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The Rock That Came Back: Why This NASCAR Revival Story is Now For Sale

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Swaraj Patil | Last updated May 29, 2025 7:10 PM ET

After more than a decade away from NASCAR, Rockingham Speedway finally came back to life in 2025. The North Carolina track, nicknamed "The Rock," hosted NASCAR Truck and Xfinity Series races again and fans couldn't have been happier.

Built in 1965, Rockingham became a NASCAR staple where legends like Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt made history. Petty claimed 11 victories at the track, while Earnhardt secured his seventh championship there in 1994 before the Cup Series departed in 2004.

Owner Dan Lovenheim acquired the property in 2018, investing $9 million in state funding plus private investment for massive restoration. The team resurfaced the track and upgraded critical infrastructure, preparing for NASCAR's return after the last national series race in 2013.

Easter weekend 2025 was the big comeback moment. NASCAR returned with Truck, Xfinity and ARCA events. The Xfinity race was packed with 25,000 fans and over a million people watched on TV. It was the second-biggest TV audience ever for an Xfinity race at Rockingham.

The track is now for sale through CBRE Group with a new owner expected by July.

So why sell now after such a great comeback? Lovenheim says his team has done all they can. "We've basically taken it in first gear as far as we can go," he explained.

Some news: Rockingham Speedway is up for sale.

As owner Dan Lovenheim tells @theobserver: “The time is right to pass the baton to someone who can take it farther than we can.”

The latest on the NC track: https://t.co/b4R1xDImKA
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) May 28, 2025

The timing makes sense. There's a three-year NASCAR deal running through 2027 and there's even talk about Cup Series races coming back. Lovenheim believes someone else can take the track to the next level.

Whoever buys it will get a track that's already proven it can pack the stands and draw TV viewers. The Rock is back, and now it's ready for its next chapter.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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