NASCAR Returns to Rockingham
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I am not much a planner.
I usually don’t know what I am going to be doing tomorrow much less eight months from now. But I can tell you without a doubt where I will be on April 15, 2012.
I will be at Rockingham Speedway for a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race. After an eight-year absence, NASCAR will be back at the track for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 presented by Cheerwine.
And I hope that if you have read the first five sentences of this column, you will be there too.
This is a big deal for the region. In fact, it is such a big deal that Governor Beverly Perdue came to the speedway on Wednesday to make the announcement. The race will bring an approximate $7.5 million to the region according to the governor. That’s people eating in local restaurants and staying in local hotels. That is a huge economic impact.
Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg and General Manager Robert Ingraham have worked tirelessly over the last four years to get to a point where NASCAR could come back to the track and the last step was the investment of nearly $1 million for the installation of Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barriers. The SAFER barriers are scheduled to be installed in two phases, with the first phase happening this month and the final sections in December.
It’s not often that you get a genuine second chance like this, but now it’s time for race fans to step up. NASCAR has done its part — they are sanctioning racing at Rockingham. Hillenburg has done his part — he is taking a huge risk; it’s not cheap to hold a NASCAR event. Good Sam Club, Camping World and Cheerwine have done their parts.
Now fans have to support it. Over the last eight years, all I have heard from race fans is that NASCAR wronged Rockingham and the supporters and they have to come back to the track that hosted NASCAR races from 1965-2004.
Rockingham now has about 34,500 seats. If there is an empty seat in that place on April 15, I am coming to find everyone of those people who have complained over the last eight years, then didn’t buy a ticket to come out to watch what I am sure will be a great race. And I promise, I won’t be a happy camper.
I kid … a little.
If you have ever read this column you know I have a soft spot for Rockingham. It is a great race track with great amenities for fans. It is a perfect fit for the Camping World Trucks. Aside from that, it is a great asset for the region.
NASCAR has packed their bags and left the track once and if fans don’t show up for the new races, they will leave again. Let’s don’t let that happen. If you’ve read this far, you need to buy a ticket and tell all your friends that they need to be at Rockingham Speedway on April 15.
Contact Andy Cagle at andycagle@earthlink.net
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Comments
Bflat 1 year, 8 months ago
NA$CAR wronged the fans and moved the car races away to other places with a higher concentration of population in hopes of bigger money. What makes them think a truck race is going to get the fans back? Maybe so, maybe not. NA$CAR essentially forgot where stock car racing had the roots of its beginning and cared not one whip about the fans. I'll ask friends about having a good campout at "The Rock" for old times sake and see what they have to say.
Arestorer 1 year, 8 months ago
Ive had at least one family member in NASCAR since the 1960's....They (NASCAR) have forgotten where they came from and who brung them to the party.... Myself, nor any of my immediate family will be joining ya'll at the ROCK...
Unless NASCAR goes back to its "stock car racing" roots, they will never get another one of my dollars...
mooremedic 1 year, 8 months ago
Boycotting Nascar isn't really going to have much of an effect but the money we lost in our local economy after losing Nascar has hurt us.....why can't we support our local economy and Andy Hillenburg and attempt to have some other source of tourist income other than golf?....I personally don't like the truck races, but I still may go just to see Rockingham revitalized....
Bflat 1 year, 8 months ago
Andy is hoping to get stock car racing to return to "The Rock." It will take more than a truck race to get it the fans back. NA$CAR is losing revenue at other events due to its business practices. They have ruined a lot of what racing is about with rules changes, putting races at tracks like Kentucky without thought to the traffic, and have made serious snubs at the fans.
Courseaire 1 year, 8 months ago
NASCAR Fans boycotting - I don't think that will happen. Boycott is an awfully big word for a NASCAR Fan.
molonlabe 1 year, 8 months ago
Not a NASCAR fan and frankly can’t stand the sport. How boring to watch cars go in circles for several hours. Always thought it was funny how they try and pretend that the cars are based off the cars in the showroom floor, never seen a Taurus with rear wheel drive! They have trucks? Are these real trucks like my F150? I always thought NASCAR was a marketing company that has races sort of like how Harley Davidson is a clothing company that makes motorcycles. I do wish the race will be successful but I won’t be there.
Bflat 1 year, 8 months ago
No darling, the trucks don't look like your F-150.
molonlabe 1 year, 8 months ago
NASCRAP
molonlabe 1 year, 8 months ago
Darling?
Mark106 1 year, 8 months ago
I WILL be there on April 15th, 2012. This area and the track need support. The trucks are fun to watch. They are not worried about saving it to the end. They race from the drop of the Green flag. Everybody needs to stop complaining about the economy in this area if they are not willing to support it!
CNMT 1 year, 8 months ago
Darn, I would LOVE to be there on April 15, 2012 because I think Andy deserves to fill the place to the rafters (if it had rafters!). He has done an amazing job keeping racing at The Rock and now has been able to get NASCAR to bring a race back. Unfortunately, I have a wedding in St. Louis to go to on that weekend - maybe I will call the bride/groom and ask them to change their wedding date so I can still go! Don't think that will happen, but might buy a ticket anyway just to help support Andy and The Rock! I hope it sells out and I hope NASCAR finally understands that this area can and will support racing at The Rock!
geoffcutler 1 year, 8 months ago
I've always kicked myself that I never got down there when NASCAR was racing at the Rock. I don't know squat from the politics, either. I guess like every other professional sport these days, the organizations go where the money goes. Too bad! Having said that, I won't miss it this time, even if it is trucks... I'm sure it will be worth it.
brflechs 1 year, 8 months ago
That weekend the Texas race is on Sat so hope weather is good for all parties so a few of the big names can make it in. Trucks put on a good show and the rough surface should make for good racing. Good luck Andy H you deserve a good crowd
Yukonjohn 1 year, 8 months ago
Having gone to Rockingham when it was the old dirt track down US1, and going to the first and last race at the Rock, and a bunch in-between, I am going to try and make it to this one. Coming from Alaska is not the easiest thing to do, but back to the Rock for racing, and anymore, the trucks are about the best, is perfect!!!! Good Work Andy, and you do deserve a packed house!!
Arestorer 1 year, 8 months ago
Dont get me wrong, I know the Hillenburgs, And Andy is a great guy, I hope they have a great turn-out and have great success, Just not for me anymore....
Now if they were to start running Showroom stock cars again, I would be back in the sport asap.
Yukonjohn, Didnt realize anyone was still alive that went to, or remembered the dirt track races. Those were the days..
Yukonjohn 1 year, 8 months ago
Arestorer, yes, some of us are still around. Yes those were the days too....days of Winding Wayne Andrews, Big John Sears and the lot!! I was a young boy with my Dad and Uncles the day that Curtis Turner took the first checkered flag at the new track. I also took my girlfriend from Alaska to her first race, the last race at the Rock. Looking back, that sure was a sad day that we did not even see coming. Andy Hillenburg deserves the highest thanks for what he is accomplishing down there in those sandhill pines. Best of Luck to him!!!