ROCKINGHAM — Thousands of classic cars are expected to roll into Thunder Alley next week as MotorTrend’s Hot Rod Power Tour makes a stop at Rockingham Speedway.
The Rock will be the third stop on the tour’s week-long trek through the south as part of the celebration of Hot Rod Magazine’s 75th anniversary.
Billed as “America’s largest traveling car show,” the tour is slated to bring to the iconic track 6,000 classic cars, hot rods and trucks from 48 states, three Canadian provinces and one from the United Kingdom.
“HOT ROD culture has defined generations of automotive customization and in 2023 we’re going into our biggest year ever for our 75th anniversary,” Editor-in-Chief John McGann said in a statement earlier this year. “The HOT ROD Power Tour is a must for enthusiasts and new car fans alike, as we commemorate our history, define our future and share what classic car culture has to offer today’s car enthusiasts.
“As we evolve in the digital era by offering audiences decades of historic content in the palm of their hand and expand our live events, we invite everyone to come together in what unites us all — our shared love of cars.”
The event, running from noon-6 p.m., will feature dyno competitions, a sponsor and vendor midway, autocross for registered participants, as well as games, giveaways and a performance by Fayetteville-based band Rivermist.
The tour will kick off at Atlanta Motor Speedway Monday, June 12, then move to the South Carolina State Fairgrounds before stopping at the Rock June 14. From there it will head to Zmax Dragway in Concord and end at Bristol Motor Speedway.
The tour is expected to have a significant impact on the local economy.
Richmond County Tourism Director Meghann Lambeth said in February that the Holiday Inn Express in Rockingham was already booked.
“We are so excited to welcome Hot Rod Power Tour back to the Rock,” Lambeth said Friday afternoon. “Being a stop on the 29th annual our is huge and we are more than honored to be one of the five tracks on the 2023 schedule. Having the largest traveling car show … is enormous for our community in every way, especially tourism.”
Registration is open for the event at hotrodpowertour.us and participants can sign up for one day or multiple days. Although admission is free, spectators and participants are required to register before arriving at the venue.
The tour previously rolled through Rockingham in 2018 on the way from Darlington Raceway to PNC Arena in Raleigh.
