ROCKINGHAM — With several dates still redacted, Rockingham Dragway has released most of its schedule for the 2027 season — with on-track action slated for nearly every weekend from the end of February until the first of December.
On Friday, the Professional Drag Racers Association announced that it would be returning to the Rock for the first time in a decade.
The Rockingham PDRA race, scheduled for May 13-15, will be the third of eight national events in the series.
Earlier this week, former Street Outlaws racer Justin Swanstrom announced three dates for his SwanFest — kicking off with King of the Track April 30-May 1 at Rockingham. The other two events, Money in the Bank and Southern Throwdown, will be held at Piedmont Dragway and U.S. 60 Dragway, respectively.
The inaugural SwanFest was held at the Rock in October 2025, and two events were held in 2026 —although the October event was cut short because of weather.
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The National Hot Rod Association will return for the second year of a three-year deal for the NHRA Nationals at the Rock following a successful inaugural event that saw a sold-out crowd on the second day.
Co-owner Dan VanHorn — who purchased the track with Al Gennarelli in late 2022 — said the deal is for three years with two three-year renewal options for a possible total of nine years.
That event is scheduled for Sept. 24-26 and will be preceded by the second annual NitroFest in downtown Rockingham’s Harrington Square.
The track will also again host the NHRA Lucas Oil Series Double Divisionals — in conjunction with the HEMI Throwdown — Oct. 21-24.
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Street Car Braggin Rights enters its third year at the Rock, featuring more than $200,000 in total payouts to the winners, as well as an NHRA Wally to the winners in six of the classes. That event is scheduled for April 7-10.
Carolina NT has several events slated for next season featuring some of the fastest cars in the region: All Stars Extravaganza March 19-20; Blood Warz June 19; Fall Grudge Warz Sept. 11; and Thanksgiving Grudge Warz Nov. 20.
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Dig or Die has two events locked in for 2027 for backside no-prep action: Flashlight Fiesta 7 April 16-17; and Christmas Clash 8 Dec. 3-4. This year’s Christmas Clash, the season closer, is scheduled for Dec. 4-5.
The Rock is hosting multiple bracket racing events, starting March 13-14 with the fourth annual Billy Weeks Shamrock Challenge March. Other bracket races are: the Big John Memorial Bracket Championship May 29-31; the Sandhills Bracket Championship Sept. 4-6; and Freedom at the Rock Nov. 6-7.
The 10th annual Holiday Jr Jam will be held the weekend after Thanksgiving (Nov. 25-28), giving young drivers a chance to compete and learn the sport. Click here to read more about Quarter Mile Inc., an organization dedicated to “educating, strengthening and growing youth drag racing programs at Rockingham Dragway.”
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The track’s two legacy manufacturer events are also locked in. There will again be two Mopars at the Rock events (May 22 and Nov. 13) which will run in conjunction with the Modern Street Hemi Shootout (May 22-23 and Nov. 13-14.) This year’s second Mopars event is slated for this weekend. The annual Super Chevy Show is slated for Sept. 18.
The Lindsey’s Tire Center Truck Show, heading into its fifth year is on the schedule for June 12.
The dragway will have several test and tunes throughout the season: March 12; April 4; May 21 and 28; Aug. 8; Sept. 3 and 17; Oct. 17; and Nov. 10 and 12.
Other automotive-related events so far listed are:
Also on the schedule are several non-racing events, including the return of Cirque Du Luxe on the front lawn (Oct. 14-17) and three summer rodeo events slated for May 8, June 26 and July 24.
Twelve dates for next year have yet to be revealed at the time of writing: Feb. 27; March 21; June 3, 4-6; July 30-31; Aug. 19, 20-22; Sept. 12; Oct. 2, 8-9, 29, 29-31.
