Rockingham Speedway, which opened in 1965 as North Carolina Motor Speedway, has been purchased by the International Hot Rod Association.

The IHRA, based in Fairfield, Ohio, announced the purchase of Rockingham Speedway on New Year’s Eve 2025, just a day after it said it had acquired Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas. The announcement also came less than two months after the NHRA announced it would conduct a 2026 event at Rockingham Dragway, which is located across the street from the 1.017-mile oval that was a long-time home for NASCAR events.

In Wednesday’s announcement, the IHRA said its purchase of Rockingham Speedway reflected its “commitment to preserving motorsports heritage while thoughtfully reinvesting in legendary racing properties.”

“This is a special place with a strong foundation,” IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell said in a prepared statement. “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.”

Planned improvements include facility upgrades, expanded fan amenities, and the addition of entertainment elements such as concerts and festival-style experiences in addition to races.

eartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, Kansas.

NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts (formerly Xfinity) and Craftsman Truck series returned to Rockingham Speedway last year. They are scheduled to race this year at the facility April 3-4. The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has an open test scheduled at the track January 27-28.

In Wednesday’s release, IHRA leadership said conversations were underway with respected industry operators, including Bob Sargent and Track Enterprises which oversaw last year’s NASCAR weekend when the track was owned by Dan Lovenheim. Slightly more than a month after the sold-out 2025 NASCAR weekend, Lovenheim, who acquired the 250-acre property in August 2018, announced it was for sale.

Rockingham Speedway and Heartland Motorsports Park weren’t the only acquisitions the IHRA made in December 2025. Two days before Christmas, the IHRA announced it had acquired the facility in Millington, Tennessee, formerly known as Memphis International Raceway and Memphis Motorsports Park. In mid-December, the IHRA obtained Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pennsylvania.

In addition to track purchases, in the last two months of 2025, the IHRA acquired F1 Powerboat Racing and the World Drag Racing Alliance, created an alliance with the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association and the Hot Shot’s Secret Pro Pulling League, and launched a new stock car racing series that will conduct events at tracks in the Southeast and Midwest. The eight-race IHRA Stock Car Series schedule begins March 21 at Pulaski (Virginia) Motorsports Park and ends October 17 at Memphis Motorsports Park.

A North Carolina native, Deb Williams is an award-winning motorsports journalist who is in her fourth decade covering auto racing. In addition to covering the sport for United Press International, she has written motorsports articles for several newspapers, magazines and websites including espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Her awards include the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, two-time National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year, and two-time recipient of the Russ Catlin award. She also has won an award in the North Carolina Press Association’s sports feature category.  During her career, Deb has been managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and was with Winston Cup Scene and NASCAR Winston Cup Scene for 18 years, serving as the publication’s editor for 10 years. In 2024 she was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame. 

FAIRFIELD, Ohio — The International Hot Rod Association has purchased NASCAR national series track Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina.

The IHRA announced the purchase Wednesday. The Rockingham Properties group owned the track for seven years and brought NASCAR national series racing back in April 2024. Capitalizing on the momentum from the success of the weekend, the group put the track up for sale in May 2024 – leading to the IHRA sale.

“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.”

The IHRA stated this move “reflects its commitment to preserving motorsports heritage while thoughtfully reinvesting in legendary racing properties.”

IHRA’s other purchase, Heartland Motorsports Park, opened in 1963. NHRA raced at the property’s drag strip and NASCAR, ARCA and TransAm racing at the road course. Ultimately, the track closed in 2023 and was proposed for redevelopment. However, IHRA is promising “revitalized drag racing operations” and renovations to bring more motorsports back to the property.

“Motorsports has to evolve to stay strong,” Cuttell said. “The future is about creating places where racing, music, entertainment, and community come together. Heartland has all the pieces to become one of the premier motorsports and entertainment destinations in the country.”

It’s unclear yet what racing series could come to Heartland Motorsports Park. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series raced there from 1995 to 1999 while the ARCA Menards Series raced there in 1991 and 1992.

Rockingham Speedway will host its first NASCAR race weekend under IHRA ownership in April 2026 with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series East. Sammy Smith, Tyler Ankrum and Brent Crews won there in those series in 2025.

Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.

A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.

Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick’s final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen’s stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers’ stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.

Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com

Era Motorsport finalized its driver lineup for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, headlined by former Formula 1 driver Logan Sargeant. 

The team also confirmed Ferdinand Habsburg, a champion in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Asian Le Mans Series and European Le Mans Series, along with tech pioneer Naveen Rao. The trio, along with a yet-to-be-named FIA silver-rated driver, will share the No. 18 Oreca 07 LMP2 for the upcoming endurance classic. 

This will mark Sargeant’s debut in the Rolex 24, with his only previous experience in IMSA coming in the final two rounds last year with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports. 

“I’m super excited to be tackling my first-ever Daytona 24 with Era to kick off 2026,” said Sargeant, a native Floridian. “It’s a race I’ve always wanted to be part of, with how close it is to home. It’ll be great to get acquainted with my teammates at the ROAR and push hard to come away with a Rolex at the end of the race.”

In addition to championship-winning experience in various series, Habsburg comes in also having an LMP2 class win in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He, along with Rao, are set for contest the full slate of endurance rounds. 

“There is something truly special about starting the season in Daytona,” said Habsburg. “This will be my fifth time racing at the Rolex 24 and my first full IMSA Endurance season.

“I am really looking forward to working with Era Motorsport. They showed in 2024 that they know how to win this race, and I will give everything I have to make it happen again this year. I came close to grabbing that Rolex in 2022, and this could finally be the year I get it. I am also excited to race at iconic tracks like Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta.”

Rao, who made his name as a pioneer of artificial intelligence in the tech world, has also built a solid reputation as a racer having previously claimed an LMP3 title.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Era Motorsport for the 2026 IMSA season,” said Rao. “We’ve built a strong team and I’m confident in what we can do together. My focus now is on preparing as best as possible and seeing everything come together at Daytona.”

The 2026 season will mark the seventh year for Era Motorsport competing in IMSA’s LMP2 class. Over that time, they have scored two wins at Daytona and two championship podiums. And team owner Kyle Tilley is excited for the possibilities of this roster adding to that success. 

“I have no doubt in my mind that this year is going to be a great one,” said Tilley. “Even though it’s a big switch-up from our 2025 season, everyone has been wonderful to work with and has already proven themselves capable behind the wheel.

“The LMP2 class is the most competitive it’s ever been, so we know it’s going to be tough. But just like every other year, we’re here to win, and we’ll do everything it takes to make that happen.”

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– The Motorsport.com Team

Era Motorsport has revealed its new livery and formally confirmed most of its Rolex 24 At Daytona driver line-up, featuring Formula 1 alumni Logan Sargeant, and multi-time LMP2 racing champion Ferdinand Habsburg.

Together with Bronze driver Naveen Rao, they’ll drive the new-look No. 18 ORECA 07-Gibson LMP2 at Daytona, sporting a new purple and white livery.

It will be Sargeant’s first Rolex 24 start, after making his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut in September at the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – under the management of five-time IMSA champion Oliver Gavin.

“I’m super excited to be tackling my first-ever Daytona 24 with Era to kick off 2026,” said Sargeant. “It’s a race I’ve always wanted to be part of, with how close it is to home. It’ll be great to get acquainted with my teammates at the Roar (Before The 24) and push hard to come away with a Rolex at the end of the race.”

Rao, the 2020 IMSA Prototype Challenge champion, made his return to the WeatherTech series at Road America – his first start in the championship since 2021. This will be his first full-season IMSA LMP2 campaign, after two starts in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a full 2024-25 Asian Le Mans Series season.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Era Motorsport for the 2026 IMSA season,” said Rao. “We’ve built a strong team and I’m confident in what we can do together. My focus now is on preparing as best as possible and seeing everything come together at Daytona.”

Joining Rao for the Michelin Endurance Cup is Habsburg, who has won LMP2 titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European, and Asian Le Mans Series. In September, he gave the Alpine Endurance Team its first WEC Hypercar win at the 6 Hours of Fuji.

“There is something truly special about starting the season in Daytona,” Habsburg said. “This will be my fifth time racing at the Rolex 24 and my first full IMSA endurance season.

“I am really looking forward to working with Era Motorsport. They showed in 2024 that they know how to win this race, and I will give everything I have to make it happen again this year. I came close to grabbing that Rolex in 2022, and this could finally be the year I get it. I am also excited to race at iconic tracks like Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta.”

Era Motorsport will reveal its fourth driver for Daytona, and third driver for the remaining IMSA Endurance Cup races, at a later date. The provisional entry list for the Rolex 24 that was released by IMSA in December listed Indy NXT driver James Roe as the designated Silver driver alongside Rao, Habsburg, and Sargeant.

“I have no doubt in my mind that this year is going to be a great one,” said team owner Kyle Tilley. “Even though it’s a big switch-up from our 2025 season, everyone has been wonderful to work with and has already proven themselves capable behind the wheel.

“The LMP2 class is the most competitive it’s ever been, so we know it’s going to be tough. But just like every other year, we’re here to win, and we’ll do everything it takes to make that happen.”

2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Series schedule

(All races will air on the CW)

• Feb. 14: Daytona International Speedway, 5 p.m.
• Feb. 21: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 5 p.m.
• Feb. 28: Circuit of the Americas, 3 p.m.
• March 7: Phoenix Raceway, 7:30 p.m.
• March 14: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 5:30 p.m.
• March 21: Darlington Raceway, 5:30 p.m.
• March 28: Martinsville Speedway, 3:30 p.m.
• April 4: Rockingham Speedway, 2:30 p.m.
• April 11: Bristol Motor Speedway, 7:30 p.m.
• April 18: Kansas Speedway, 7 p.m.
• April 25: Talladega Superspeedway, 4 p.m.

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• May 2: Texas Motor Speedway, 3:30 p.m.
• May 9: Watkins Glen International, 4 p.m.
• May 16: Dover Motor Speedway, 4 p.m.
• May 23: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5 p.m.
• May 30: Nashville Superspeedway, 7:30 p.m.
• June 13: Pocono Raceway, 4 p.m.
• June 20: Naval Base Coronado, 5 p.m.
• June 27: Sonoma Raceway, 5:30 p.m.
• July 4: Chicagoland Speedway, 5:30 p.m. 
• July 11: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 7 p.m.
• July 25: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4 p.m. 
• Aug. 8: Iowa Speedway, 5 p.m.
• Aug. 28: Daytona International Speedway, 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 5: Darlington Raceway, 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 12: World Wide Technology Raceway, 7:30 p.m.

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PLAYOFFS

• Sept. 18: Bristol Motor Speedway, 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 3: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 10: Charlotte ROVAL, 4 p.m.
• Oct. 17: Phoenix Raceway, 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 24: Talladega Superspeedway, 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 31: Martinsville Speedway, 4 p.m.
• Nov. 7: Homestead-Miami Speedway, 5 p.m.

By Neha Dwivedi, Staff Writer

Reports confirmed that Michael Printup, the longtime president of Watkins Glen International, passed away suddenly after nearly three decades of service within NASCAR. Printup led Watkins Glen from 2009 through 2023 and stepped away from the role shortly before the venue’s annual NASCAR weekend to join the Racing America leadership team.

Announcing the news, Racing America issued a statement expressing its grief: “Racing America is devastated to confirm the sudden passing of Chief Operating Officer Michael Printup. Michael was an icon in motorsports, a great partner and a friend. His passion for racing and commitment to the industry made a lasting impact on the sport. He will be deeply missed. Racing America sends our thoughts and condolences to Michael’s family, friends and colleagues.”

Racing America also outlined Printup’s brief but influential tenure with the organization. When Printup joined the organization in 2023, he was appointed president of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. But within a year, in January 2024, he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, a role in which he oversaw the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and all racing operations.

Before that, Printup had devoted nearly 30 years to NASCAR, most prominently as president of Watkins Glen International. His résumé also included serving as president of Americrown, where he oversaw the Levy foodservice contract across 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks.

Printup is survived by his wife, Stephanie Printup, their two sons, Brendan (Caitlin) and Matthew Printup, and two granddaughters, Sophia and Vivienne. Racing America announced that a memorial service will take place on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, located at 303 S. Main Street in Summerville, South Carolina.

But his most prominent work came at Watkins Glen. During his leadership at the road course track, Printup guided the facility through a period of sustained growth, strengthening operations and partnerships while respecting the circuit’s heritage. Attendance climbed as demand increased, fueled by memorable moments and headline races that strengthened the track’s place on the NASCAR calendar.

Even as NASCAR’s overall in-person attendance declined between 2009 and 2023, Printup and his staff consistently drew big crowds to Watkins Glen. The venue has averaged roughly 100k fans on race weekends, cementing its status as both a regional attraction and a NASCAR mainstay.

Watkins Glen International also released its own tribute, noting, “Watkins Glen International 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 Watkins Glen International, helping to strengthen its operations, partnerships, and standing within the motorsports industry while honoring the venue’s storied history. 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.”

Tributes extended beyond the United States as well. Australian NBC Sports broadcaster Leigh Diffey shared a heartfelt message, writing:

“Terribly sad news to start a new year with. Michael was always so generous with his time whenever we’d be at @WGI… always had a big smile and a great outlook. Nothing was ever a hassle … he’d often say whatever we can do please let us know. Thoughts with his family.”