Return of NASCAR races to local speedway brings hope, economic boost

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — Officials say the return of NASCAR races to a local speedway is bringing hope and an economic boost to the community.

Saturday, thousands are expected to fill the Rockingham Speedway for the Twin 75's, featuring the UARA late model series and the Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals. Then on Sunday, the track will be full again for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200, a truck race series.

It is the first NASCAR race at "The Rock" since 2004, when NASCAR officials chose to pull the plug on the Sprint Cup series there and take business elsewhere.

City officials say when that happened, combined with the economic downturn of 2008, it was a challenging time.

"We lost textile jobs, we lost manufacturing jobs -- but the thing about this community that we're also very proud of, is that we didn't give up," said Mayor Gene McLaurin.

In 2007, former NASCAR driver Andy Hillenburg bought the track and vowed to return it to its former glory, including landing a new NASCAR contract.

Hillenburg's first professional race was at the Rock, and he also drove in the final race in 2004.

"It was always special to me," Hillenburg said.

Under his guidance, officials spent nearly $10 million in improvements to the track, and began a serious campaign in 2010 to lobby NASCAR officials to return to the Rock. In September of last year, Hillenburg received the news that officials agreed to come back.

"It's big for this community. It's a great community. It deserves this, to be back on the national stage," Hillenburg said.

The weekend's festivities are projected to bring nearly $10 million in economic impact and the possibility of 200-plus jobs.

Local business owners are excited.

"Everybody's upbeat about it, everybody's tickled to see it. I'm hoping we get a couple more races back, too," said Barry Bostick, who owns a local BP.

The festivities begin Thursday with a parade through downtown Rockingham.

WSOC