Home Local News Moonshine and Motorsports Trail revs up at Rockingham Speedway

Moonshine and Motorsports Trail revs up at Rockingham Speedway

NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace, left, and N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper unveil the Rockingham Speedway marker for the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail inside the Papa Joe Hendrick Garage on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. Photos by William R. Toler - Richmond Observer

ROCKINGHAM — The roots of stock car racing dig back to the days of transporting bootleg liquor.

Some drivers, including NASCAR great Junior Johnson and local legend Flukie Hawkins, even got their starts hauling hooch.

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is celebrating that legacy by brewing up the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail, which cranked up Thursday at Rockingham Speedway and Entertainment Complex.

“The Moonshine and Motorsports Trail is a forward-thinking and intuitive path for the great state of North Carolina to take ownership of its rich history in distilling, as well as what is now a multi-billion-dollar industry of stock-car racing,” said track representative Justin Jones. “Rockingham Speedway is humbled and honored to be a part of this trail. Our history in these subjects is both legendary — but legends never die.”

The trail was part of the 2021 state budget that also provided funding for the Rock, as well as North Wilkesboro Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, with Rockingham seeing the smallest allocation.

“This year we’ve gotta figure out how we can get in the same lane as Charlotte and North Wilkesboro,” Jones joked.

Contrary to public perception, the money went to the counties — not the tracks — for infrastructure improvements. Around $3 million was left to help repave the historic oval, with the bulk of the allocation going toward the installation of a wastewater line.

The jump-start was held in the Papa Joe Hendrick Garage with a number of guests, including NASCAR legend Rusty Wallace, DNCR Secretary Reid Wilson and Gov. Roy Cooper.

“I’ve seen and heard about the Rock for years, but to actually drive through the tunnel … that’s special,” Wilson said, complimenting the barrel-shaped podium.
“In many ways, our department is tasked with telling the story of North Carolina, Wilson continued. “And without a doubt, motorsports are a key element of our history and our culture.

“Each one of our racetracks has incredible and colorful stories to tell, and each of them has an exciting opportunity to highlight that local history … to attract tourism and boost economic vitality across the state, particularly in rural areas.”

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Reid Wilson talks about the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail.

Wilson said the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail was created to highlight the state’s unique“intertwined history” of distilling and motorsports.

“The trail will help preserve motorsports and distilling history and culture and enhance those economic industries’ strength going forward,” Wilson said.

The trail will include traveling exhibits, travel itineraries, educational materials, events and promotion of all of the sites, according to Wilson.

In addition to the tracks at Rockingham, North Wilkesboro and Charlotte, other pit stops along the trail, which will be designated with a marker, are:

  • The NASCAR Hall of Fame and Museum in Charlotte
  • The North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh
  • Stone Mountain State Park in in Alleghany and Wilkes counties
  • The Occoneechee Speedway near Hillsborough
  • Museum of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City

Wilson said while most people think of the mountains when it comes to moonshine in North Carolina, the Albemarle region was a white lightning hub along the coast.

The Moonshine and Motorsports Trail is just one highlighted by the state as 2023 has been designated “Year of the Trail.”

“We will be promoting both physical trails in parks or greenways … also cultural trails like this one,” Wilson said. “We will be highlighting outdoor recreation and our diverse culture and history, and all of this, we believe, will drive tourism and local economies.”

Gov. Roy Cooper talks about the racing industry’s impact on North Carolina’s economy.

Cooper had originally proposed $8 million for Rockingham Speedway in his budget in 2019, which included track improvements and the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the speedway and Rockingham Dragway.

The governor said the state was able to invest $45 million in racetracks across the state thanks to the American Rescue Plan.

“I’ve taken a lot of people to racing events before in our efforts to bring economic development to our state, and you know what they say when they’re walking around, they say, ‘I smell money,’” Cooper said. “Racing puts money in the pockets of everyday North Carolinans. Not only that, it gives people something to do that they like to do and it helps to put us on the map nationally as a place to be.

“We are the birthplace of NASCAR and we need to be excited about that and we need to continue to tout that,” the governor continued. “So this celebration today is an important start. I think we need to continue to do a lot more to bolster this sport and to make sure that it thrives in our state.”

(Editor’s Note: Daytona Beach, Florida, is the birthplace of NASCAR. 2-3-23)

Following his speech, Cooper was presented with custom flag made from distillery barrels and a moonshine pie made by a woman in Mount Airy.

Off to the side of the seating area was a stock car with Wallace’s “Midnight” paint scheme.

Wallace holds the track lap record at 23.167 seconds and had five Cup Series wins at the Rock, including three consecutive (both races in ‘93 and February of ‘94). The only other driver with three in a row is Richard Petty. In the Xfinity Series (formerly the Busch Series), Mark Martin and Jamie McMurray each have four consecutive wins.

“The last time I was here was over 15 years ago,” Wallace said. “And my son, Greg, and I drove through the tunnel and I went, ‘Wow, what a lot of memories.’

“As soon as I looked up, I saw this massive track, all repaved, and I said, ‘We’re back in a superspeedway.’”

Wallace said Rockingham is one of his favorite tracks and recalled a wreck with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.

“I remember going into Turn 3, and me and Earnhardt running side by side, he was a lap down … I got sideways and hit him, he got up and hit the wall, I went on and won the race.”

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As Wallace was heading back to the make-shift landing strip at Rockingham Dragway with his trophy, “… a big Earnhardt fan came at me because I accidentally got Dale into the wall and she chased me all the way down the back of those grandstands over to that dragstrip.”

Wallace said he was happy to see the track being revitalized “…and hopefully some big races back here.”

The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, which gives individuals an opportunity to drive or ride around the track in a stock car, returns to the Rock in August.

Cooper, addressing Wallace, said that although there was a rain delay for Thursday’s event, he plans to come back and take a ride around the track — with Wallace behind the wheel.

Rusty Wallace is one of two drivers to have three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series wins at Rockingham. The other is Richard Petty.

Jeff Smart, chairman of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners, said he learned a few months ago that the historic track would be the first announced marker for the trail.

“This designation will … further serve to instill a sense of pride and ownership of the lasting symbols in two of our most famous legacies — distilling and motorsports,” Smart said. “We rightly view this speedway and the adjacent Rockingham Dragway as valued assets in our county and we are so pleased and honored to have our governor…to recognize the speedway as an important stop on this trail.”

Other dignitaries included: representatives from the city of Rockingham and Richmond County Board of Commissioners and county government; Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond; representatives from Wilkes County; Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Guilford; Rep. Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes; former state Rep. Ken Goodman; former state representative, insurance commissioner and current DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin; and former Rockingham mayor, state senator and current Chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Gene McLaurin.

McLaurin was mayor of Rockingham when the original SAFER barriers were installed, and when NASCAR pulled out in favor of larger tracks and larger markets.

“I think NASCAR has learned a lesson, that they left their core fanbase,” McLaurin said, adding that the sanctioning body should return to racing’s roots.
“Rockingham is where the driver’s loved to come, the fans loved this track,” he continued. “It’s a one-mile track, which tells you it’s a place where there’s exciting racing that goes on.
McLaurin said a problem with the larger speedways is spectators can’t see the entire track — unlike at Rockingham.

“I’m just excited to know that we’ve got progress happening here again,” McLaurin said.

Rockingham Speedway’s Justin Jones, left, listens as Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, recalls parking cars at the track in his youth.

The Moonshine and Motorsports Trail, McLaurin added, will not just have an economic impact on Richmond County, but surrounding counties as well.

Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth said the trail helps to reestablish local racing roots and “will most definitely have a positive impact on the community, the region, and especially on tourism-related travel to Richmond County.”

“Motorsports and Richmond County go together like peanut butter and jelly,” said Lambeth. “They both exist separately, but are better together. Historically, the racing industry has been a substantial economic driver in our community and one of, if not the most, consistent and substantial sources of our tourism revenue.

“We are so grateful for the support from Governor Roy Cooper, our local and state officials, and everyone else who has contributed to the resurgence of the sport in our county.”

Kristi Richardson King, president of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, is no stranger to the motorsports industry.

She started her career as the first female public relations director at the Rock, which was called North Carolina Speedway at the time, and later worked at Talladega Superspeedway and with NASCAR.

“This is a tremendous opportunity and honor for Richmond County to be part of this statewide initiative,” King said. “It will bring additional exposure to this area which will allow existing businesses to thrive and new businesses to explore a new market.

“Motorsports has always been an integral part of Richmond County and this is a natural fit to be included.”

Justin Jones explains future plans for Rockingham Speedway.

During the event, Jones also proclaimed: “We’re bringing racing back to the Rock.”

While the full schedule for the 2023 season hasn’t yet been released, this year’s events include a SMART Modified race at Little Rock in October, followed a few weeks later by the Grand National Super Series All Star Race.

MB Drift, which has been at Rockingham since 2021, is returning for its third season with six events.

Jones said the company has invested millions in resurfacing the track,painting, having NASCAR-approved SAFER barriers reinstalled, landscaping the surrounding 250 acres and renovating restroom facilities, offices and concession stands.

Future plans, Jones added, include adding lights to the main track and Little Rock and the construction of a new dirt track dubbed “Dirty Rock” at the back of the property, as well as installing new HVAC units in the suites and elevators in the tower.

The track will be hosting its second Open House on Saturday, March 4.

“Racing has been an important part of North Carolina’s history, and we are part of that history,” Jones said. “And racing can be, should be and will be a part of North Carolina’s future. It can be bigger and better than ever right here at Rockingham Speedway … this great entertainment complex for all the fans and families to come here and enjoy themselves and bring this track back to its former glory.”

NOTE: This story was modified to add a name. 8:51 p.m. 2-2-23



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Managing Editor William R. Toler is an award-winning writer and photographer with experience in print, television and online media.