NASCAR: Every track from the 2010s that is no longer on the schedule
By Mark Kristl
Rockingham Speedway
The track affectionately known as “The Rock” last hosted both a NASCAR Cup Series race and an Xfinity Series race in 2004. In the 2010s, Rockingham Speedway hosted two Truck Series races, one K&N Pro Series East race and one ARCA Menards Series race. Tyler Reddick won the K&N Pro Series East race there in 2012 and Ty Dillon won the ARCA Menards Series race there in 2010.
After SAFER barriers were installed at Rockingham Speedway, it was announced that the Truck Series would race there. The four-turn 1.017-mile (1.637-kilometer oval in Rockingham, North Carolina hosted the inaugural Truck Series race on April 15, 2012.
Nelson Piquet Jr. took the pole position and led 107 laps, but a late race pit road speeding penalty ended his chances for victory. Kasey Kahne led the final 46 laps won the race.
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The Truck Series returned to Rockingham Speedway in 2013. Kyle Larson dominated the race, leading 187 of the 205 laps and withstanding a final two-lap overtime restart to win by 0.177 seconds over Joey Logano.
However, Rockingham Speedway struggled with financial issues. Due to those problems, the Truck Series left and NASCAR has not raced there since. Ownership of the track has changed, and in August of 2018, new investors purchased it.
The new owner plans to renovate the property, and it will include racing. Track officials want the property, which has been renamed The Rock Entertainment Complex, to become a year-round entertainment facility.
Rockingham Speedway was a popular track for many drivers. Although its website is rudimentary, the facility hosted Epicenter Music Festival in May of 2019. Who knows? With the proper renovations and NASCAR supposedly being willing to change the schedule, racing may return to The Rock Entertainment Complex.
Next. NASCAR Cup Series: 8 tracks to add to the schedule. dark
Do you have any particular fond memories of NASCAR racing at any of these four tracks? Which races do you attend? Daytona International Speedway will host the first stock car racing in 2020. I’m looking forward to racing, both next year and throughout the entire 2020s decade. I hope you are too!