Rockingham Speedway President Hints at Possible NASCAR Cup Series Return
This past weekend marked a milestone for Rockingham Speedway, as it welcomed back the Xfinity Series for the first time since 2004. The Craftsman Truck Series also made its return, having last raced at the North Carolina track in 2013.
Track president and CEO of Track Enterprises, Bob Sargent, noted that the response from NASCAR stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive regarding recent upgrades made to the facility.
“I’m very hands-on,” Sargent told The Charlotte Observer. “From the moment we arrived Thursday night, I’ve been in constant conversation with NASCAR people—whether they were on-site or not. Mike Helton, former NASCAR president and now a board member, was here Friday. I also had phone conversations throughout the weekend.”
He added that he had extensive dialogue with teams, long-time drivers, sponsors, fans, officials, and staff. “Everyone I spoke with had good things to say.”
When asked whether the success of the weekend supported a Cup Series return, Sargent replied confidently:
“Absolutely, yes. With the understanding that NASCAR operates on a global scale and there are only so many race dates and geographic considerations. It’s not as simple as flipping a switch.”
Still, he emphasized Rockingham’s readiness: “I feel we’ve done everything we needed to. It’s a process, but we’re firmly on NASCAR’s radar.”
Rockingham last hosted a Cup Series race in 2004. The track was sold by Speedway Motorsports Inc. in 2007 to former driver Andy Hillenburg. After renovations led to a Truck Series comeback in 2012, the track changed hands again in 2018, continuing its path toward a full resurgence.
