ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s legendary racetrack is leading a poll on which former site NASCAR fans would like to see host a race.
NASCAR on NBC put out a poll on Twitter Thursday evening asking “Which track would you like to see back in #NASCAR the most?”
The three main choices are: North Wilkesboro Speedway, which opened as a dirt track in 1947 and closed in 1996; the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, which hosted races from 1958 to 1984; or Rockingham Speedway, which opened in 1965 and last hosted a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2013.
There is also a choice for other tracks with a request for specification.
After five hours of the poll being open, Rockingham was leading with 50 percent.
Many people commented saying “All of the above,” while others gave their choice of the three mentioned. Some even mentioned tracks in Milwaukee and Iowa.
Doug Demmons, former sports editor of the Rapid City (Iowa) Journal commented: “All the folks who want Rockingham back should have bought tickets when Andy Hillenberg brought it back.”
Hillenberg, a former driver, bought the track at auction in 2007, and hosted several events. However, Salisbury-based Farmers and Merchants Bank began foreclosure proceedings against Hillenberg and Billy Silas in 2014, which led to Silas paying off the lien and putting it up for sale.
It was purchased by Rockingham Properties, LLC earlier this year for $2.8 million.
William Michael was more pessimistic saying: “The rock isn’t coming back. Ever. If it does it would fail miserably,” to which the Speedway replied: “Hold my beer n watch this ;)”
The speedway’s Twitter account is managed by Frank Bloom, vice president of events, sales and marketing.
Thursday morning, the speedway put out an informal poll of it’s own asking who would come out in top in a winner-take-all race between Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Petty, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Darrell Waltrip, Michael Waltrip, Kasey Kahne, Bill Elliot, Kenny Wallace, Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart or Dale Jarrett.
Tuesday, the speedway posted a photo of the “Thunder Alley” backstretch saying: “Our present this holiday season to everyone who’s following our progress, how about a track clean of debris & weeds and now prepped for some upcoming repairs!!! Our crew has worked tirelessly on this. We’ve got a long road ahead of us, and we know how to get there!”
Earlier this month, Bloom questioned if fans would like to see a dirt track at the Little Rock, the half-mile track at the back of the speedway property. That idea seemed to be gaining traction.
“We’re really excited about all the opportunities,” Bloom said. “The property just lends itself to so many options.”
