ROCKINGHAM — Jesse Love remembers last year’s testing more than he remembers the actual race at Rockingham Speedway.
Love was back at the track Feb. 6 for a testing session ahead of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season opener next weekend at Daytona. Drivers in the Craftsman Truck Series were also testing.
“I was watching the race last night, just a little refresh and…and there’s a lot of things I don’t even remember happened,” Love said while giving an interview in the Chris Economaki Media Center. “It was obviously a big race for the Xfinity Series, at that time, and I think that when you’re kinda in a situation like that it clouds your memory up a little bit."
Love was the first to cross the finish line in the N.C. Education Lottery 250 at the Rock — however, his celebration was short-lived, being disqualified following a post-race inspection and NASCAR officials handing the win to runner-up Sammy Smith.
Jesse Love gives an interview during testing at Rockingham Speedway on Feb. 6.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
“I remember the car was really fast, I remember it getting thrown out, I remember going through the appeal process…I remember that process more than I do that actual race.”
Despite the setback, Love went on to win the then-Xfinity season championship.
“At the end of the day, success in racing can be hard to define,” Love said. “Obviously, my goal is to always make the organization I’m racing with better, but also perform at the highest element I can at that organization.”
Last year was the first time NASCAR had returned to Rockingham since 2004 for the now-O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and since 2013 for the truck series, and Love said he thinks that should continue.
“You’re second fiddle most of the weekend to the Cup Series, but last year we were the main show,” Love said. “As a driver in the O’Reilly Series, that’s always really cool when you feel like you’re the number one show of the weekend and the stands are sold out for you and not the Cup Series.
“I think it’s really cool to…give the trucks and the O’Reilly cars drivers a little bit of a spotlight.”
“Hopefully the Cup cars come and race here,” Love continued, though he said the track would be “pretty sketchy for them.”
Love added that last year’s race felt “throwbacky,” especially with Kasey Kahne making his return behind the wheel.
“I hope that it continues,” Love said. “I think what will make it continue or not is whether or not the stands continue to sell out when we come here.”
Tyler Ankrum, winner of the 2025 Black's Tire 200, straps on his helmet before hitting the track for another round of testing at Rockingham Speedway.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Tyler Ankrum, who took the checkered flag in the Black’s Tire 200 for the Craftsman Truck Series, said that win “put a pep in everybody’s step” for the season.
“I felt like, at the beginning of the year, we knew we were behind on the development and where we actually wanted to be,” Ankrum said. “But to come here and basically win and do it the hardest way” after heartbreaks in the previous races “...just goes to show how resilient we are as a team.”
Anrkum said the track’s new pavement, which was laid down in late 2022, feels like Dover Motor Speedway, but maintains the Rock’s historic character.
“It’s not like Atlanta …but this place still drives like old Rockingham,” Ankrum continued. “You’re lifting at the fence super early…the only thing we’re not doing is driving straight to the fence in the middle of the corner — like Mark Martin.
“This place in a couple of years is gonna be a lot of fun.”
Layne Riggs rolls down pit road during testing at Rockingham Speedway.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
Layne Riggs — who finished 11th in the 2025 Black’s Tire 200 and had wins at Pocono Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway — said the track said the track is “a lot smoother than it was” a year ago.
“I love this racetrack — it’s got a lot of character, still …it’s still got bumps here and there,” Riggs said. “This is my favorite track on iRacing …I’ve always ran really well at it.”
Riggs was at the Rock several years ago for a late model stock test when the CARS Tour was scheduled for a race.
Being from Bahama, in Durham County, Riggs said he was glad to have Rockingham and North Wilkesboro back on the circuit: “You see it on the schedule and it’s not a surprise anymore — and that’s how it should be.”
Chandler Smith, Riggs’ Frontrow Motorsports teammate, said he hadn’t noticed any characteristic changes of the track, but echoed the sentiment of being close to home.
“It’s so cool being able to wake up in your own bed and drive to the racetrack,” Smith said. “With how much we travel … man, that’s such a blessing.”
Layne Riggs, left, and Chandler Smith answer questions in the media center at Rockingham Speedway.
William R. Toler - Richmond Observer
The 2026 NASCAR weekend kicks off April 2 with ThunderFest in downtown Rockingham from 4-9 p.m. The musical act for the event has not yet been announced.
The Black’s Tire 200 Craftsman Truck Series race is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, April 3. The next day, Saturday, April 4, will feature the N.C. Education Lottery 250 for the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at 4 p.m., preceded by a 125-lap race in the ARCA Menards Series East at 1 p.m.
The races are again being promoted by Track Enterprises.
For more information and tickets, visit racetherock.com.
See additional photos on the RO's Facebook page and visitrichmondcounty.com.
