History of Rockingham Speedway in Timeline

Rockingham Speedway, a 1.017-mile D-shaped oval track in Rockingham, North Carolina, has hosted various racing events since its 1965 opening. Primarily known for its NASCAR Cup Series races from 1965-2004, it currently hosts NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series events. The Speedway has a seating capacity of 32,000. Rockingham Properties, LLC, with Dan Lovenheim as the majority owner, owns the complex.

April 25, 1964: Construction Begins

On April 25, 1964, construction began on a racetrack led by Harold Brasington and W. R. "Bill" Land. The initial plans included a 1-mile paved oval, a 1⁄2-mile dirt oval, and a 1⁄2-mile drag strip.

April 1965: Construction Progress

In April 1965, the construction process of North Carolina Motor Speedway was described as a "well-kept secret".

April 23, 1965: Inaugural Event Announced

On April 23, 1965, Brasington announced the track's inaugural event: a 500-mile NASCAR Grand National Series race on October 31 titled the American 500.

1965: First Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 held

From 1965 to 2004, Rockingham Speedway hosted at least one top-tier NASCAR Cup Series weekend annually. The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 was first held in 1965.

1965: Track Opening

Rockingham Speedway officially opened in 1965 and held NASCAR Cup Series events from 1965 to 2004.

1965: Rockingham Speedway Opens

Rockingham Speedway opened in 1965 under the control of attorney Elsie Webb as a flat 1-mile oval.

January 1966: Brasington Sells Interest

In January 1966, Harold Brasington sold his interest in North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS).

1966: First Subway 400 held

The Subway 400 was first held in 1966 as a 500 mi race, running annually until 2004.

June 1967: Construction of Air-Conditioned Grandstand

In June 1967, construction of an air-conditioned "experiment" grandstand near the track's press box was completed at North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS).

1969: Track Dimensions Changed

In 1969, the track's dimensions were changed to make the bankings steeper.

1969: Previous Track Repave

The last time Rockingham speedway was repaved before 1985 was in 1969.

February 1970: Track Repaved Again

In February 1970, North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS) was repaved again to correct rough patches caused by rainy weather during the previous repave.

January 18, 1972: Elsie Webb Dies

On January 18, 1972, Elsie Webb died from ulcer surgery complications.

August 18, 1972: Peach Tree Celebration

On August 18, 1972, Rockingham Speedway hosted the Peach Tree Celebration, a rock music festival attended by approximately 70,000 people.

1972: L. G. DeWitt Takes Over

After Elsie Webb's death in 1972, NASCAR team owner L. G. DeWitt took over control of Rockingham Speedway.

1977: Road Course Layout Added

In 1977, a 1.5-mile road course layout was added to Rockingham Speedway. It combined an infield road course with sections of the oval track.

1977: Sealant Application and Road Course Completion

In 1977, sealant was applied to the track surface which received negative feedback from drivers due to its slipperiness. Also in December 1977, a road course layout was completed.

March 1979: Attempt to Depose DeWitt

In March 1979, L. V. Hogan made a brief attempt to depose L. G. DeWitt as president, but the conflict was resolved after DeWitt agreed to buy stock from dissenting stockholders.

1982: Start of annual Xfinity Series events

From 1982, Rockingham Speedway held the second-tier Xfinity Series annually as a support event for the Cup Series.

1984: Acquisition of Rockingham Dragway

In 1984, North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS) owners purchased the nearby Rockingham Dragway, placing it under NCMS control. Cement barriers and a grandstand were added that year as well.

1985: Track Repave

In 1985, North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS) underwent a complete repave for the first time since 1969, in time for the 1985 Nationwise 500.

1986: Tower and VIP Lounges Completed

In 1986, a 4,500-seat tower and six VIP lounges were completed, increasing seating capacity to approximately 33,000.

October 9, 1990: L. G. DeWitt Dies

On October 9, 1990, L. G. DeWitt died, and Frank Wilson was elected as his replacement as North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS) president nine days later.

1990: Grandstand Announced

In 1990, another 1,500-seat grandstand on the track's fourth turn was announced.

1992: Sale of Rockingham Dragway

In 1992, North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS) sold its ownership of Rockingham Dragway to Atlanta Dragway owner Stephen Earwood. Construction of an additional tower containing 2,000 seats was announced.

August 20, 1994: Frank Wilson Dies

On August 20, 1994, Frank Wilson died due to a stroke.

July 1995: Renovated Buildings Constructed

In July 1995, numerous renovated buildings were built, improving the infield care center, garages, and media center at North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS).

1995: Partial Ownership Changes

In 1995, Bruton Smith bought interest from Horris DeWitt in April and Roger Penske bought interest in May. Smith increased his interest in September.

1996: End of North Carolina Motor Speedway Name

In 1996, the track was formerly known as North Carolina Motor Speedway.

1997: Roger Penske Buys the Facility

Roger Penske bought Rockingham Speedway in 1997, leading to a push for renovations.

1997: Penske-Smith Bidding War

Throughout 1997, Penske and Smith engaged in a bidding war for the purchase and control of North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS). Penske ultimately acquired all of Carrie DeWitt's stock.

February 1998: Name Change and Renovations

In February 1998, the track's name was changed to "North Carolina Speedway". Renovations were also made, including rebuilding the frontstretch grandstands and replacing the Hamlet Grandstand.

1998: Track Renamed North Carolina Speedway

In February 1998, the track's name was changed to "North Carolina Speedway".

May 1999: Penske Motorsports and ISC Merge

In May 1999, Penske Motorsports and International Speedway Corporation (ISC) agreed to merge, officially merging two months later under the ISC name. NCMS' pit road was reconfigured.

April 2000: Stock Valuation Determined

In April 2000, the North Carolina Supreme Court determined the stock to be worth $23.47 per share, awarding Smith "more than $3.6 million"; a decision received positively by Penske.

2003: Chris Browning Named President

In 2003, Chris Browning was named as the president of North Carolina Motor Speedway (NCMS).

2003: NASCAR Cup Series weekend in jeopardy

In 2003, Rockingham Speedway faced challenges due to a declining local economy, poor attendance, and prioritization of larger markets by NASCAR. As a result, the track's fall Cup Series race was likely to be replaced by Darlington Raceway to accommodate a second race at California Speedway due to lack of fan support.

2003: Last Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 held

The Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 ran annually until 2003 when it was dropped from the schedule due to low attendance.

2004: NASCAR Leaves Rockingham Speedway

Due to a lack of amenities, poor attendance, and NASCAR's expansion towards bigger markets, NASCAR left Rockingham Speedway in 2004 following the Ferko lawsuit.

2004: End of annual Cup Series weekends

From 1965 to 2004, the facility hosted at least one top-tier NASCAR Cup Series weekend annually.

2004: End of NASCAR Cup Series

In 2004, the track held the last NASCAR Cup Series event.

June 20, 2007: SMI announces auction for North Carolina Speedway

On June 20, 2007, SMI spokesman Jerry Gappens announced the company's plans to auction off North Carolina Speedway.

2007: End of North Carolina Speedway Name

In 2007, the track was formerly known as North Carolina Speedway.

2008: "Little Rock" Constructed

In 2008, a 0.526-mile replica of Martinsville Speedway, named "Little Rock", was constructed outside of Rockingham Speedway's oval track.

2008: ARCA Re/Max Series returns to Rockingham Speedway

In 2008, the ARCA Re/Max Series returned to Rockingham Speedway, marking the first races since NASCAR's departure in 2004. Joey Logano won the event on May 4. Additionally, a new 1⁄2 mile oval named "Little Rock" was built for testing.

August 2011: Plans announced for SAFER barrier installation and potential NASCAR races

In August 2011, Rockingham Speedway's general manager Robert Ingraham announced plans to install SAFER barriers, sparking speculation about future lower-tier NASCAR races at the facility.

2011: ARCA leaves schedule

In 2011, ARCA was dropped from the Rockingham Speedway schedule.

2011: World's Strongest Man filming at Rockingham Speedway

In 2011, Rockingham Speedway was used as a filming site for the edition of World's Strongest Man.

2012: Track Capacity

As of 2012, Rockingham Speedway had a seating capacity of 32,000.

2012: Truck Series held as part of attempted revival

From 2012, the facility held the third-tier Truck Series as part of an attempted revival by then-owner Andy Hillenburg.

2012: Carolina Rebellion

In 2012, Rockingham Speedway held the Carolina Rebellion music festival.

2013: NASCAR's second departure from Rockingham Speedway

In 2013, NASCAR announced its second departure from Rockingham Speedway after one more Truck Series race, citing the track's failure to meet its financial obligations.

2013: Truck Series dropped due to financial issues

In 2013, the facility dropped the third-tier Truck Series due to "the track fail[ing] to meet its financial obligations".

2013: Last major event held

The Epicenter Festival in 2019 marked the first major event at the facility since 2013, the last year Rockingham Speedway hosted a NASCAR race.

September 19, 2014: Richmond County Superior Court approves hearing motion regarding Rockingham Speedway

On September 19, 2014, the Richmond County Superior Court approved to hear a motion filed by Farmers and Merchants Bank, allowing The Finley Group to have custody of the speedway due to owed debts.

March 15, 2015: Deadline set for Rockingham Speedway auction

In October, an auction was approved, with the deadline set on March 15, 2015.

April 2016: Termination of Vets-Help lease

In April 2016, the lease of disabled veterans charity group Vets-Help was terminated due to lack of progress, and scheduled races were canceled.

August 30, 2018: Rockingham Speedway bought by investor group

On August 30, 2018, Rockingham Speedway was bought by a group of investors led by Dan Lovenheim for $2.8 million.

2018: Renovation into Multi-Use Complex

In 2018, a group of investors led by Dan Lovenheim bought and renovated Rockingham Speedway into a multi-use complex.

2019: Epicenter festival

Rockingham Speedway held the Epicenter festival in 2019.

2020: CARS Tour event scheduled but cancelled

In 2020, Rockingham Speedway scheduled its first racing event since 2013 with a CARS Tour event in 2021; however, the race was canceled due to a lack of tires from tire supplier Hoosier.

May 2021: Cooper considers COVID-19 Relief

In May 2021, North Carolina Governor Cooper began considering a COVID-19 relief economic package that would give $10 million to Rockingham Speedway.

2021: Drifting competitions held

In 2021, Rockingham Speedway held drifting competitions, marking the first motorsports events at the facility since NASCAR's departure.

October 2022: Track Repaving Started

In October 2022, Rockingham Speedway began repaving the track, completing it two months later.

June 2023: Renovations Completed

In June 2023, Rockingham Speedway completed renovations to the track's grandstands and catchfences.

2023: Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival

The Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival was held at Rockingham Speedway in 2023.

2024: Infield Road Course Repaved

In early 2024, Rockingham Speedway repaved the infield road course.

2025: Rockingham Speedway hosts annual NASCAR weekend

As of 2025, Rockingham Speedway hosts one annual NASCAR weekend a year, including the second-tier Xfinity Series and the third-tier Truck Series.

2025: NASCAR returns to Rockingham Speedway

On August 29, 2024, NASCAR officials announced their return to Rockingham Speedway in 2025, scheduling a weekend that includes the Xfinity Series and the Truck Series.