ROCKINGHAM — NASCAR drivers and a classic Southern Rock band will be downtown just ahead of the races at Rockingham Speedway for the return of ThunderFest.
The city of Rockingham and the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority on Monday announced details for the race-themed festival, scheduled for 4-9 p.m. Thursday, April 17.
The Rock will host NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series the following day — Friday, April 18 — with races in the ARCA Menards Series East and NASCAR Xfinity series on Saturday, April 19. The Cup Series does not hold races on Easter Sunday.
Tickets are still available at racetherock.com.
According to the flyer, fans will be able to snap photos of and interact with drivers before they battle for position on the oval.
Xfinity drivers Justin Allgaier — 2024 season champion — Sheldon Creed and Brandon Jones were at the Rock in November for a private Goodyear tire test. Jamie McMurray, who won the last four Xfinity races at the track, was testing for the ARCA series.
Click here to read about the tire test.
Taking the stage for ThunderFest will be South Carolina-based Marshall Tucker Band, which has been touring for 54 years.
The band’s self-titled debut album in 1973 featured one of its biggest hits, “Can’t You See,” along with “Take the Highway.” Other popular Marshall Tucker songs include “Fire on the Mountain” and “Heard it in a Love Song.”
ThunderFest will also feature a Kids Zone and beer garden.
ThunderFest was previously held from 2001-2013 in partnership with the track, but when the Rock was taken off the schedule it was rebranded in 2016 as SpringFest after a two-year hiatus.
Vendor applications are available at visitrichmondcounty.com and completed applications should be sent to Kim@gorockingham.com or visitrichmondcountync@gmail.com.
