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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has allocated millions to improve three speedways.

The International Hot Rod Association has purchased Rockingham Speedway, adding another historic motorsports venue to its growing portfolio. The acquisition was confirmed in an official IHRA press release. The purchase follows IHRA’s recent acquisition of Memphis Motorsports Park and continues the organization’s expansion into track ownership and facility management.

Rockingham Speedway, widely known as “The Rock,” recently completed a major restoration project that included a full repave of the racing surface. The work returned the 0.94-mile oval to racing condition and positioned the track for continued national-level events.

IHRA confirms purchase and plans

According to the IHRA official press release, the organization plans to continue investing in Rockingham Speedway following the sale, with a focus on preserving the track’s history while improving the overall fan experience. A report by RacingNews.co writer Shane Walters also detailed IHRA’s next steps for the facility.

“The IHRA intends to expand on the upgrades, the report stated. Those plans include facility upgrades, expanded fan amenities, and the addition of entertainment elements such as concerts and festival-style experiences alongside marquee racing events.”

IHRA stated in its release that the organization intends to restore Rockingham Speedway to its former prominence while enhancing the venue as a multi-use destination. Planned improvements aim to keep the track active beyond race weekends while maintaining its traditional racing identity.

The purchase reflects IHRA’s broader strategy of reinvesting in historic motorsports venues while creating sustainable, fan-focused facilities.

NASCAR events scheduled at Rockingham for 2026

Rockingham Speedway is scheduled to host a national NASCAR weekend during Easter weekend in April 2026, according to the IHRA press release. The event will build on momentum from 2025, when NASCAR’s return to the track delivered strong attendance and national television exposure.

The April 2026 weekend is expected to feature the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series West, along with a full slate of on-track activity and fan-focused programming throughout the holiday weekend. IHRA noted that additional announcements regarding schedules and event details will be released in the coming months.

The IHRA release also confirmed that the organization is in discussions with experienced industry partners, including Bob Sargent and Track Enterprises, as part of its long-term planning for Rockingham Speedway beginning in 2026.

Darryl Cuttell and local leaders respond

IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell addressed the significance of Rockingham Speedway in comments included in the official IHRA press release.

“IHRA recognizes what Rockingham Speedway means to this community and to motorsports fans around the world, Cuttell said. 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.”

Cuttell later emphasized that IHRA does not plan to change what defines the track.

“This isn’t about changing what made Rockingham special Cuttell said.” “It’s about investing in it, taking care of it, and making sure it continues to be a place where great racing and great memories are made.”

Local tourism officials also welcomed the announcement. Meghann Lambeth, Executive Director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority, also spoke in the IHRA press release.

“For decades, The Rock has been one of our community’s most recognizable and celebrated tourism icons, Lambeth said. 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.”

With NASCAR events scheduled and further upgrades planned, Rockingham Speedway remains active on the national racing calendar as IHRA begins its stewardship of the historic facility.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce

TOWN OF POLK — The Midwest Motorsports Racers’ Expo has released a special incentive for racers across the region, rewarding drivers who finish in the top 10 in points at any race track or racing series in 2025 with free admission to the annual Midwest Racers Auction, a two-day event to be held Jan. 9-10 at Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Highway PV, Town of Polk.

The auction is one of the Midwest’s premier offseason gathering points for racers, teams, builders, and motorsports enthusiasts, according to a news release. Event attendees can find thousands of high-performance items up for bid, including race parts, safety gear, tools, shop equipment, collectibles, hard-to-find components, and more. The Midwest Racers’ Expo kicks off on Friday with the doors open at 3 p.m. and the first item to be sold at 4 p.m. On Saturday, the doors will open at 8 a.m. and the auction ring will go live at 9 a.m.

Auction manager David Deery noted in the release that this promotion is a small gesture to reward the efforts of racers in the area and simultaneously motivate others to perform at their best.

“Short-track racing thrives because of the racers and teams who pour their time, money and passion into the sport,” said Deery. “Offering free admission to the top-10 drivers is our way of giving back and making sure the people who keep this sport alive can take advantage of the deals, networking, and resources the Expo provides.”

Free admission applies to any driver who finished in the top 10 in points at a recognized short track or regional racing series during the 2025 season. Drivers must present proof of point standings at the admission gate. For more information, community members can visit midwestracersauction.com or call Gregg McKarns at 815-703-0285.

You may see a few more motorcycles on the highway this weekend.

But this is no ordinary gathering.

This is the unofficial start of the 2026 Women Riders World Relay.

It began in 2019 with women riders connecting across the globe.

After a pandemic pause – it’s back.

The U.S. leg begins in Rogers, but women all over the world will take part.

That’s all tracked by an app.

However, the digital baton still requires an in-person hand-off.

“Even though I am the creator of this app, I don’t have the baton. We have one ambassador in every country who is given that baton. And from there, they start to share it. And rather than passing it on and it’s gone, it splits off like atoms, so that ambassador can share it with 10 women and then those 10 women share it with 10 women. Now you have a hundred women sharing, and it’s going to keep building,” WRWR co-founder Liza Miller said.

The official start is happening Saturday.

Women riders will hit the highway, starting at Mach 1 Motorsports in Rogers.

It runs the entire year as they try to surpass the 20,000 riders in more than 100 countries who took part last time.

For more information, click here.

Watkins Glen International is mourning the loss of its former president, Michael Printup.

In a statement released late Thursday, Watkins Glen International said it is “saddened by the passing of former President Michael Printup, who led the facility for 15 years.”

“During his tenure, Michael played a key role in the continued growth and success of WGI, helping to strengthen its operations, partnerships, and standing within the motorsports industry while honoring the venue’s storied history,” the statement said. “Michael was a respected leader who left a lasting impact on the organization and those who worked alongside him. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.”

Printup spent nearly three decades in motorsports, including more than a decade leading Watkins Glen International. He became track president in June of 2009 and served in that role for more than 10 years.

During his tenure, the historic racetrack underwent approximately 56 million dollars in capital improvement projects, including major infrastructure upgrades and fan-experience enhancements. Attendance and national visibility also grew, with the NASCAR Cup Series weekend recording seven consecutive grandstand sellouts. The track also expanded into non-racing events, including music festivals for the band Phish and other large-scale special events.

Printup later joined Racing America in July of 2023 as president of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January of 2024, overseeing the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and all racing operations. Racing America also confirmed his passing, calling him “an icon in motorsports, a great partner and a friend.”

A native of Hamburg in the Buffalo area, Printup began his career with International Speedway Corporation in 2000 and previously served as senior director of facility management at Michigan International Speedway. He also oversaw NASCAR’s food service contract with Levy for 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks and previously served as president of Americrown, a NASCAR subsidiary.

WGI officials said Printup’s leadership and legacy continue to be felt at the track and throughout the motorsports community.

Printup is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his sons Brendan (Caitlin) and Matthew; and his granddaughters Sophia and Vivienne.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, 303 South Main Street in Summerville, South Carolina.

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Donny Schatz stepped on stage feeling bad for Johnny Gibson.

The suited men sat in front of hundreds at the 2025 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series Awards Banquet. Thousands more watched at home on DIRTVision. So many eyes fixed on them. Gibson’s job? To find the good in every competitor’s campaign as an avenue of introduction.

“How could he possibly spin this positively,” Schatz wondered. The 48-year-old had been in this position several times before when Gibson needed no creative optimism. Schatz’s résumé boasts so many successful seasons with The Greatest Show on Dirt that have occurred right alongside Gibson’s tenure.

Schatz knew 2025 was not among them. He went winless for the first time since his rookie year in 1997. Headlines showed his name, but not in the fashion he’s accustomed to. The Sprint Car world was rocked when Schatz and Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing parted ways in August, ending a run that began in 2008. The Fargo, ND native then split time driving four different cars to finish the season. No way Gibson could find a sliver of sunlight in an entirely overcast sky, right?

But the longtime Series announcer proved Schatz wrong. All it took was a little math.

“Like five minutes before I went up to go on stage, I actually said to myself, ‘I’m not sure what Johnny Gibson, and he’s the best at his job, could possibly talk about with me in front of the crowd here that has a silver lining,’ and I said that to him when I got up there,” Schatz said. “And he said, ‘It’s 30 years next year.’ And I said, ‘No, Johnny, it’s not 30 years. It’s 29.’ And he said, ‘No, it’s 30.’ I guess you just lose track of anything past the first couple. It’s crazy to think about.”

Since that realization washed over Schatz, more reasons to be hopeful have entered his life. Along with reaching a major milestone by contesting his 30th season in 2026, he’ll open a new chapter.

The 10-time Series champion recently inked a deal with Chad Clemens’ CJB Motorsports for the upcoming season. The move pairs Schatz with one of the sport’s most legendary mechanics, Barry Jackson. After enduring one of the most trying years of his career, the move rejuvenated the 48-year-old as he prepares for his World of Outlaws career to span three full decades.

“I wasn’t to my full potential to finish out the season probably mentally,” Schatz admitted. “When things happen, it’s like a snowball effect. When bad things happen, they just keep going. I had a lot of people stick their neck out for me, and I felt like I did the best I could to get to the end and we got there. But the off-season has been a big reset. It’s been a mental reset. It’s been a physical reset. For me to start over and recharge the batteries and refresh the attitude and all the things it takes. I’m super pumped. I’m ready to get back racing.”

It’s also a dream come true for Clemens as the team owner. He’s had plenty of the sport’s best drive for him in the past. Sammy Swindell, David Gravel, and Paul McMahan are just a few who’ve piloted CJB machines. Now, he gets to add one of Sprint Car racing’s most accomplished wheelmen ever to the list.

“This is a dream of a lifetime,” Clemens said of having Schatz drive for him. “Not only is he a hell of a driver and has a lot left in him yet, but he’s also a good friend too. It’s not like I just know him as a race car driver. I know him as a friend. It’s more than just a race car driver. He’s just a really down-to-earth, good person. His family is awesome. I always talked to his father at the races. I’ve always talked to his mom. I’ve talked to his sister. It’s going to be a dream come true.”

Hiring Schatz meant expanding to a two-car team as CJB continues to field the No. 5 for Brenham Crouch. Assembling a crew and the many resources for a second top-tier Sprint Car operation is no small task. But when the opportunity with Schatz arose, Clemens and Jackson didn’t wonder if it was possible. It was merely a question of how they could make it work.

“When this whole thing came to possibly happening, my first comment to Barry was, ‘I know we can’t let this not happen. We have to make this happen somehow,’” Clemens said. “I asked him, ‘Are we able with our current situation and equipment, and are you willing to go back to the Outlaws?’ And the answers were, ‘Yes and yes.’”

Teaming up is far from the first connection between Schatz and Jackson. Their relationship dates back several years as Jackson’s path crossed with Schatz’s longtime crew chief, Ricky Warner.  

“Barry is a Carlisle, Pennsylvania native, and he grew up with Rick Warner,” Schatz said. “Obviously, me and Rick have a good history together. Rick was someone that always confided in Barry for a lot of things. There was a time when Barry was building his own race cars, and I think we tried one a time or two at Oskaloosa and I think on the west coast. So, Barry is someone that’s been close back when I raced with Rick Warner. Ultimately, we respected each other. Barry is a very passionate, fiery person. You know what’s on his mind. I’m kind of the same way. I respect that.”

Roughly a month remains before the 2026 campaign begins. Luckily for the CJB crew, it ignites at a track that’s been kind to Schatz over the years. Barberville, FL’s Volusia Speedway Park is the destination in early February, and Schatz has won 24 times in 99 Sprint Car races at the 1/2 mile. With Schatz’s laps and Jackson’s extensive notebook, Schatz is optimistic they can come out of the gate swinging.

“It’s not going to take us six months to get going or get a win,” Schatz said. “I feel like we can get going right away because of Barry’s experience and my experience and obviously a fresh start. Those guys have been open to anything. They’ve asked me a lot, what it is I want to do here and there.”

Clemens shares his driver’s confidence.

“I think they’re going to start meshing right off the bat,” Clemens said. “Barry has a mindset that he wants to win and he’s driven and he’s dedicated, and Donny has the same mindset. When you have two guys that have the same mindset, I’m not going to put a projection on what I think we’re going to do, but I think it’s going to be a very positive year. I think it’s going to be a good year, and I have trust in both of them.”

Schatz’s plans are set. The season is nearing. Season number 30. A milestone that means so much to the kid from North Dakota that committed his life to Sprint Car racing. A number that’s put things in perspective and brightened his outlook as he readies for what’s ahead. He knows there’s plenty left in the tank. Schatz intends to contend in 2026.

“When it all comes together and we get to the first race, I think that’s when everybody is going to swallow hard and say, ‘Man, it took a lot to get to this point, but this is very rewarding and let’s go out and get some gators in Florida and get ourselves in a good position to race for a championship,” Schatz said.

Schatz and the CJB Motorsports No. 15 team will begin the 2026 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car season at Volusia Speedway Park’s Federated Auto Parts DIRTcar Nationals on Feb. 4-7. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

For the complete 2026 schedule, CLICK HERE.

If you can’t make it to the track, catch every lap live on DIRTVision.

DIRTcar Series PR

Photos courtesy of Racing America

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WENY) – The motorsports community is mourning the loss of Michael Printup, the former president of Watkins Glen International (WGI), who passed away unexpectedly yesterday at the age of 60. With a career spanning more than three decades, Printup dedicated his life to the sport he loved, leaving an indelible mark on the racing world.

Printup spent 15 years at Watkins Glen International, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the track’s legacy and fostering its connection with fans and the local community. After his time at WGI, he continued his work in motorsports as the Chief Operating Officer at Racing America.

Those who worked closely with Printup remember him as a humble leader who never sought the spotlight. Lee Giannone, CEO of Racing America, shared his reflections on Printup’s character and leadership. Giannone noted that Printup never put himself on a pedestal, instead focusing on building a strong team and fostering a culture that reflected his values. Even in the wake of his passing, Giannone expressed confidence in the quality of the staff Printup assembled, describing them as a testament to his leadership and vision.

Giannone also shared personal memories of Printup, highlighting his deep connection with the Watkins Glen community. Whether attending events or dining out, Printup was often stopped by fans and locals eager to greet him—a reflection of the genuine relationships he built over the years. Giannone described Printup as someone who was not only respected but also adored by those who knew him.

Reflecting on Printup’s impact, Giannone said, “We know how much Michael was adored in the community, and he was certainly a good friend for me. I joined as the CEO of Pro Motorsports Holdings, now Racing America, in February of this year. Michael was really the piece of that puzzle for me that made it possible to accomplish all that we did this year. Whether they remember Michael Printup, the man, or enjoy all the things that he helped to make permanent, I think that’s what you would know about him when you look around and you say, you know, this is a pretty special place that was helped to be put together by a pretty special man. And that’s how I would look at it. I’m sure Michael would enjoy that.”

As the motorsports world reflects on Michael Printup’s life and contributions, his legacy is evident in the relationships he built, the communities he touched, and the lasting impact he had on the sport he loved.

WENY News extends our deepest condolences to those at Watkins Glen International, Racing America and the Printup family.