ROCKINGHAM — A long-needed facility upgrade at Rockingham Dragway is now complete.
Track owners announced last week that the concrete grandstands have been repaired in advance of the NHRA Nationals in 2026.
“We hope you’re as proud of them as we are,” a Nov. 30 Facebook post reads.
Funding for the project came from the reallocation of $2 million that had been set aside for a pedestrian bridge across U.S. 1 connecting the dragway to neighboring Rockingham Speedway.
Legislators divided the funding to provide grants of $1.7 million to the dragway and $300,000 to the speedway for continued facility improvements.
“A huge THANK YOU to the State of North Carolina, Senator Dave Craven, Representative Ben Moss, NCDOT board member Pat Molamphy, Rockingham City Manager Monty Crump, and Richmond County Tourism Development Authority Director Meghann Lambeth for making this project possible,” the post continues. “The support we’ve received from the community and our local legislators has been absolutely incredible.”
Dragway co-owners Dan VanHorn and Al Gennarelli have steadily been making improvements to the facility since buying it from longtime owner Steve Earwood in late 2022, including repaving the track and upgrading bathrooms — partially funded by state grants.
Last year, the tower received a new roof and renovations to the third-floor suite, partially funded by grants from the Cole Foundation and Richmond County Tourism Development Authority.
Other renovations include moving the main gate to the front, adding a full bar with a covered dining area and a stage.
In November, the National Hot Rod Association announced that it would be bringing the second round of the playoffs to the Rock next year — the first points event ever held at the track.
Rockingham previously hosted the NHRA All-Star Invitational from 1989-1998, and has hosted the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Divisionals since 2015.
But with all the improvements already made, the track still has several more to go:
“We’ll continue improving your home track,” concludes the Nov. 30 post, “and we can’t wait to see you in the stands for upcoming events!”
