Rockingham Speedway Repave Visit (December 2022)

Рет қаралды 33,006

Жыл бұрын

We stopped by Rockingham Speedway in early December 2022 to get a look at the repaving process going on. As you might expect its an excruciatingly boring process BUT very cool to see it happen. We learned some neat Information about the process and how the banking of the track has actually changed over time! Hopefully we see this place back on the NASCAR schedule soon!
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Пікірлер: 133

@g_men2121 Жыл бұрын

If they add lights to the track, it’d be cool to see NASCAR rotate between Charlotte, North Wilkesboro and Rockingham for the All Star race

@johnhaas2523 Жыл бұрын

Won't happen. The All-Star race will most likely never go back to Charlotte. Rockingham isn't even going to come back to NASCAR no matter how much fans or the track owners want it all because it isn't owned NASCAR or speedway Motorsports

@g_men2121 Жыл бұрын

@@johnhaas2523 NASCAR could buy them out. Hell they got the money for it. A lot of fans want it back

@imspeed535 Жыл бұрын

Really gonna have some nascar thunder rocking night fantasy races lol, that would be sick

@shafranski5615 Жыл бұрын

@@johnhaas2523 Neither NASCAR nor SMI own Pocono, Gateway, Cota, or Road America. Only recently Dover and Nashville were purchased by SMI.

@prevost8686 Жыл бұрын

@@g_men2121 I grew up 2 miles from the Rock. It wasn’t selling out in the last years that it was on the circuit. Why? One word. DEMOGRAPHICS. In the 60s-80s Rockingham was a thriving blue collar town with textiles and railroad at its core. In short, this was the demographic that made NASCAR what it was as far as popularity. Fast forward to the passage of NAFTA and every single textile manufacturer in the county had closed their mills and moved offshore. I could take you to every single mill site that is nothing but a vacant lot with trash and graffiti everywhere. At least a dozen sites that previously employed thousands of NASCAR fans. Lastly, CSX Railroad moved all of their operations out of the county. There went thousands more jobs as well as the tax dollars that they payed in the county. Richmond County is nothing but a hollowed out shell filled with drug related crimes like B&E , drug trafficking, and domestic violence. Gone are the 30 somethings that used to make a decent living there. NASCAR knows this. Hell, as economically vibrant as the Charlotte area is they’re not selling out either. Charlotte is only an hour ride away from Rockingham so the few fans left there just go to Charlotte. All of the better eateries and hotels are in Moore County so you really can’t even get a good meal there anymore. I still visit Rockingham from time to time because my mom is still living there but when she passes I wouldn’t care if I never go back there again. Nothing but reminders of what used to be everywhere you look.

@MM_in_Havasu Жыл бұрын

Glad to see that "The Rock" is getting a fresh paving job, would love to see this track back in the regular NASCAR schedule! Thank you, Mitch, for posting this update video, right there with you!

@stevenyoung9461 Жыл бұрын

Born in 92. Watching the Bobby Labonte Earnhardt dual here was truly one of my greatest sports memories. This was hands down my favorite track as a kid. Bring back the rock!

@coletrickle113 Жыл бұрын

Lets not forget about Mark Martin!😉

@jerrypatterson6356 10 ай бұрын

Hopefully we will see NASCAR back there again….Great video

@marks8068 Жыл бұрын

Good to see its getting saved from demolition, and redone, the shorter tracks like this on the Nascar schedule were my favorites back in the day :)

@MtPilot-mh3zl Жыл бұрын

Last time i was there was 1993 because I had won a 3 day trip Buck Baker Racing School . Got about 150 laps driving the #88 Oldsmobile . Met Buck and Buddy what a blast it was. I will never forget it !

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome

@michijimc9753 4 ай бұрын

Born in Rockingham and watched a beaucoup of races there. Moved to Michigan in 1979 to live. Your opening shot was where my package of seats were from 1990-1995. Brought some of my coworkers down and used local connections to get into garage area. Always liked this track especially after the surface treatment was applied. The gravel you mentioned probably comes from Vulcan materials out in Cordova, NC. Thanks for your always informative content.

@stapleton42extra 2 ай бұрын

thanks man!

@stephenlittle7769 Жыл бұрын

Last time I was there was in 2001 when Kevin Harvick won his first Busch championship. I hope Nascar uses it again.

@communityracecar Жыл бұрын

Another great video! The milling machines are so cool!

@curtisquick5471 Жыл бұрын

Saw my first Nascar race in 1997 from that same area you're standing in. Bobby Hamilton brought the #43 home in first... on a Monday.

@Dan-dm2pm Жыл бұрын

Rockingham was a Awesome Track back in the day...Wish Nascar would bring it back!

@dancremering1198 Жыл бұрын

Love seeing this. It would be awesome if you could document some of Wilkesboro's restoration as well. Thank you for the great content.

@MrMikeT89 Жыл бұрын

Closest I've seen to this was the Freedom Factory which seems so much smaller. Quite the undertaking. Cool to see a piece of motorsports history being revived! Well done as always!

@christophertoscano2026 Жыл бұрын

I’m sure it’s a special mix design for the asphalt I work at a asphalt plant

@georgedreisch2662 Жыл бұрын

Wild to think how these tracks would have been paved before the advent of the digital controls available today, and how they got the results they did. I’d expect lap times will drop, for surface consistency. Thanks for sharing!

@macsmith-cg6wg 2 ай бұрын

My all time favorite track 👍🚩

@brockjameson400 Жыл бұрын

Rockingham is one of my favorite tracks. Great racing!! Would be absolutely wonderful if the rock could get back to what it was.

@TravisHargiss Жыл бұрын

I was able through live streams and my dads knowledge in this kind of construction to experience PIR in Arizona go through a total overhaul when they moved the start finish line and reconfigured pit road. They even put a drive under tunnel in, its so cool! Thanks for sharing up close!

@donaldhalls2189 Жыл бұрын

Awesome thanks for sharing, those machines are something to see, all the best to yous and your loved ones

@brianclayton3898 3 ай бұрын

I was there attending races in the late 80's and early 90's. I was at a spring race there and had to buy sweat shirts so i wouldn't freeze to death. We didn't know that it was going to be in the 40's with 25-30mph winds with gusts in the 40's.

@Robert_StapletonJR Жыл бұрын

Interesting process: My best analogy is/was the 1st time I went to a PGA Tour event after watching the tournament on a flat screen for years. And only as a spectator: I can only imagine what it's like on any of the T boxes, approach shots, or lining up a putt, you just don't see the elevation changes, and all the different nuances your eye picks-up & camera flattens. Now, being at the track versus watching is so superior to TV, and can only imagine what its like strapped into a racecar, hearing that engine, smelling the fuel, burnt rubber, and brake dust...dare I say pushing the accelerator, shifting thru the gears, and negotiating the corners 🙂

@arthurfricchione8119 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video guys. While watching I couldn’t help but wonder what its like going say 150MPH + with 42 other cars bumper to bumper. Entering that banking. Thanks for sharing 👍

@TahoesNTurbos Жыл бұрын

what perfect timing! awesome video and thank you for the update. i cant wait to see this place reborn

@gulfgal98 Жыл бұрын

The Rock was my favorite track of the eight tracks I attended over the years. I was fortunate enough to see the next to the last race ever run there in the fall of 2003 (I think). It was a very cold and miserable day, but my best friend who was a huge Bill Elliott fan got to see Bill's last win that day. The problem with the Rock was that NASCAR had allowed the facility to deteriorate to the detriment of fan comfort. The seats at the Rock were the narrowest I have ever seen. It was so uncomfortable for both my friend and I even though we both were quite thin. NASCAR made a huge mistake in thinking that they could expand the sport beyond just the traditional southern tracks with a bunch of boring 1.5 mile clones. It was tracks like the Rock and Darlington that made racing interesting. Hopefully, they will bring a Cup race back there some day.

@NickyD Жыл бұрын

it wasnt popular simple never was selling out nascar isnt gonna go to a track that doesnt

@gulfgal98 Жыл бұрын

@@NickyD I have attended races at tracks diverse as Talladega, Louden, the Monster Mile, Martinsville, Atlanta, Daytona, and Darlington in addition to the Rock. While Darlington was old, the facility was far more fan friendly than the Rock. All the other facilities had reasonably comfortable or updated seating and restrooms. Seats at the Rock were so narrow that two skinny women were uncomfortable in them The rest of the facility looked like it was stuck in the 50's. The Rock was allowed to deteriorate on purpose and then was given two of the worst dates on the calendar because NASCAR had determined it was going to be phased out in favor of expanding the sport outside the South.

@vinceedwards575 Жыл бұрын

I watched Neil Bonnett go to victory lane at Rockingham March of 88.. my 18th birthday.

@tsmcbride06 Жыл бұрын

Saw Neil's car under the tarp the day after. Also a fan

@Blackswan19874 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the update on the Rock , can’t find much in the news about it. Your videos are right up there with Cleetus McFarlands and Vice Grip Garage. Your zeal to keep NASCAR history relevant is greatly appreciated and a real joy to watch ! Hope many others discover your channel and subscribe….. totally worth it !♥️

@brflechs Жыл бұрын

They tested modifieds on Little Rock on the backstretch and saw they will add about 5k seats to it and have restrooms and Concessions ….think modifieds planned to run there later this year and they are looking at running the CARS tour potentially next year also on little roxk

@hankhell5663 Жыл бұрын

Shit is getting real with these classic tracks. I’m so happy about this 😂

@jasonjackson5493 Жыл бұрын

Man just watched the 04 cup race fr there......just incredible racing with 3 grooves available all thru the race.....lots of throttle work with the big HP back then just awesome racing

@nathanandrick8634 Жыл бұрын

I was the one on that milling machine. Was a pretty cool project

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome 😂

@dennislamers986 Жыл бұрын

It is quite a process. Keeping equipment on a pitch takes some fore thought.

@redneck982 Жыл бұрын

So cool that the rock is coming back.I love the track.Thanx for the video man🍻

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@chadmurtorff573 Жыл бұрын

Damn buddy you 2 are just out here getting baller content keep it up Mitchell

@jeffjohnston3504 Жыл бұрын

One day I'll make it down there. I used to pour hot mix years ago. It would be cool to be on that job. Going to rewatch the mentioned videos again. Pretty cool stuff. North Wilkesboro too.

@pittsky Жыл бұрын

This made my day. Great unique track.

@davewilliams1097 Ай бұрын

We had our motorhome in the infield for an ARCA race which we were scoring and spotting for, and after the race there was a really nice million-dollar motorhome went to leave and when he went up the banking to go out of that crossover in turn 3, he is momentum carried him so far that his rear wheels came off the ground when the rear bumper dug into the asphalt... not funny, but it really was funny!!

@LesMorrisracing Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mitch and Logan for the video

@nathanbillingsley42 Жыл бұрын

Everytime I hear of a track being repaved I think of the picture of Daytona and Talladega when they were being built. All the equipment had to be tethered to another piece of equipment on the top of the turns

@JohnRoberts71 Жыл бұрын

Great content thanks for sharing

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@eddyblackburn8092 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mitch, Eddy from Myrtle Beach SC ! Been there for like 20 races , again been gone awhile but back and so glad to see this ! Catching up brother on videos ! Y’all have good night !

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

Thanks eddy we’re glad to see your name again!

@DannyWalker247 Жыл бұрын

I drove by Daytona Speedway on the way to work during their repave. I think it cost around 22 million. Getting that asphalt onto the banks at Daytona requires quite a few heavy equipment tricks. They actually set up a big asphalt plant in the old back stretch parking area. They were loading those dump trucks one right after another all day long.

@mikekenyon3322 Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@rebelracing88 Жыл бұрын

Nice to see the Rock get some love. Hasn’t been repaved since 1994 if memory serves me right.

@chev500l8 Жыл бұрын

1994 sounds about right, it lasted almost 3o years, hopefully it will be on the circuit again 🙏🏼

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

I believe it will be…with time

@billmccandless5764 Жыл бұрын

We came through Rockingham today coming back from the beach.

@awesomebillfromdawsonville8715 Жыл бұрын

Awesome video 👍

@jcballar100 Жыл бұрын

There is a video the track put out when they redone Atlanta year before last and it’s super Streep now it’s pretty cool

@telecasteroil Жыл бұрын

The Rock is coming back that's so awesome 👌

@homelite3392 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Motorsports Relief Fund giving by the Tax Payers of North Carolina is why you're seeing the work North Wilkesboro and Rockingham FASCAR didn't have anything to do with it but they're taking the credit

@richardharvey8939 Жыл бұрын

Loved it

@kevincorbat7084 Жыл бұрын

3:30 that's the truth, went to a couple of the stock car reunions and the open house last year and I walked up that banking and was blown away. Always thought Michigan had big banks but Michigan ain't got nothing on the rock

@TheCrewChief374 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting video.

@jdtractorman7445 Жыл бұрын

I hope the repave and updates to the track brings the fans back. Remember when Nascar left it was because the sport was "growing" but also because they could not get enough people to fill those stands. I hope it works out for them though. Also, a repave is not always the best thing for the quality of the racing. Numerous times I have heard drivers say they like a track that has a weathered surface, so you have to drive the car instead of just steering it through the turns. I wish them luck.

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

They used the same local stone so it should have the same effect. Having the race in not cold weather would help a lot

@JayStephens8 Жыл бұрын

Really hope rockingham comes back on the schedule 🤞

@NickyD Жыл бұрын

not happening

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

I hope so too!

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

Wilkesboro was farther gone than this place

@metrickarma Жыл бұрын

Sweet video

@johnnyrocket7922 Жыл бұрын

You need to do more of this style of videos

@buttslappingpirate Жыл бұрын

A note: This isn't a small track.

@jdmills4370 Жыл бұрын

4:45 That is the strangest Zamboni I’ve ever seen…..

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

😂

@dontask8979 Жыл бұрын

The day that green flag drops again will be a great day. Thanks for another great video.

@robertbarone2306 Жыл бұрын

They need to get out of L.A. and Chicago and come back to the heart of Nascar's history

@NickyD Жыл бұрын

arent happening get with the times bommer la sells out out

@brflechs Жыл бұрын

Sponsors want to be in LA and Chicago ….maybe they can get Trucks or Xfinity back not sure they can get Cup back unless it’s one off like the All Star

@JJA1987 Жыл бұрын

Cup will go back there - Sponsors don't know everything.

@pumpkinking5174 Жыл бұрын

@@NickyD LA doesn't sell out shit. Keep commenting genius.

@c.johnweir182 Жыл бұрын

I saw them repaving Daytona years back and then Juan Pablo Montoya destroying it after making a right-hand turn when his steering column broke into the jet dryer. How many guys does it take to take out a jet dryer? Just Juan.

@benrossbach6501 Жыл бұрын

Is it me or is it funny that there are way less people paving at a crazy angle than there are paving a highway.

@jasonjackson5493 Жыл бұрын

I hope the repave doesn't take the character out of it with all the bumps and stuff

@seanparksgaming Жыл бұрын

Surprised you didn't get pieces of track for souvenirs

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

We have a pile of millings lol

@seanparksgaming Жыл бұрын

@@stapleton42extra nice, should send some to people who sent things to you

@c.johnweir182 Жыл бұрын

I've seen all those videos but I don't know if they're going to put the grandstands back on the backstretch? I know they got different plans in different sections but I really don't know if they're going to put the grandstands back cause that's loss ticket revenue. Just like Daytona international speedway they are losing a lot of revenue with the stands that are missing in ticket sales with the loss of the backstretch seats. Besides by building up all the grandstands. I loved the cheap seats on the backstretch. $25-$55 for back stretch seats.

@talonranch Жыл бұрын

are they adding safer barrier

@chriswilgus165 Жыл бұрын

Look...it's a resurfacing..😳 o.m.g. I can't believe it...🙄

@IcyKcominyourway Жыл бұрын

I wanted to find out. Is there enough money left, in the North Carolina State Budget, or have officials at Rockingham Speedway said, if they are going to use any money left over, from the American Rescue Plan, to install additional SAFER Barrier, on top of what they already have?

@johnhaas2523 Жыл бұрын

I believe the money they got went to pavement and maybe the lights

@HisTime1 8 ай бұрын

1 More track with Character gone just like the waves and roles in Charlotte.

@stapleton42extra 7 ай бұрын

This track had massive pot holes it was almost unusable

@greenmirror5555 Жыл бұрын

Hey Mitchell are you interested in going on a R07 adventure in Tennessee for me?

@waynekaminski5438 Жыл бұрын

Did a new owner buy the track? How much money does it take to revitalize Rockingham? What is the goal going to be to make this a money maker and recoup all the investment being put in? Thanks as always for the great videos!

@c.johnweir182 Жыл бұрын

Where are they now? Its now April of 2023...

@michaelreynolds1904 Жыл бұрын

I'm not a fan of NASCAR but you have done a great job documenting some of the history.

@evanbordash8580 Жыл бұрын

Anybody know if the infield got any attention?

@stapleton42extra Жыл бұрын

infield was not paved but it also wasn't bad like the main surface

@evanbordash8580 Жыл бұрын

@@stapleton42extra yea I agree, was just curious.

@stevesweet6642 Жыл бұрын

Why are they removing more seats?

@brflechs Жыл бұрын

They noted erosion at base of the grandstands

@zlinedavid Жыл бұрын

Thunder Alley, coming back to life. Bring IndyCar to the Rock this time too, dammit.

@tsmcbride06 Жыл бұрын

Indy cars at The Rock ? SICK

@zlinedavid Жыл бұрын

@@tsmcbride06 Length of Gateway, banking of Texas, unique configuration. Sounds like a solid recipe to me.

@tsmcbride06 Жыл бұрын

@@zlinedavid I agree fully.

@NickyD Жыл бұрын

no chance not safe for indy

@NickyD Жыл бұрын

@@zlinedavid not gonna happen totally unsafe after vegas you wont see indy at these type of tracks again

@WilliamWallaceRoss Жыл бұрын

Cars Tour 2023, I bet.....

@johnhaas2523 Жыл бұрын

Not on the schedule for this year. Maybe next year when JR, Justin Marks, Jeff Burton and Kevin have influence in things like that. I know Jr has said he not passionate about the rock like he has been about North wilkesboro

@DarkWolfForza 4 ай бұрын

So whos the new owner of this legendary nascar track now?

@stapleton42extra 4 ай бұрын

Dan Lovenheim is his name I believe

@DarkWolfForza 4 ай бұрын

@@stapleton42extra WOW cant wait to see if I can get some of my fig 6 guys out there LOL

@justcallmeBIG_L Жыл бұрын

this is the 50th comment, and the 5000th like on this video. your welcome.

@jeffdragna316 Жыл бұрын

Nascar doesn't race there anymore 15 20 years now

@jefflawsonqwest Жыл бұрын

So, they are basically taking the character out of the track. Putting it back to 25 degrees because they thought that’s what it originally was. How many years did they race it at the measured 23 degrees? Identical cars on a perfect surface is boring, I hope I’m wrong though.

@MrBurney12 Жыл бұрын

Character is great but there's only so much you can expect a car to hold up to. Re paving is necessary, reconfiguring is not , big difference

@70bluesville Жыл бұрын

You don't need a new surface you need a new sanctioning body. NASCAR has run it's course and itself into the ground. Chasing soccer mom's and monetizing ever second of the race program. Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon will do a much better job going forward. Go WO GO BROKE.

@jeffdragna316 Жыл бұрын

That place is a dump cost alot money to fix that place

@jamieday6602 Жыл бұрын

NASCAR should hire you to do videos and stuff, especially during the off season! They really sucked at that part of NASCAR! You would think they would wake up! I very seldom go the the official site because it just the same ole nonsense! Thank God for people like you that get the behind the scenes, that's what the fans want! NASCAR website is a total joke! But they don't care! They got enough big sponsors so they don't need anything else except gimmicks like having a podium at the collisium! What a joke

@NickyD Жыл бұрын

nascar doesnt own this track two they arent going back to the rock either