ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s legendary race track is gearing up for its fourth year of activities under its current ownership.
Rockingham Speedway has several events lined up for 2024, starting with hosting the Richmond County Ducks Unlimited annual banquet in the Papa Joe Hendrick Garage on Friday, March 8.
This weekend, the Rock welcomes back the Tar Heel Sports Car Club for its first autocross points event of the season.
Although it’s not yet on the speedway’s calendar, THSCC has other events scheduled at the track May 19 and Sept. 22.
Later this month, MB Drift slides back to Rockingham Speedway for its fourth competitive season at its new home track.
The grassroots drifting organization has held its events at the Rock since the closing of Myrtle Beach Speedway in 2020 — with NASCAR driver Alex Bowman making an appearance at 2021’s Icebreaker Challenge — using both the infield road course and the Little Rock.
MB Drift has six events slated for 2024, starting with its Spring Matsuri March 23-24. Other open drift events include the Summer Matsuri July 27-28 and Halloween Havoc Oct. 19-20.
This season’s competitive events are April 27-28, June 1-2 and Aug. 24-25.
Last year, one driver took first in all four competitions to win the season.
Click here to read about the 2023 competitive season finale.
During non-competition times, free ride-alongs are available for spectators 18 and older.
MB Drift is also looking for volunteers (flaggers, cone runners, staging) for the upcoming season. Non-driving volunteers will get a free lunch, drinks provided during volunteer hours, two free entries for a friend and free camping on site. Those interested can contact mbdriftzach@gmail.com
The RO will have more on the Spring Matsuri closer to the event.
This year’s Open House at Rockingham Speedway is scheduled for Saturday, May 18.
The event will include demonstrations from MB Drift, the Tarheel Sports Car Club, Oak City Trucks, and an exhibition race — the Rock Revival 100 — by Stock Car Classics.
Rockingham native Erik Hawks, backed by the Hard Luck Band, will also perform at the Open House. Hawks, who was named as Male Performer of the Year in the 2024 Carolina Country Music Awards, will also be headlining Rockingham’s SpringFest April 20.
Click here to see photos from the 2023 Open House.
For those seeking the thrill of being behind the wheel — or in the passenger seat — while making laps around the historic oval, both Seat Time Racing Experience and the Rusty Wallace Racing Experience return to the Rock this year.
Wallace — who was a speaker for the kickoff to the Moonshine and Motorsports Trail in 2023 — holds the track lap record at 23.167 seconds and had five Cup Series wins at the Rock, including three consecutive (both races in ‘93 and February of ‘94). The only other former cup driver with three in a row is Richard Petty.
The Rusty Wallace Racing Experience has events scheduled at Rockingham Speedway June 22 and Sept. 14; Seat Time returns April 20 and Oct. 12.
Click here to see photos from the last Rusty Wallace Racing Experience.
