ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s legendary oval track is gearing up for its third annual open house — though not when originally planned.
The event was slated for this Saturday, but with rain in the forecast, Speedway officials announced Wednesday that it was postponed until July 13.
“This was a very difficult decision, but the right one,” Speedway officials said in a Facebook post. “The safety of everyone involved is our priority. We look forward to seeing you in July!”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the activities remain the same.
Stock Car Classics will return for the Rock Revival 100, with two exhibition races on the schedule.
The event will also feature exhibitions from Oak City Trucks, the Tarheel Sports Car Club and MB Drift.
The latter, a grassroots drifting series, made the Rock its new home starting with the 2021 season following the closure of Myrtle Beach Speedway in late 2020.
MB Drift has been a staple at Rockingham since, making use of the infield road course and the half-mile Little Rock.
Click here to read about the first competitive round of 2024.
The second round will be June 1-2.
Local musician Jonathan Robinson will perform the national anthem, with a flag presentation by the Richmond Senior High School Army JROTC color guard.
The event will close out with a performance by Rockingham native Erik Hawks, backed by the Hard Luck Band.
Hawks and the band performed at Rockingham Dragway last year for Civil Wars. Hawks and Robinson both played Rockingham’s SpringFest last month.
Rockingham Speedway was purchased in August 2018 and the action started in 2021, with a go-kart race at Little Rock.
The main oval and road course have both been repaved within the past two years.
Other motorsports events at the Rock, aside from MB Drift, have included races in the Allison Legacy Racing Series, FASS Big Rig Series, and a mini-stock race, as well as exhibitions from Monster Truckz. The track has also been used by groups like the Tarheel Sports Car Club and National Auto Sport Association.
Click here to read about the mini-stock race
Both Seat Time Racing Experience and the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience — scheduled to be at the open house — have provided an opportunity for folks to drive a stock car around the legendary track, which opened in 1965 and hosted NASCAR Cup races until 2004.
In 2023, MotorTrend brought the Hot Rod Power Tour to the Speedway, and came back to neighboring Rockingham Dragway for Hot Rod Drag Week.
Click here to see more from the Hot Rod Power Tour.
In addition to motorsports, the Speedway has hosted Zerbini Family Circus, a rodeo, and the annual Ducks Unlimited banquet. Last year, the track was also the site for the Hops and Hot Rods craft beer event.
Click here to see photos from Hops and Hot Rods.
Last year, the track also hosted the Tailgate ‘N Tallboys festival featuring a concert by several rising performers, with Bailey Zimmerman headlining.
Parking and admission to the open house are both free. Parking will be outside the track, with visitors accessing the infield through the tunnel near Turn 4.
Click here to read about the 2022 Open House.
Click here to read about the 2023 Open House.
