ROCKINGHAM — Hemis and jet cars invade Rockingham Dragway this weekend for the second Mopars at the Rock for 2024.
The decision for two events came last year when the annual event, currently in its 33rd year, had to be moved from its original Easter weekend date to November.
Mopars the Rock will feature racing in the Modern Street Hemi Shootout series, co-founded by Dragway co-owner Dan VanHorn, including a Charger v. Challenger class. Modern Street will race on both Saturday and Sunday.
The event also incorporates a car show, swap meet and jet car showdown between Dawn Perdue in Wicked Sinsation v. Neil Esposito and the Jersey Attitude. The jet car exhibitions will be at 1 p.m., 3 p.m and 5 p.m.
Click here to see photos from the spring Mopars at the Rock.
Gates open for spectators at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. There will also be a test and tune under the lights on Friday evening starting at 6 p.m. The test and tune will also include jet car runs at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
On Thursday, the Dragway unveiled its latest mural, representing the annual Mopar event. The mural was painted by Daniel Webb — who painted another mural at the Rock and the postcard mural in downtown Rockingham — featuring the Mopar logo and several rat rods.
This week, the Dragway released its jam-packed schedule for 2025.
“We are always excited to announce racing here at Rockingham Dragway and doing so this year on the tail of our two-year anniversary of being track owners just felt right,” VanHorn told the RO. “There is nothing but meat in our initial release with world-class races.”
The schedule again features two iterations of Mopars at the Rock combined with Modern Street Hemi Shootout.
There are two other manufacturer-centered events, with Civil Wars Ford Mayhem June 6-8 and the annual Super Chevy Show Sept. 19-21. Brewpalooza returns for its second year Sept. 20 to coincide with the Super Chevy Show.
VanHorn and co-owner Al Generalli had a hole to fill in the schedule with the announcement earlier this year that there would no longer be any NMRA/NMCA shows. That gap is being filled April 10-12 with Sick at the Rock — the first of two events produced by Sick the Magazine. The other will be in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Click here to read about the NMRA/NMCA cancellation.
Dig or Die will be back at the backside of the track for three races of no prep action: March 21, 22; July 18-19; and December 5-6.
For the motorcycle enthusiasts, the schedule features a race for the All-Harley Drag Racing Association (May 30-31), Miss Bud Light Lime grudge bikes (Aug. 1-2, and Oct. 31-Nov. 1), the ManCup Series (Aug. 8-9), and the Jim McClure All Harley World Finals.
Click here to read about the record-breaking 2024 Jim McClure event.
Other notable events on the schedule include:
March: Second annual Billy Weeks Shamrock Challenge (15-16); Import Faceoff (23)
May: Rudy’s Spring Truck Jam (2-3); Street Car Braggin’ Rights (15-17); Big John Memorial Brack Championship (23-26)
September: NHRA Lucas Oil Series Double Divisional (16-19)
November: Freedom at the Rock (8); Holiday Jr Jam (28-30)
“Every year, schedules are touted as being the best ever,” VanHorn said. “This year we feel it’s legitimately great and there are still significant events to announce that we are not at liberty to release.
“Stay tuned, we are not done.”
See the complete schedule at the Dragway’s website and social media pages.
Click on the Rockingham Dragway tag below this story to see the RO’s coverage of the Rock.
