ROCKINGHAM — The title sponsor for the upcoming Xfinity Series race will be the same as the last NASCAR event at Rockingham Speedway.
The speedway and promoter Track Enterprises announced Monday that the Xfinity race on April 19 will be the N.C. Education Lottery 250.
“We’re proud to be part of NASCAR’s return to the Rock in April with our sponsorship of the NCEL 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race,” Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery, said in a press release.
“Being part of this exciting racing tradition in North Carolina helps support the lottery’s mission to raise money for education,” Michalko added. “We’re racing to raise, for the third year in a row, more than $1 billion for this good cause. With the support of racing fans in our state, we can make it to the Winner’s Circle again this year.”
According to its website, the state-sanctioned lottery raised $3,383,261 for Richmond County Schools in 2023 and $47,365,544 since 2006.
The N.C. Education Lottery previously sponsored the Craftsman (then Camping World) Truck Series race race April 14, 2013, won by Kyle Larson. This year's title sponsor for the truck race is regional chain Black's Tire Service, which was announced earlier this month.
Click here to read the Black's Tire announcement.
“The North Carolina Education Lottery is such an incredible tradition and supports so many schools, students and families across the state,” Bob Sargent, president of Track Enterprises, said in a statement. “The NCEL supported the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at Rockingham Speedway back in 2013 and we’re thrilled to welcome them back in a big way in 2025,” Sargent continued. “We’re eager to welcome race fans back to one of the most iconic and historic ovals not only in North Carolina but anywhere in America. “Having the support of the NCEL and being able to advance its mission with our fans is incredibly gratifying for our team and the entire region. We’re also very thankful to Black’s Tire for their partnership. You can truly feel the excitement building around this event.” The Xfinity race will be preceded by one in the ARCA Menards Series East, with the truck race on Friday, April 18. Leading into the race weekend, ThunderFest returns to downtown Rockingham, with music from the Marshall Tucker Band. Click here to read more about ThunderFest. More than 50 race teams from the two series are expected to be at the Rock Tuesday for an organizational test. Haulers began arriving in the rain on Monday. Click here to read a preview of the test. Drivers on the list (which is subject to change) include 2024 Xfinity champ Justin Allgaier, 2012 truck series winner Kasey Kahne and former “Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz. Allgaier and two other Xfinity drivers were at the track for a private Goodyear tire test in November, along with Jamie McMurray — who won the last four consecutive Xfinity races at the Rock — who was testing for ARCA. Click here to read about the Xfinity drivers. Richard Childress Racing announced Friday that Kahne would be driving the No. 33 car in the Xfinity Race -- his first time behind the wheel since 2018. Click here to read the Kahne announcement. It'll be a late birthday present for Kahne, who also placed second in the final Cup Series race at the Rock in 2004, as he turns 45 on April 10. Actor-turned-driver Muniz began his racing career in 2023 in the ARCA Menards Series. Last year, he competed in eight professional races: two each in ARCA and Xfinity; and four in the truck series. In addition to Kahne, there are several other drivers scheduled for the test who have made laps around the oval: Tuesday's test is open to the public from 9 a.m.-4:430 p.m. with free admission in the Turn 4 grandstands. Tickets for races, as well as additional information, are available at racetherock.com.
Click here to read about McMurray.
