Closed since 2004, the silence of the Rockingham Speedway was a fresh wound to fans, its death brought about by financial woes and allegations of impropriety. On the day of the race, the fans poured in, their pickup trucks and RVs jamming the highways, reminding everyone of what once was. Kasey Kahne, a rookie at the time, challenged Cup Series winner Matt Kenseth in a photo finish. But after the 2004 Subway 400, NASCAR racing at the track was an oddity, but now, as we all know, there is a twist in the tale.
Rockingham Speedway sprang to life on April 20, 2025, with its first NASCAR Xfinity Series event in 21 years. This one-mile oval was a gem of stock car racing when legends such as Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt etched their mark. And former race-winner Kasey Kahne knew this. “I mean, the Cup race could probably be really good here. It used to be, I used to enjoy watching it or being a part of it, the one year,” said Kasey Kahne.
And it’s not just Kahne who’s excited. If we see the numbers, fans are definitely excited for the return of the track.
“Hearing attendance for tomorrow’s sold out Xfinity Series race is expected to be around 26,000,” said NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi. The race itself was a rollercoaster: Jesse Love dominated until a post-race inspection disqualified him for a technical violation, handing victory to Sammy Smith. Katherine Legge’s last-second entry, a daring move that electrified the crowd. Rockingham’s past as well as present cast a long shadow.
The big news broke on X: “.@Rockingham1965 had a sellout crowd both in the grandstands and 45 corporate hospitality suites for today’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, per promoter Track Enterprises, the first event at the venue for that circuit in 21 years. Total attendance safely topped 20,000 people.” For a track left for dead, this was a triumph. In comparison to Daytona 500’s 10th consecutive sellout, which draws over 100,000 every time, making Rockingham’s 20,000 a respectable but smaller feat. Financially, the picture was still cloudy.
.@Rockingham1965 had a sellout crowd both in the grandstands and 45 corporate hospitality suites for today’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race, per promoter Track Enterprises, the first event at the venue for that circuit in 21 years.
Total attendance safely topped 20,000 people. pic.twitter.com/USkOPY1L5s
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) April 20, 2025
Rockingham’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. Opened in 1965 by local entrepreneur L.G. DeWitt, it hosted two NASCAR Grand National races annually, drawing stars like Petty, who won 11 times, and Turner, whose 1965 victory in a Ford Falcon marked the track’s debut. Its high-banked turns and gritty charm made it a fan favorite, with crowds swelling to 35,000 by the 1980s.
Ownership changes followed, with Team Penske buying it in 1998, only to sell to Speedway Motorsports in 2004. Rockingham’s final Cup race came in 2004, leaving it to decay under neglect and vandalism, its grandstands looted and facilities crumbling.
Fan reactions on social media reveal a complex mix of pride, frustration, and skepticism, reflecting the emotional weight of Rockingham’s return. These reactions capture the heart of Rockingham’s comeback story. The sellout is a milestone, a testament to fans’ enduring love for a track that shaped NASCAR’s identity. Yet the empty seats, financial tightrope, and untapped potential leave a bitter aftertaste.
Fans question the authenticity of the sellout figures
One user pointed out, “Well over 20,000, it seats 32,000,” underscoring that the track wasn’t packed to the brim. The 32,000-seat capacity, some photos showed scattered empty seats, suggesting “sellout” may reflect tickets sold, not fans in attendance. There was pre-sale buzz, but some fans likely stayed home, perhaps wary of the track’s condition. However, that’s not the case in terms of track quality, since NASCAR spent $9 million on the restoration. This gap between capacity and turnout stung for a venue with such a storied past, especially when compared to packed NASCAR events at Bristol or Talladega.
Another fan was blunt: “When 2.6 million people live within 2 hours of the track, if you can’t attract 20,000 then that is not something to hang your hat on.” NASCAR fanbases in nearby Charlotte, home to the sport’s Hall of Fame, and Raleigh, a growing metro hub. Rockingham has easy access via U.S. Highway 1, yet turnout fell short of expectations. Fans on social media speculated about weak marketing. Track Enterprises leaned heavily on social media, but may have missed older fans who rely on radio or local papers. Others pointed to the track’s 21-year absence, which dulled its pull for younger fans unfamiliar with its history.
Financial worries hit hardest. A fan questioned, “I wonder if that amount of tickets + sponsorships made the event profitable for the track promoter. Seems like not a lot of tickets. 20k tickets at $40 each is only $800k and the purse for Xfinity was twice that. Plus all the other costs of putting on the event.” This math checks out as detailed steep operational costs: security for 20,000 fans, medical staff on standby, and utilities for a full-day event likely pushed expenses into the millions. Track Enterprises’ $5 million renovation investment, from repaving to new lighting. There was corporate backing, but the Xfinity purse alone outstripped ticket revenue, raising red flags. Fans recalled Rockingham’s 2004 closure due to similar financial strains, fueling doubts about sustainability.
Optimism clashed with skepticism as one fan claimed, “Easily 40,000 at those races,” inflating the crowd size. No source The described “sea of fans,” estimate aligned with the 20,000 figure. This overstatement probably has to do with nostalgia, as people wish Rockingham would return to its 1980s glory days when attendance exceeded 30,000. Some fans were late or early because of the long lines for concessions, which might have tainted the crowd’s perceived size.
For every cheer, there’s a sigh as fans want Rockingham to soar, but the numbers tell a tougher tale. The 2025 race is a bold step, but filling those stands and balancing the books will decide if this historic track can truly reclaim its place in NASCAR’s future.
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