Rockingham Speedway officially sold to IHRA

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — An iconic North Carolina race track is now under a new ownership group.

The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) acquired Rockingham Speedway, according to a release issued by the drag racing entity. The deal’s terms were not disclosed.

NASCAR returned to Rockingham Speedway in 2025 after a hiatus that lasted over a decade. The track hosted NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck Series races in April. 

The IHRA says it intends to improve the facility and restore the track to its former glory. Organizers say they hope to make the track a multi-use destination.

“IHRA recognizes what Rockingham Speedway means to this community and to motorsports fans around the world,” said Darryl Cuttell, Owner of IHRA. “This is a special place with a strong foundation. Our goal is to be good stewards of the facility, respect its history, and work collaboratively to bring quality racing and entertainment back to The Rock.”

NASCAR is scheduled to bring the same two series to Rockingham in April on Easter Weekend, while the Cup Series is off.

Dan Lovenheim and the ownership group Rockingham Properties are generally credited with revitalizing the track, which sat mostly dormant since the Cup Series last raced at the track in 2004. The truck series returned in 2012 and 2013, and other motorsports events were held over the years, but the Richmond County site failed to bring in the excitement it once had.

The IRHA and Richmond County officials hope to make the facility a premier motorsports and entertainment destination.

“For decades, The Rock has been one of our community’s most recognizable and celebrated tourism icons,” Meghann Lambeth, the Executive Director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, said in a release. “We’re proud to continue supporting Rockingham Speedway as it draws visitors to Rockin’ Richmond County under the new ownership of the International Hot Rod Association.”

The IHRA is the second-largest drag racing series in the United States. The organization owns six racing facilities, including Darana Raceway and Heartland Motorsports Park. 

A lion’s share of tracks used on the NASCAR circuit are owned by two companies: Speedway Motorsports Incorporated (SMI) and International Speedway Corporation (ISC), the latter of which is a NASCAR-owned corporation. However, there are a few outliers. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is owned by Roger Penske, Pocono Raceway is owned by the Mattioli family, and Circuit of the Americas is owned by a private ownership group.