Rockingham Speedway releases schedule for 2025

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ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s iconic circle track is gearing up for its biggest season since reopening for events in 2021.

The most anticipated motorsports event at Rockingham Speedway is the return of NASCAR on Easter weekend, with a race in Craftsman Truck Series on April 18, followed by races in the ARCA Menards Series East and Xfinity Series on April 19.

The two-day, three-race event — the first sanctioned by NASCAR since trucks rounded the oval in 2013 — is being promoted by Track Enterprises.

The NASCAR races were first announced in late August 2024, with ARCA being added in October. Tickets officially went on sale Nov. 1, though there was a presale opportunity the week before.

Click here to read the initial announcement.
Click here to read about the ARCA addition.

Goodyear held a private tire test Nov. 13 with three Xfinity drivers, including 2024 season champ Justin Allgaier, and Jamie McMurray — who won the last four consecutive Xfinity races at the Rock — testing for ARCA.

Click here to read about and see photos from the tire test.
Click here to read about McMurray.

Tickets are still available at racetherock.com.

Go-karts race around Rockingham Speedway's "Little Rock" on Saturday. See a photo gallery at the bottom of this story.
William R Toler - Richmond Observer

WKA RETURNS TO THE ROCK

Another racing series is also coming back to Rockingham: the World Karting Association has a race scheduled for the weekend of March 28-30.

According to its Facebook page, WKA is the nation’s largest sanctioning body for go-kart racing.

Brandon Huff, who took the checkered flag in the CRS Super Truck Series National Truck Invitational at the Rock in 2022, ran in the WKA Nationals on the infield road course in 2004. Click here to read that story.

The aforementioned McMurray, who got his start racing go-karts, was inducted into the WKA Hall of Fame in 2011.

The first event of Rockingham Speedway’s 2021 season — the first active season since it came under new ownership in 2018 — was a go-kart race on the Little Rock.

Click here to read that story.

RO file photo

SLIDIN’ AND SMOKIN’

MB Drift, a grassroots drifting series, returns to Rockingham for its fifth consecutive season — and its 20th anniversary.

The series, established in 2005, ran its first 15 years at Myrtle Beach Speedway in South Carolina — until that track was shuttered in late 2020.

The organizers, including co-founder Marshall Eggerling, found a new home at the Rock with an event in December 2020, before kicking off its 2021 season with a subtle appearance by NASCAR driver Alex Bowman.

“MB Drift is excited in 2025 to spend our 20th anniversary back at Rockingham Speedway,” the group said in a statement to the RO. “When this organization started in 2005, we never imagined how far it would come. This will be our fifth season at The Rock, bringing our grassroots competition drift series as well as matsuris for all to enjoy.”

Since coming to Rockingham, MB Drift has made use of the infield road course — which was repaved in 2024 — and Little Rock, the half-mile replica of Martinsville Speedway.

Click here to read about the 2024 season championship.

RO file photo

This year, MB Drift has six events scheduled, with three competitions and three just for fun:

  • March 8-9 - Spring Matsuri
  • May 3-4 - Round 1
  • June 14-15 - Round 2
  • July 19-20 - Summer Matsuri
  • Aug. 30-31 - Round 3
  • Oct. 30-31 - Halloween Havoc

“The participation and feedback we experienced with the matsuris led us to make some changes for the upcoming season,” organizers said. “In the past, we would have four competitions and two matsuris. We introduced a Summer Matsuri last year and realized the balance between the drivers that just want to have fun, versus those who want to compete and move on to the next level.

“We want to be able to bring our drivers both options and put on the best events for them and our spectators as possible. With the improvements and racing coming to the track in 2025, we think it will be an amazing year for all!”

RO file photo

CROWN 9 CONTINUES

The Rock is also bringing back its own Crown 9 Champion Championship Series for nine races throughout the year.

The grassroots racing series features drivers battling for position on the road course in Ford Crown Victorias. Other cars allowed are the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car, but all cars must be manufactured from 1992-2011 and have a roll cage.

The inaugural season, won by Sergio Pena, was cut short from five races to three due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and related relief efforts and track prep.

Click here to read about the Crown 9 finale.

This year's dates are: March 22; April 26; May 10; June 7; July 12; Aug. 2; Sept. 6; Oct. 4; and Nov. 1.

Riley Paschal, 19, of Charlotte, laps around Rockingham Speedway Dec. 4 through Seat Time Racing School. See more photos on the RO's Facebook page.
Riley Paschal, 19, of Charlotte, laps around Rockingham Speedway Dec. 4 through Seat Time Racing School. Photos by William R. Toler - Richmond Observer

RACING SCHOOL RETURNS

For those wanting a chance to zoom around the track in a stock car, Seat Time Racing Experience has two dates this year: May 24 and Sept. 13.

The Charlotte-based school, founded in 1980 by Buck Baker — NASCAR’s first back-to-back champion — used to hold 20-30 events per year at the speedway. Seat Time returned to the Rock in 2021, giving opportunities for those who are serious about learning to race or just want the experience.

Several NASCAR drivers have gone through the school including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Austin Dillon.

Click here to read about the return of Seat Time in the summer of 2021.

Rockingham is also opening the track for SCMC/Track Club USA (March 15-16, Sept. 20-21), Triad Sports Car Club (May 11, June 22, Sept. 28) and Type R Club (May 30-June 1).

OTHER EVENTS

In addition to the multitude of motorsports, the speedway is also hosting several other events, starting with the Ducks Unlimited Banquet on March 7.

An aerial performer with the Zerbini Family Circus swings through the air in 2022. RO file photo

The Zerbini Family Circus swings back to the speedway for the third time in four years with shows on May 2 and 3.

Owner Alain Zerbini told the RO in 2022 that the circus began in his home country of France and said his son is the ninth generation of the family to be in the business.

Each 90-minute show features aerialists, acrobats, juggling, clowns, performing ponies, miniature donkeys, dogs and “a real life transforming car,” according to the Facebook page.

In October, the track will host the third annual Hops and Hot Rods, a local festival mixing craft beer and cars.

Click here to see photos from 2024’s Hops and Hot Rods.

The speedway is also planning to bring back its month-long Christmas lights drive-thru event Nov. 28-Dec. 28.

Track officials say there will be more events added to the schedule that have yet to be announced, including dates in August, September and October.

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