NASCAR has just unveiled its 2025 schedule, and there’s exciting news to share: ‘The Rock is back!’ Can you believe it’s been ten years since Rockingham Speedway closed its doors? Soon, the track will once again echo with the roar of engines, the cheers of enthusiastic fans, and the thrill of competitive racing. This historic venue is set to host both the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series during the Cup Series’ only off-weekend in 2025.
Mark your calendars for Friday, April 18, when the Truck Series will hit the track, followed by the Xfinity Series on Saturday, April 19. While the Cup Series won’t be racing there, that won’t stop our favorite Cup drivers from making an appearance at this legendary location. And there’s a bonus!
The Rock is a true legend! From Matt Kenseth’s final victory in 2004 to Dale Earnhardt’s unforgettable 1994 win, where he narrowly edged out Rick Mast to secure his seventh Cup Series title, Rockingham Speedway has a rich history. It was a staple on the NASCAR National Series schedule, hosting 120 races across the Cup and Xfinity Series from 1965 to 2004.
NASCAR Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy shared that after persistent efforts, the track is primed for an exhilarating race. On a recent Sirius XM NASCAR Radio episode, he remarked, “It’s been a while since we have been back to The Rock, but we have been there a number of times. The facility looks like it is in great condition. They are going to do a really good job promoting it.”
In an exciting update for NASCAR enthusiasts, Kennedy shared, “We won’t have Cup Series racing that weekend. However, we might see a few of our Cup drivers eager to compete in a Truck or Xfinity car during that time. It’s going to be a thrilling spectacle.” As Kennedy pointed out, while the Xfinity and Truck series will take to the track at Rockingham, the Cup Series will be enjoying its Easter break that weekend—the only pause drivers will have throughout the season. Many Cup drivers are likely to seize the chance to race on the historic track instead of taking a break. But what led to the track’s lengthy closure?
During NASCAR’s growth in the early 2000s, Rockingham Speedway struggled to keep pace as the sport shifted its focus to newer venues. Yet, the legendary track remained in the hearts of fans, with ongoing efforts to bring it back after it was dropped from the Cup and Xfinity Series schedules in 2004. The track made a brief appearance in the ARCA Menards Series in 2008 but was again sidelined by 2010. It saw a short-lived return to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with races in 2012 and 2013, but those events did not yield the desired success.
Fast forward to 2018, when serious steps were taken to revive the track. Rockingham Properties LLC acquired the historic NASCAR venue for $2.8 million, pledging to restore it. Renovations began, bolstered by government support to expedite the process. In May 2022, the State of North Carolina allocated $9 million to Rockingham Speedway as part of a broader $45.8 million grant initiative designed to assist 17 motorsports venues in recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Former drivers who still remember ‘The Rock’ vividly
The NASCAR Truck Series didn’t feature Rockingham Speedway during its tenure on the Cup and Xfinity Series schedules, but it did make a short return in 2012 and 2013. Kasey Kahne and Kyle Larson took home victories in those races. Several current Cup Series drivers, such as Ryan Blaney, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, and Chase Elliott, participated in those Truck Series events at Rockingham. They would surely be thrilled to return after a decade away!
It’s been quite some time since Rockingham graced the NASCAR schedule, leaving few drivers in the Xfinity or Truck Series today with prior experience there. However, a handful, including Jeb Burton, Matt Crafton, Ty Dillon, Grant Enfinger, and Ryan Sieg, have raced at Rockingham during their National Series careers. Before it ceased operations in 2004, Rockingham Speedway hosted 42 NASCAR Xfinity Series races from 1982 to 2004, with Jamie McMurray clinching the last four. Who knows, perhaps the retired veteran might make a return in the 2025 season.
How excited are you for ‘The Rock’? What memories do you have from past races and moments? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
