Moore, Richmond boast economic impact of NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway

Staff Report

ROCKINGHAM — The Sandhills saw an influx of nearly $40 million during the Easter weekend return of NASCAR to Rockingham Speedway.

According to the Pinehurst Southern Pines Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau, Moore County saw an economic impact of $28 million, while $11.8 million was spent in hosting Richmond County.

The information reportedly was compiled by IMPLAN, “a leading provider of economic impact data,” and combines revenue from lodging, dining, retail, fuel and ticket purchases.

The press release states that hotel occupancy in Moore County was up 2.1% from the previous year, and short-term rentals saw a 2.3% rise in occupancy and 3.8% hike in revenue.

“From all accounts, we’ve heard nothing but great feedback about the race weekend, the fan experience and the ease of getting to and from the track from visitors coming to the area for the races,” Phil Werz, president and CEO of the CVB said in a press release. 

“Despite the race being held on Easter weekend and in the middle of peak golf season, we know more than a dozen NASCAR teams, crew members and hundreds of fans scooped up a good portion of available lodging options in Moore County,” Werz added. “It was great to see racing back at The Rock and we know it will be back next year, too.”

Citing figures from promoter Track Enterprises, the release states that 40,000 fans attended the two-day, which featured races in NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck and Xfinity series, as well as one in the ARCA Menards Series East. More than 25,000 tickets were reportedly sold for the Xfinity race.

Before this year, it had been more than a decade since NASCAR brought the truck series to the Rock and 21 years since the Xfinity Series last ran.

The press release credits the track’s revival to the $9 million allocated from the Motorsports Relief Fund and administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce in 2022 “in hopes of enhancing the local tourism, travel and hospitality industries that benefit from motorsports impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Improvements made to the track included repaving the oval and the infield road course, new SAFER barriers and renovations of the suites and media center.

“Bringing NASCAR back to The Rock has reignited a strong sense of pride and nostalgia throughout Richmond County and the Sandhills region, while also serving as an exciting alternative tourism driver,” Martie Butler, management analyst and economic developer for Richmond County said in the release. 

“We deeply value the partnership we’ve built with our neighbors in Moore County,” Butler added. “Though widely known as a premier golf destination, Moore County has warmly embraced NASCAR and our passionate fan base.”

The track was purchased in 2018 by Rockingham Properties for $2.8 million and began hosting events in early 2021. MB Drift began its fifth season at the track this year and has its second competitive event later this month. The third race for the season in the track’s own grassroots Crown 9 series, which began last year, is this weekend.

Other motorsports events have included a race in the Carolina Mini Stock series, Seat Time Driving Experience and Monster Truckz.

The track has also hosted a rodeo, circus and several concerts.

Last week, it was announced that the track has been listed for sale. 

According to the CVB press release, the Craftsman Truck and Xfinity series are “expected” to return in 2026, however there has been no official confirmation.