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Ed Clemente for The Fayetteville Observer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

NASCAR Xfinity Series Rockingham Preview

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Hayden Murdock | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 12:05 AM ET

The Xfinity Series is back racing at The Rock! Rockingham Speedway returns to the schedule after a 21-year hiatus. Here is all the information you need before Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 begins.

NASCAR Xfinity Series at Rockingham Speedway Preview and Predictions:

The Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series will be making noise at the long-forgotten Rockingham Speedway this weekend. While the Cup Series has the easter weekend off, the stars of NASCAR’s lower-tier series will be given the spotlight. The Xfinity Series caps off a revival weekend for Rockingham Speedway, which NASCAR starts with Trucks on Friday and ARCA on Saturday before the stars of the Xfinity Series put on a show.

Jamie McMurray went on a tear at Rockingham Speedway before NASCAR left the track in 2004. McMurray won four in a row at the track, once in 2002, both races in ’03, and the final in 2004.

Race Preview:

The North Carolina Education Lottery 250 is a 250-lap, 235-mile race around the 0.94-mile oval at Rockingham. The stage cautions will fall on laps 60 and 120, with the checkered flag on lap 250. The prize money purse is $1,651,939. The tires being used on the cars are the same as those used at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It is the tenth race of the 2025 Xfinity Series season.

It is the last race of the Dash For Cash prize series. The highest finisher out of Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, and Brandon Jones will earn a 100,000 dollar bonus.

The Track: Rockingham Speedway

With construction beginning in 1964 and the first race in October 1965, the North Carolina Motor Speedway, or as it has come to be known, Rockingham Speedway, was a staple of the NASCAR schedule for decades. Rockingham would host 78 Cup races and 42 Xfinity races until it was taken off the schedule in 2004.

The speedway would sit empty for 9 years, when new ownership would receive state and federal funding to revamp the track. With 9 million in funding, Rockingham would get a new coat of asphalt and fix the amenities. This put the speedway back on NASCAR’s radar, which gave it three races this easter weekend, ARCA, Trucks, and Xfinity.

Mark Martin holds the track record for wins with eleven wins.

Xfinity Series Points Record:

Here are the points standings for the Xfinity Series following Bristol:

1. Justin Allgaier: 395
2. Sam Mayer: 312
3. Jesse Love: 286
4. Austin Hill: 280
5. Connor Zilisch *: 260
6. Carson Kvapil *: 257
7. Brandon Jones: 253
8. Sheldon Creed: 252
9. Ryan Sieg: 249
10. Sammy Smith: 241

* Denotes Rookie

Drivers To Watch:

Kasey Kahne is making his return to the Xfinity Series, his first start since 2017. He will drive the #33 Hendrick Cars Chevy for Richard Childress Racing. Katherine Legge will drive the #32 Chevy for Jordan Anderson Racing. Justin Bonsignore is making another part-time start for Joe Gibbs Racing in their #19 Supra.

I wholeheartedly believe that Kasey Kahne is a favorite to win this race. While it is his first start since 2017, he has not been idle. He has been racing in Sprint Cars and winning. He recorded the eighth fastest lap of the test, and is in winning equipment with RCR.

Ryan Sieg was the second fastest in the test and has made starts at Rockingham in the Truck Series. Watch for him on Saturday.

Taylor Gray was the fastest Toyota in the test. He’s got a chip on his shoulder for the calamity that was Martinsville. Look out for him and his Toyota on Saturday.

How To Watch The Xfinity Series at Rockingham:

Friday, April 18th:

Practice:
- 3:00 PM Eastern
- Coverage is on the CW App

Saturday, April 19th:

Qualifying:
- 11:30 AM Eastern
- Coverage is on the CW App
The North Carolina Education Lottery 250:
- 4:00 PM Eastern
- Coverage is on the CW and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio/MRN