NASCAR Officially Returns to The Rock

NASCAR returns to Rockingham Speedway this weekend after an eight year absence and for many of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS) drivers competing in the inaugural Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 it’s a walk down memory lane.

Ty Dillon, who was ninth quickest in Friday’s second practice session with a 140.625-mph lap, played in the infield when father Mike raced in the Nationwide Series. He later won the 2010 ARCA race at the one-mile track.

Jeb Burton watched his father, Ward, and his uncle Jeff win two races each at The Rock. However, Rockingham is the largest track on which he’s driven and his best lap – 138.016 mph – left him 24th quickest in Friday’s first practice. He was 25th quickest in the second.

Todd Bodine visited Rockingham’s victory lane in 1995 and 2001 in the Nationwide Series car and noted in Friday’s drivers’ meeting “to go where you want” when it comes to the track’s racing grooves. His quickest lap in two practices Friday was 141.143 mph, leaving him sixth in the second session.

Ron Hornaday Jr.’s best finish at Rockingham occurred in 2000 when he placed third in a Nationwide Series event. He was 10th quickest in the first practice session at 141.995 mph.

NCWTS point leader John King, James Buescher, Parker Kilgerman, Justin Lofton, Caleb Holman, Jeff Agnew, Bryan Silas and Chad McCumbee have competed at Rockingham in ARCA, Pro Cup or UARA since NASCAR last visited the storied track in 2004. And those drivers who have raced on the tough surface believe they possess an advantage over those who are encountering it for the first time.

“I know what to expect for Sunday, I know what I’m looking for and there are a lot of people out there that really don’t know exactly what their truck should feel like and what they should expect on Sunday,” said Lofton, who won the 2009 ARCA title at Rockingham.

The experience advantage isn’t limited to NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series. Clay Rogers, who has won three Pro Cup races at The Rock, led final practice for Saturday’s UARA race with a 146.290-mph lap.

Joey Coulter’s Chevrolet paced the NCWTS first practice session with a 144.445-mph lap. Nelson Piquet Jr.’s Chevrolet finished on top of the speed chart for the second session with a 143.358-mph lap.

On track action resumes on Saturday with NCWTS practice at 9:00 a.m. The UARA Late Models hit the track for qualifying at 10:05 a.m. Final practice for the NCWTS rolls off at 11:00 a.m. The UARA 75-lap feature takes the green flag at 1:00 p.m., followed by NCWTS qualifying at approximately 3:35 p.m. The Frank Kimmel Street Stock Nationals (FKSSN) takes the green flag for their 75-lap race at approximately 4:45 p.m.  Chuck Barnes Sr. starts from the pole with Frank Kimmel II along side in the second starting position. The two finished one-two the last time the series raced at Rockingham last November.

The Rock PR