ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County residents are invited to check out recent improvements and take their vehicles for a test drive down the strip at Rockingham Dragway.
The free open house event on Thursday — dubbed Meals, Wheels and Deals — is co-hosted by the Rock, the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority and the city of Rockingham. It’s scheduled to run from 5-7 p.m.
Current owners Dan VanHorn and Al Gennarelli, who are now almost midway through their second year behind the wheel, have been constantly making improvements to the facility since buying it from Steve Earwood.
Those upgrades include repaving a portion of the track and the staging lanes, a new shower facility, and the On the Rocks bar, which will be open for Thursday’s event.
For those not comfortable driving their own vehicles down the quarter-mile track, ride-alongs will be offered by drag racers.
Burger Bros will have its food truck on site and music will be provided by Chuck Smith and Nikki Fletcher. There will also be cornhole and a mechanical bull.
“This was such an amazing night last year and we are beyond excited to see it return this Thursday,” Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth said. “Come and witness why Rockingham Dragway remains the rock of tourism revenue in our community, drawing thousands of visitors to Richmond County year after year.”
Click here to see photos from last year’s event.
The open house comes just before the 26th annual Big John Memorial Bracket Championships, held Memorial Day weekend.
The Dragway has a full calendar for the 2024 season, with nearly every weekend booked until early December, including legacy events like the Super Chevy Show in September and the second Mopars at the Rock in November.
There are several non-racing events on the schedule: Rock Around and Find Out Battle of the Bands in June; and Brew’palooza in October.
The Rock also welcomes back Street Outlaws No Prep Kings in October.
See the track’s website and social media pages for more upcoming events.
