with the help of veteran racers. Yesterday’s race further pushed back its 27 years of absence from the Cup schedule. 

Now another race track is on the cards for such a renovation. Rockingham Speedway used to see the likes of evergreen racers burning rubber. Exactly 20 years ago, the track called it a day from NASCAR’s premier series. But its new owner is confident that the winds of change are afoot for this track.

Track owner casts hope into returning track to NASCAR

Rockingham Speedway was active in the golden era of American motorsport: 1965 to 2004. The hallowed 1.017-mile race track hosted 78 Cup races before falling into disrepair. As the sport evolved and utilized the playoff format for the first time in 2004, “The Rock” would also be one of the things it left in the past.

Two decades after weeds and corrugated metal turned the track into an eyesore, revival efforts are in full swing. A Raleigh-based group purchased “The Rock” in 2018, and is slowly inching toward a NASCAR comeback. Track owner Dan Lovenheim said in an interview: “We could’ve had it NASCAR-ready by this point if needed, but there was no need. So we focused our energy on (all parts of the venue, not just the main oval).”

Then Lovenheim addressed the pressing concern: “Everybody is focused on that one thing. ‘Hey, is it going to be NASCAR ready?’” Then he dropped a proud and exciting five-word confirmation: “Big Rock will be NASCAR-ready,” and added, “by the end of 2024, meaning you’ll be able to hold your Truck race — you could hold a Cup race there if you want to.”

This marks a special turn of events for diehard NASCAR fans. After North Wilkesboro’s return from the dead, hopes are drumming up for Rockingham as well. The last race held at “The Rock” spelled thrill and danger. Defending Winston Cup champion beat rookie Kasey Kahne by just 0.010 secs in a photo-finish. Veteran Carl Long flipped down the backstretch and claimed to see people eating fried chicken in the grandstands while airborne.

Hopefully, these thrilling moments will make a comeback soon in Rockinham’s revival, leaving current NASCAR Cup drivers excited as well.

Racers love the rumor fueled by the track owner

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The Cup garage is certainly pumped for a blast from the past with Rockingham’s rumored return. Christopher Bell is fascinated by its historical significance and a possible diversification of the schedule, calling it a “win-win”. Alex Bowman feels that the current Next Gen car “would put on a really good show there.”

But Bubba Wallace may be more excited, as he has experience running on the track. After NASCAR left, Rockingham occasionally held grassroots races. Wallace competed in them earlier in his career, saying he “loves” The Rock. He also added that he was not too sure that renovations were required for the track. But Wallace was overall optimistic: “Then again, if we can go here (as in North Wilkesboro), we can go there.”

Hence, the mile-long oval track is harnessing interest from fans and drivers alike, and may soon be on NASCAR’s radar again.