Rockingham Speedway, known as “The Rock” in its heyday, had been without a major NASCAR race since 2004. In 2012, the North Carolina track welcomed the return of NASCAR’s big leagues with its first ever Camping World Truck Series event, and the series returns in 2013.
The track, just over one mile in length, opened as a flat oval in October 1965 as North Carolina Motor Speedway; it was reconfigured in 1969 as a D-shaped oval. Following a merger with Penske Motorsports in 1997 it was renamed North Carolina Speedway. It hosted two NASCAR Cup Series races each year from 1966 to 2003, as well as Nationwide Series events and the SCCA on its infield road course.
A short-track oval, just over one-half-mile in length, was built in 2008 and became a popular test track in preparation for races at Martinsville Speedway (since “Little Rock” wasn’t a NASCAR track, testing was unlimited). The track began hosting ARCA Racing Series and USARacing Series events that year as well.
The Truck Series race weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 13th and 14th, will feature Twin 75-lap features (divisions not announced) on Saturday and the Truck Series on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, November 1st and 2nd, the Classic 3 Championship, featuring the K&N Pro Series East, takes place. For more information and to purchase tickets for the April event, visit www.rockinghamspeedway.com.
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