ROCKINGHAM — Dan VanHorn and Al Gennarelli will be spending a lot of money to get Rockingham Dragway ready for the NHRA Nationals at the Rock in late September — and they could get some of that back.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley sent a letter dated Jan. 9 informing VanHorn that the track’s application has been approved for up to $1.5 million from the Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund.
“North Carolina congratulates your and the community’s efforts to bring an important upcoming event to our State,” Lilly said in the letter.
Rockingham City Manager Monty Crump read the first part of the letter during the City Council’s Jan. 13 meeting.
“That is a really big deal,” Crump said. “Dan and Al … (have) made a heck of an investment out there.”
Lilley and Mark Poole, director of finance for the N.C. Department of Commerce, toured the facility in December and discussed what the NHRA event means to the state, according to Crump.
According to N.C. Commerce, the fund was “established by the North Carolina General Assembly to stimulate economic activity by attracting events that can, in turn, attract out-of-state visitors to North Carolina, strengthening the state's travel and tourism industry.”
Monies for the fund come from the tax on legal sports gambling.
To qualify for the maximum amount, according to Lilley, the event must have qualifying expenses of at least $3 million, with the award calculated at 50% of spending. If the price tag comes in less, then the grant amount will be adjusted on a prorated basis.
Qualified expenses must be verified by a certified public accountant in a compliance audit, and the grant will not be awarded until after a review by the Commerce Department.
Track Enterprises was approved for and awarded a similar grant last year for bringing NASCAR races in the Craftsman Truck and Xfinity (now O’Reilly Auto Parts) series to Rockingham Speedway.
The grant agreement has to be sponsored by a local government entity to serve as a fiduciary.
Crump said the qualifying expenses don’t start until the grant agreement is approved, noting that the issue was time sensitive. The city council voted unanimously to allow Crump to enter into the agreement.
“This shows the state recognizes what we’ve known — is what a great job these guys are doing,” said Councilman Bennett Deane. “To bring an NHRA-sanctioned points event — and in the playoffs — it’s unbelievable. That’s something dragstrips and racetracks all across the country would die for.”
Deane pointed out that the track previously hosted the Winston Invitational, but NHRA Nationals at the Rock will be the first points event in the dragway’s history.
“I can’t thank you guys enough … it’s humbling,” VanHorn told the council. “This is an unbelievable opportunity. We’ve got to spend a ton of money, it’s nice to get a refund on some of it.”
VanHorn said the event is expected to draw 30,000-40,000 people to the track.
Renovations are currently being made at the dragway, with more to come throughout the year.
NHRA Nationals at the Rock is scheduled for Sept. 25-27. The Rock is also hosting the NHRA Lucas Oil Double Divisionals Oct. 22-25.
