Rockingham, NC

BY BK

Track History

When North Carolina Speedway opened in 1965, it was originally one mile in length. In 1969, it was reshaped and remeasured at 1.017 miles. Races were 500 miles in length until the fall race in 1995, when they were forever shortened to 400 miles. Ward Burton won the first 400-mile event, beating Dale Earnhardt to the checkered flag.

 North Carolina Speedway History

North Carolina Speedway began as a dream of several local businessmen in the early 1960s. Today, the 1.017-mile superspeedway has become one of the most popular stops on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series Grand National Division schedules. Located in the heart of stock car country, North Carolina Speedway is most noted for its fan-friendly atmosphere and Southern hospitality.

North Carolina Speedway opened October 31, 1965 and was rebuilt in 1969. The track is 1.017 miles (90 feet longer than 1 mile).

In February of 1998, speedway officials announced that North Carolina Motor Speedway would change its name to North Carolina Speedway and a new logo was unveiled. Many more improvements took place in 1998. During the summer, a NEW 28,021-seat high-rise grandstand was constructed between Turns 2 & 3 and included state-of-the-art souvenir stands, concession stands, restrooms and first aid stations. Additional improvements included expanded Guest Services, additional paved handicapped parking, a new line of North Carolina Speedway apparel and merchandise and an additional 54 acres of FREE car parking.

During the winter of 1998, North Carolina Speedway relocated and expanded Vendor Row. Souvenir trailers and corporate displays are now located in a more convenient location outside the admission gates between Turns 1 & 2. Chalet Village was also enlarged and paved and now provides electrical and cable hook-ups at each hospitality tent.

North Carolina Speedway was one of few tracks that had pits on both sides. In April of 1999, construction began on a new pit road. There are now 45 pit stalls on the front stretch that extend into Turn 1. The pit stalls used on the back stretch between Turns 2 & 3 will no longer be used. North Carolina Speedway also refurbished the Corporate Suites during the summer . New carpeting, furniture and windows were just some of the improvements. In July of 1999, International Speedway Corporation acquired Penske Motorsports, Inc., making North Carolina Speedway a member of the growing ISC group of race tracks. North Carolina Speedway hosts two annual NASCAR weekends, both of which comprise events for Winston Cup and Busch Series, Grand National Division.

Track Stats from their web site

Owner: International Speedway Corporation

Distance: 1.017-mile oval (90 feet longer than one mile)

Degree of Banking
Turns 1 & 2: 22 degrees
Turns 3 & 4: 25 degrees
Straightaways: 8 degrees

Width:
Turns: 55 feet wide
Straightaways: 50 feet wide

Number of pits:
45 on front straightaway

Length of pit road:
1,436 feet in length

Pit stalls:
30 feet long
16 feet wide

Length
Length of Frontstretch: 1,300 feet
Length of Backstretch: 1,367 feet
Length of Turns 1 & 2: 1,256 feet
Length of Turns 3 & 4: 1,437 feet

Grandstand Seating: 60,113

Garage facilities:
Enclosed NASCAR Winston Cup Series garage area for 48 cars with cement flooring built on 1996. Covered NASCAR Busch Series garage for 35 cars with cement flooring. Pit access on front stretch. Goodyear tire building, 76 fuel station, photo lounge and restrooms.

Infield:

Grass, 25 acres, restrooms, souvenir and concession stands, cafeteria, access by two-lane tunnel under Turn 4, crossover at Turn 3. A 60,000 square-foot paved driver motorhome area with electric, telephone, cable and water hook-ups built in 1998.

General facilities:
Press box, infield media center, two TV booths, operations tower, security office, fire and rescue office, first aid stations, grandstand restrooms staffed on race day, concession and souvenir stands, scoring stand, information board and 34 VIP suites.

Camping:
Approximately 35 acres of camping on-site. Dumping facilities available.

Location:
Richmond County, 10 miles North of Rockingham and 20 miles South of Pinehurst/Southern Pines on Highway US

Previous Race Record

It would appear that the writing is on the wall and NASCAR will not race in Rockingham after 2004. The track just has not been able to draw the crowd required.

Please sign the petition to Car Craft!

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