Page 9 - Richmond Co NCG 2019

Solid as The Rock

Iconic Speedway Changes Gears, But Still Draws a Crowd

tarting in 1964, the Rockingham destination for visitors and a profitable we recruiting music festivals, but 5Ks, drag
Speedway, known as The Rock, hosted amenity for area businesses. racing, motorsports racing, and any
some of the greatest American race car Now described as a festival site, complete type of event looking for a festival-type
S drivers of all time. Unfortunately, with campgrounds and ample parking, setting,” Butler said.
the track was closed in 2004 and the once The Rock offers 550 acres of land that can There is no doubt that this story has
legendary arena became a monument to the accommodate up to 65,000 people a day. been bittersweet for Rockingham and
past – a reminder of the spectators who once The Epicenter, an annual 3-day rock music Richmond County, but Butler sees the next
flocked to the area and their impact on the festival series, was the site’s inaugural event phase of The Rock’s history as just another
local economy. in 2019. The spring festival was the largest chapter in its legacy. “It’s a phoenix project,”
Fast-forward 15 years and the former event Richmond County had ever hosted Butler said. “It was a very iconic speedway
speedway is rising above the racing and included big names like the Foo Fighters, with a lot of history there. And, yes, the
dust. Powered by a partnership between Tool and Evanescence. speedway died, but the history continues.
Rockingham Dragway, Richmond County Martie Butler, Economic Developer for And with the music festival we will be hosting
and a group of the area’s property owners, Richmond County, is excited about all the more people than we ever did before.”
The Rock is being re-established as a possibilities this venue presents. “Not only are ~by Bonnie Hunter

Richmond County Chamber of Commerce | 910.895.9058 | richmondcountychamber.com 7