ROCKINGHAM — A couple of 30th anniversary events, the addition of a second race in the Modern Street Hemi Shootout series, more “back to basics” street car races and the return of staples like the NHRA Sportsman Doubleheader, the Super Chevy Show, the Holiday Jr. Jam and the “Big John” Leviner Memorial Weekend Bracket Championships highlight a diverse 2021 schedule announced by Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood.
Two events introduced by Earwood when he bought the iconic Carolina dragstrip in 1992 will be contested in 2021 for the 30th time: Griffin Motors MOPARs at the Rock on April 3 and the Jim McClure All-Harley Nitro World Finals featuring the Ray Price Top Fuel Challenge the weekend of Oct. 15-17.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years,” Earwood said. “When we ran the first MOPARs at the Rock in 1992, we had no idea how it would be received because, until we bought it, the track never had run anything but national events. Two races a year, that was it, one in the spring and one in the fall. Now, 30 years later, we’re proud to say we have one of the most active tracks in the country as well as one of the most diverse.”
That diversity is reflected in a host of specialty events including one in which manpower totally replaces horsepower. When the Rugged Maniacs series returns for the seventh straight year on April 10, competitors will be asked to check their vehicles at the door before they participate in the premier entry-level obstacle course race in North America, a three-mile test with 25 innovative obstacles.
Nevertheless, the cars still will be the stars at most events including those in the Modern Street Hemi Shootout, the series founded 12 years ago by Dan VanHorn that features the latest factory hot rods from Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, that makes Rockingham appearances on both May 14-16 and Nov. 12-13.
On the other end of the spectrum, in response to the “back to basics” trend that has energized the sport over the past several seasons, Earwood confirmed the Oct. 1-2 return of the “Street Car Takeover” event that made its Rock debut last fall. The track also will host a pair of “Dig or Die” no prep events as well as three NC-21 Street Car Shootout races.
May 28-31 is the date for the 23rd annual “Big John” Memorial Weekend bracket race featuring the “Run for the Wally,” the iconic trophy named for NHRA founder Waly Parks that is presented to winners at all NHRA national events. It anchors a bracket racing schedule that also includes the ninth Carolina Powerfest featuring the Blue Light Special (Sept. 3-5).
For those who prefer their performance on two wheels, The Rock will play host to three major races and a handful of festivals featuring motorcycles, music and family fun. In addition to October’s McClure Memorial, the schedule includes the AHDRA Nitro Summer Nationals June 4-6, the AMRA ManCup Series Sept. 24-26, Apple Chill May 1-2 and Thunder at the Rock June 18-19.
While MOPARs at the Rock will shine the spotlight on all things Chrysler, when the Super Chevy Show returns on Sept. 17-19, it will provide a showcase for GM products unlike any other in the Carolinas with an extensive car and truck show, a Chevy Car Corral, swap meet, exhibition runs and, of course, all-GM bracket racing.
The Super Chevy Show will lay the foundation for an October-November finish that includes the popular NHRA Sportsman Doubleheader the weekend of Oct. 22-24, the East Coast’s final Lucas Oil Divisional event on Saturday and an NHRA National Open on Sunday, and the fourth annual Holiday Jr. Jam, one of the nation’s premier races for Jr. Dragster drivers, which returns on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 26-27.
2010 Event Schedule
(Tentative)
- March 13 – KMS Roll Racing and Manufacturers Shootout
- March 14 – VWs at The Rock
- March 20 – Blood. Sweat and Gears
- March 26-27 – “Dig or Die” No Prep Spring Slam
- April 3 – 30th annual Griffin MOPARs at The Rock
- April 10 – Rugged Maniacs
- April 11 – Import Faceoff
- April 17 – NC-21 Street Car Shootout
- April 24 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- May 1-2 – Apple Chill motorcycles and music
- May 8 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- May 14-16 – Modern Street Hemi Shootout
- May 28-31 – 23rd annual “Big John” Leviner Memorial Bracket Championships
- June 4-6 – AHDRA Nitro Summer Nationals
- June 12 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- June 18-19 – Thunder at The Rock bikes and bands
- June 26 – NC-21 Street Car Shootout
- July 3 – Bike Only Grudge Race, Test and Tune Bike Only
- July 17 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- July 23-24 – “Dig or Die” No Prep Summer Heat
- Aug. 7 – KMS Roll Racing and Manufacturers Shootout
- Aug. 14 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- Aug. 21 – NC -21 Street Car Shootout
- Aug. 28 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- Sept. 3-5 – Carolina Powerfest 9 featuring the Blue Light Special
- Sept. 11 – Eurofest
- Sept. 17-19 – Super Chevy Show
- Sept. 24-26 – ManCup Motorcycle Series
- Oct. 1-2 – Street Car Takeover
- Oct. 9 – MXA Street Drags/Test and Tune
- Oct. 15-17 – 30th annual AMRA Jim McClure Memorial Nitro World Finals featuring the Ray Price Top Fuel Challenge
- Oct. 22-23 – NHRA Lucas Oil Series Southeast Division finale
- Oct. 24 – NHRA Eight-mile National Open
- Oct. 30-31 – TBA
- Nov. 6-7 – TBA
- Nov. 12-13 – Modern Street Hemi Shootout
- Nov. 20 – NC-21 Street Car Shootout
- Nov. 26-27 – Fourth annual Holiday Jr. Jam
