I would love to see Rochingham back in the cup series. Maybe one cup point race and the all-star could rotate between North Wilkesboro and Rockingham. Should never have been taken off the schedule. I am not saying two dates but one date for as many tracks as possible. As someone who is from North Carolina, it is another one of my home-state tracks.

To show you how much Rockingham is missed, I asked my dad earlier this year “Guess what track is returning for the All Star Race this year?” His response was Rockingham

I live legit 5 minutes from The Rock. Thanks for doing this video on our track. I pray they bring NASCAR back soon. Richmond County has a slogan now its #BelieveInTheRock. Rockingham and Richmond County sends much love Eric.

Could be a good track for a ARCA/Truck doubleheader to get things going again.

I live in myrtle beach, and after they closed myrtle beach speedway and bulldozed it (Dale JR’s home track) our local drift group migrated to the rock. Long before the track paved the oval, my local guys were out there fixing and paving the infield for drift events! They even made the local paper for it. I like to think they started the interest over at the rock because before that there was basically nothing going on there. Now they have regular drift events there!

Glad you were able to go and great video as always! Rockingham Speedway is one of my favorite tracks and I'm thankful to have been able to film there the last two years. Hoping NASCAR can return there

There was always great racing at Rockingham. I really wish they would bring it back.

My day gets better every time I watch one of Eric’s videos

The only way I could see these old, small-market tracks return is in rotation. I could see Rockingham trading a date with North Wilkesboro every year. Enough to build anticipation. I would say Nashville Fairgrounds too, but I think NASCAR will want to take advantage of that market as much as possible.

Great episode Eric, looks like you had fun in your rental car taking a lap @ "The Rock"! I loved Rockingham on the schedule for years growing up & was sad when it left 😭😭😭 I'd love to see Rockingham come back on the schedule

I went to the Rock in the 90's and it was a blast. Loved the pitting on both sides. Would love a revival for some kind of cup race. If they did that it would really put NC on the map for racing firsts and start a precedence for revivals.

Having NC-centered tracks on a rotating schedule is SUCH a good idea.

In March we got to run with Stock Car Classics. We have gone out there several times before and I can tell you after running an actual stock car on that surface, the repave was necessary. I was averaging almost 110 mph. a lap. I couldn't have done that on the old surface. Hopefully they can get consistent racing back out there, even if it isn't Cup.

I loved going to races at the Rock - went to two music festivals there since it closed and supported their christmas light display there this last December. It would be supported by the locals I am sure - but the races need to not be in "freezing February" which is where the last few years of racing there - and yes Eric it was amazing to see Matt win that race in 2004 - but it was COLD! Realistically it would be nice to see The Cars tour, ARCA or maybe the Trucks or Xfinity come back there.

Great video! I love the daily Nascar news videos but more Nascar history videos like this would be awesome. Keep up the great work. Best Nascar channel on KZfaq

would love to see this come back. Maybe not every year, but could rotate a cup date and maybe the all star race there on certain years.

I attended a then Busch series race at the Rock back in the 1990s on a day that Dale Earnhardt Sr. Qualified fastest in the second round of cup qualifying. I miss that too. That day Chad Little in the Harris Teeter car beat Mark Martin in the Winn Dixie car. Awesome track. We need more like it and the unique Iowa speedway. Awesome racing.

My first Nascar race was at the Rock in 1986 .I’ve been to at least 12 races there. My favorite racetrack by far!! I’ve been to North Wilkesboro and Charlotte motor speedway also a few times and I really liked Rockingham the best. Not even close. I would love for Nascar to go back there. Have a lot of great memories of the races there with friends. Cooking out and just having a great time. Thanks so much for doing this video!! Brought back a lot of good memories!!

I live bout an hr from the track. I would love to see it back to NASCAR. I did get a chance to talk on the track back when I was in high school.

Thankyou for making this video. You are very honest and respectful about The Rock.

You should come to one of our Stock Car Classics events at Rockingham this year! MB Drift Series Also Runs At Rockingham Every Couple Months

Crazy, I went to the Rock in 1993 last for qualifying lol. I was very young but still remember it!

Awesome video of an awesome track, Eric. So glad you went there, and glad you got to drive around a place where your hero Matt Kenseth was a winner. Bring back THE ROCK!!!

I always enjoyed races there. It was also one of my favorite tracks to race on in the old EA Sports NASCAR games. The wall off turn 2 felt like it almost came out at you. I always thought the races were good, but much like everything in the 2000’s with nascar, greed meant more than product. Texas, Charlotte, and Atlanta all had similar tracks. Michigan and California were carbon copies and usually a snooze fest. All the mile and a half’s were basically the same. The schedule became boring, but tracks like the Rock were unique, and I loved it for that reason.

Classic Rockingham was amazing. So much tire fall off. Always seem to have good racing. Multiple grooves. Wish they would go back, even if it was just one race a year.

Great presentation! I would love to see more of these!

Excellent vid Eric! I think the ROCK would garner a revival of support for the “Old School Fan” type of feel, but with a more convenient, modern amenities.

In the early 80s my dad and i went to The Rock for an open house and we got to take a few laps in his car. On they way back to Atlanta, he noticed the car was handling poorly so he took it to his mechanic who put it on a lift and discovered that nearly new set of Firestones were all chewed up on the right side, so much so that he had to replace them!! They dont call them the Sand Hills for nothing! Thats one of the things that made Rockingham a drivers track - having to manage your tires. Thanks Eric!!

Had some crazy times at the ROCK.. INFEILD CAMPING WAS CRAZZZZY!! . SEEN KYLE PETTY ,NEIL BONNETT ,ETC WIN THERE

I use to be a tour guide at a track. Eric those track laps brought me back! You could really mess with people it was so fun lmao

My one concern with racing at Rockingham (and North Wilkesboro for that matter) is that it's in a very saturated part of the country as far as NASCAR tracks are concerned. What I think they should do is treat the All Star Race as a sort of "Grassroots Revival" - rotate it between a bunch of grassroots tracks every year to try and help save some of these tracks that are being bought out and demolished.

I was there and I was a huge Kenseth fan. I was sitting near the start finish line and nobody knew who won until Matt came around and went sliding through the grass.

Me and my little boy went by Rockingham just this past weekend. Just looked on the outside. It looked great and i could feel the history there. Seeing all the names on the rock outside the track was great. Hopefully it will come back even if they alternate the all star race or something like that. I'd go to an ARCA and truck race if they wanted to start that way. Great video too 👍

would love to see a race here again. my first race was a busch race here back in 1993. also got to see cup qualifying that day, and see jeff gordon spin out on his warmup lap coming out of the pits.

Used to go to Rockingham twice a year. Each time we saw the same faces where we tailgated. Nice to see old friends. Would love to do so again... Old tracks are like finely chiseled works of art. New tracks (i.e. cookie cutters) are cheap plastic knockoffs.

Love the vibe of this new segment/episode. Well done Eric!

I live in southwest Ohio. I wish we had great Nascar tracks around me. The brickyard and Kentucky are the only ones relatively close to me. And I am not paying for tickets to watch them go around the road course at IMS LOL. Fingers crossed for everyone in the NC/SC that this track is brought back. You all are so lucky so much history surrounds you down there!

I know this is a primarily Nascar / Oval track racing channel / viewership but would also like to point out that for the last couple of years MB Drift has held drifting events at both Little Rock and the infield of The Rock. So the track is being used for both some oval racing as well as other motorsports which may help the tracks success overall.

It was awesome back in the 90's to go to Rockingham.And camp out all weekend.Those were the days.I would sit in the stands and watch Dale Earnhardt run every lap.

The ROCK was my first at track race. Front Row Joe lapped the field due to a caution and that was about it Nov 2001. My seat was in the grandstand shown in video just after turn4. So that was great.

Really enjoyed this video. I really hope NASCAR gives it another shot, even if its just truck and xfinity to start, and what about a possible all star race. I kind of like the all star race going to tracks that maybe no one in the series has run on yet and make them prove themselves on an unknown, sort of like they did this year.

I was talking toi my son about this last night. We think with the light they need to pitch holding the season finale of SRX at the Rock. that would be an awesome event.

I went there for the 2002-2004 spring races. So awesome. I’d love to see it come back just for those reasons. But I don’t have much hope.

Thank u for coming and showing love to rockingham and the rock. Really hope nascar comes back like north wilkesboro. If your in rockingham again stop by dominos highly suggest.

Great video man 👍👍 I would love to see "The Rock " back on the cup schedule

I went to the last truck race at Rockingham to watch a teenage Chase Elliott drive. Took the family drove down & returned home the same day. Enjoyed every bit of it. Been to more cup races there than Charlotte. Thought it was better racing than most tracks. Problem I see is it’s not in a BIG market area for today’s NASCAR. It’s all about the $$$$$$ today.

Very well put together video. Kudos.

Hope we can see some truck and arca races there soon.

As someone who is old enough to remember live NASCAR races at Rockingham, and watching the black #3 battle the rainbow car there... I hope that track gets back on the schedule. I am a big proponent of NASCAR spreading its races out more across the country, which I think would definitely help the sport to grow. Just imagine if NFL, NBA or MLB franchises where distributed across the country the same way NASCAR tracks are. Those sports probably wouldn't have the lifetime popularity they have had. But... I would very happily give up a road course or street course race to get the Rock back. If it does happen... I wouldn't consider it much of a big deal with 3 tracks being close together. First, all the tracks are different layouts which is good, second it is a track that is historic to NASCAR. Rockingham would add another unique track layout which is good for the schedule.

I went to the Rock in 1998 and witnessed Gordon clinch his 3rd title. Went again in spring 1999 but unfortunately he blew an engine. I will always cherish the memories and would love to see it back on the schedule again.

What a great video thank you for bringing the past back I love it keep up the great work thanks for everything and I ordered one of the 78 cars I wish I had caught the one before stay safe and have a great day

I think we are entering an era, my feeling, where we could see, and benefit, from visiting most tracks 1 time per season. The way the new car is built, it lends itself to being able to have a wide variety of setup possibilities without needing a massive collection of components that are specialized to a single track/style of track. I think it'll keep things fresh and it could help attendance. Fans would could have a lot more options on watching a race closer to their home towns. I'm not even completely sold on any tracks having 2 dates to be honest. I don't think we need 2 Daytona, 2 Talladega and 2 Atlanta. Have 1 each and float a 4th super speedway race each season between the 3. Have throwback weekend during the Southern 500 at the 1 Darlington race in the fall, keep all star at North Wilkesboro for another year or two and then move to a points race. Then, Indy, flip flop oval and road course every other year or every two years. Base the time span on attendance and let the fans tell you what they want. I really think there's more than enough tracks that NASCAR could make something like this work between the tracks visited by any of the 3 top divisions as well as some that we don't go to currently.

Very well done!

Look at you, driving on an awesome track! 🤘

The Rock has always been my favorite track. I now go to the spring Darlington race every year instead which is a blast but not the same. My best live memories of NASCAR are from The Rock and I have always hoped they would race there again. Build it and they will come - I hope!

Love this video, you lucky dog! I think there’s a real shot they get a date back, and they used to run the 2nd or 3rd race and one of the last few races for many years, I don’t think they’re worried at all about the weather

Would be nice if rockingham came back

Well done Eric. Well done

@Stapleton42 has a few videos at Rockingham. He has a few more on classic car racing shows there too.

I was expecting Eric to pull a hail melon in turn 3 😅 Great video man really enjoyed this one

I would love to see Rockingham back! I have passed by multiple times. Fun Fact: I actually live like 20-30 minutes away from The Rock.

Love the new editing style.

I would have figured they would need safer barriers around the whole track to bring one of the major series back.

A NCTS or NXS race would be great here, just for a start. If it works out, NCS could be an option.

I raced a motorcycle (Fz 600 1986) there in 86 great traction and scary going around the banking on a bike.

Teams were saying the clash out in LA is a huge expense and a toll on teams going out there maybe have the clash at the rock keep the close to home to start the year so it's not a huge toll on the race teams

It be q dream come true if nascar in general comes back to the rock 🪨 especially putting new light stands around the track will make it even more beautiful with the new asphalt thinks for eric for giving it a start on the aging it out.

Thanks for doing this. I grew up in Hoke County next door several decades ago. And the Rockingham Drag Strip?

Move the Clash to Rockingham (heck they even used to run there in February anyway) and keep North Wilkesboro for the All Star Race.

I can see my home track pocono getting the axe next. Went from 2 500 mile events donwn to 1 325 mile race.

Like the style. Maybe do more tracks in a historical motif.

🙏🙏🙏 loving the new content!

Allstar race rotation North Wilkesboro, the Rock, Darlington Fairgrounds and Martinsville, and make it the throwback weekend.

The only NASCAR race I’ve seen in person was the Spring race in 1997 or 1998. It’d be nice to see it come back as a 2+ mile super speedway.

My friends and i went to the Rock twice a year for many years. Hope we can go back

9:08 that's literally the opposite of what your supposed to do with rental cars lolol I'm so jealous that's awesome

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Well Done Mr. Estepp!!!!

Nice job Eric , it would be great to see the Rock return to the schedule, the one advantage it has over the cookie cutter tracks is that it has character and it’s a racers track , you have to have savy to be a winner there even with new asphalt. The cookie cutter tracks put me to sleep , so I just watch the highlights later in the evening. I think your right the Auto club date would do nicely ! Thanks again for all your great videos , they are more exciting then the cookie cutter tracks ! 😂

They definitely need to recognize their history as the old saying goes never forget where you come from maybe they should make the schedule longer

Love how you edited Matt K into the script just as you were saying “best of the best”! 😂

Great video big dog.

Hope they can get that short track behind there up to snuff. Excellent size and age of surface for Modifieds, CARS Tour, Limited Late Models, Legends, etc.

I always liked how the back stretch wall wasn’t centered with the banking so they would always climb it lol

I live in northern ny and if they return to the rock I’ll be there in person!!

I actually visited the track in June 2022 when I was coming home from myrtle beach

Great video.

Track looks great ‼️🔥if I was there in rental car , open track I’d be trying to set a track record 😂

Solution to saturation - instead of two Bristol, two Richmond, two Martinsville, two Atlanta, divvy it up: 1 date at each, 1 Rockingham, 1 North Wilkesboro. Rotate All-Star Race between those 6 so every 6th year one of those tracks gets two races. This leaves 2 extra dates. For those, go to the Midwest. Bring back Road America and Chicagoland Speedway. Since Chicagoland is an intermediate, give one of Kansas Speedway's two dates to Iowa Speedway. So, instead of 2 Bristol, 2 Martinsville, 2 Richmond, 2 Atlanta, 2 Kansas it would be 1 Bristol, 1 Martinsville, 1 Richmond, 1 Atlanta, 1 Kansas, 1 Rockingham, 1 North Wilkesboro, 1 Chicagoland, 1 Road America, 1 Iowa.

Would love so much if they would paint the dotted lines back on the track like the 80’s/ early 90’s

This was my favorite track in my home state.

As someone who lives 45 min from the track, we all wanna see it come back. Locals alone around here would keep it going. Over saturation or not, this track is far too entertaining, and the fan base here is far too strong to continue to ignore it. But it doesn’t need to have the same dates as before. Preferably May and September would be more ideal

Dan is a good guy and has done a lot of improvements at The Rock and the biggest problem is the track is forgotten or unknown by the modern NASCAR fan. If Dan were to get in talks with a series like SRX or even an event promoter like Garrett Mitchell (Cleetus) to hold a race or automotive events there it would get the track name back in peoples mouths like iRacing and Dale Jr did for N.Wilkesboro. The major objector to Rockingham hosting racing was Bruton Smith (SMI) and with him gone strides could be made if there were some events that would draw attention outside of the region. Hot Rod Power Tour stopped there last year and quite a few of the participants had no idea that it was a former Cup Series track.

One of your best video's buddy........ u Rock! No pun intended haha!

Am I watching that Chapter or Eric Estepp!?!? Great background music 😅

I would attend the races there each year. above any other track near me in Augusta, GA. Just to support bringing back racing to the south east

I have the Rock on the schedule, even if it's on a rolling schedule with North Wilkesboro and other historic tracks. Hickory Motor Speedway, the Milwaukee Mile, Nazareth

Do you smell what The Rock is cookin’?!? I’m from NC and retired from the Air Force in 2014 and moved back. I go to 6-8 races a year. I’d be a season ticket holder! Loved North Wilksboro week this month!

Eric is the first to run a lap around the Rock in over 10 years 😂

Here's an idea - have North Wilkesboro take Bristol's spring date, and have Rockingham be next year's All-Star Race. Then rotate North Wilkesboro and Rockingham every other between the All-Star Race and a points-paying race.

I'm planning on making "The Rock" in my NASCAR stop-motion series.