Rockingham Dragway (North Carolina)

American auto racing facility

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Rockingham Dragway in 2024

As the Carolinas' premier drag racing facility, Rockingham Dragway offers racers, fans and sponsors a season-long smorgasbord of competition events ranging from entertainment spectacles such as drag races, bike rallies, car shows and concerts from February to December annually. It is home to the NHRA Southeast Division Lucas Series, the NMRA/NCMA All-Star Nationals, two Nitro Harley National Events, the Super Chevy Show, Civil Wars, MOPARS at The Rock, Battle of the Thrones, Street Car Braggin' Rights, Street Outlaws NPK, Carolina No Time and World class bracket racing. The track is used during the week for professional private testing in addition to its events, camping grounds, and other amenities, to guests and visitors.

Rockingham Dragway features a rich history in drag racing having been built by the L.G. Dewitt family in 1968 framing a motorsports mecca with Rockingham Speedway within walking distance. In 1992, Steve Earwood purchased the track and ushered the facility into mainstream drag racing adding a full schedule to complement the established national events. The iconic Carolina facility that, upon its construction in 1968, was one of the first dragstrips to feature amenities like permanent restrooms, concrete grandstands and corporate suites. In November 2022, Al Gennarelli and Dan VanHorn, partners united by their passion for fast cars, became the new owners of Rockingham Dragway, Within 18 months the aging facility has undergone a massive renovation sparked by local sponsorship, owner reinvestment and grants from the State of North Carolina, City of Rockingham and Richmond County Tourism. What had become an aging track with rich history, Rockingham Dragway has now recaptured its place in drag racing relevance with a new concrete racing surface, new timing system, renovated pits, new bathrooms, new showers, redesigned suites and total infrastructure update.

The track features 5,000 feet of paved surface enabling 1/8 mile, 1/4 mile, roll racing and no prep racing at its highest level. Located in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Rockingham Dragway is one of dozens of drag strips within 3 hours but stands at the top with its size, history, facilities and schedule. The track elevation is 426 feet above sea level which allows some of the fastest and quickest racing in the world. Notable records currently held by passes at The Rock are Extreme ProMod, x275 and Ultra Street. Grassroots racing thrives at Rockingham Dragway with a robust Junior Dragster program, Junior Street program and the regional favorite, Dig or Die top end No Prep races. The length of the surface allows for no prep racing using the bare asphalt at the far end of the track. This state favorite garners entrants from as far as California providing a style of racing that mimics "street racing" but done at a sanctioned facility in the safest and legal manner.

Rockingham Dragway and its ownership have been honored with numerous awards to include being named the 2023 NMCA Track of the Year.

## References

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Current NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series dragstrips

* Gainesville
* Chandler
* Pomona
* Las Vegas
* Concord
* Joliet
* Epping
* Bristol
* Petersburg
* Norwalk
* Kent
* Sonoma
* Brainerd
* Indianapolis
* Mohnton
* Madison
* Ennis

34°58′46″N 79°36′53″W﻿ / ﻿34.9794°N 79.61475°W﻿ / 34.9794; -79.61475

https://dragillustrated.com/the-new-rock-new-owners-dan-vanhorn-al-gennarelli-have-big-plans-for-rockingham-dragway/

https://richmondobserver.com/local-sports/rockingham-dragway-named-nmca-track-of-the-year.html

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