On February 22, 2004, fans witnessed a breath-stopping victory at the Subway 400 at Rockingham Speedway. Matt Kenseth beat Kasey Kahne to the checkered flag by a mere 0.010 seconds. What an iconic race! But the sad news is, no NASCAR Cup or Xfinity driver has won on this track since that day. With love from Dale Jr. and other veterans, Rockingham’s revival is more than just a race weekend; it’s a nod to NASCAR’s roots. The track, with its abrasive surface and relentless challenges, has always tested drivers’ skill and courage. Recent test sessions proved it hasn’t lost its edge, even after a fresh repave.

Ty Majeski set the pace in the Truck Series test, clocking a blistering 166.547 mph, while Corey Day wasn’t far behind in Xfinity at 162.431 mph. Drivers raved about the track’s character—faster now, but still uniquely Rockingham. Fans are already picturing packed grandstands, the scent of hot rubber, and the roar of engines under the spring sun. Like a scene straight out of NASCAR’s heyday when legends like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Mark Martin battled for glory.

For Chase Elliott, Rockingham isn’t just a track—it’s a scrapbook of memories. The Dawsonville, Georgia native has raced there before, cutting his teeth in late models, K&N Pro Series events, and even a Craftsman Truck Series race years ago. Those early days left a mark on him, and the news of The Rock’s return has him buzzing with excitement. But it’s a recent chat with a former Hendrick Motorsports teammate that’s got Elliott truly optimistic about what this comeback could mean—not just for Xfinity and Trucks but for the Cup Series, too.

Chase Elliott feels much more in his skin at Rockingham after Kasey Kahne’s nod

Rockingham Speedway, a hallowed ground in NASCAR’s history, is making a triumphant return next week, April 18-19, 2025, hosting the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series for the first time in over a decade. The rumble of engines is about to echo through North Carolina’s Sandhills once again. Known as “The Rock,” this one-mile oval hasn’t seen major NASCAR action since Kyle Larson powered to victory in the Truck Series back in 2013. For fans, drivers, and the tight-knit community of Richmond County, this comeback feels like a heartfelt reunion with a long-lost friend—a track that shaped the sport’s gritty, golden era.

“Yeah, I’ve run a few races with Rockingham, maybe a late model race and a K&N race or something. Back in the day I did run a truck race through once,” Elliott shared in an interview, “So yeah, that was all prior to the repave, I didn’t realize that it had been repaved, which is terrible, but I did not realize that it had gone through a repave until recently,” he said about the track that skyrocketed his career into NASCAR. But there’s something else he shared, too.

Elliott said, “But in talking to Kasey Kahne a little bit the last couple of weeks, he had told me that it really didn’t drive all that much different, which I think is pretty exciting. So it sounds like they did a good job with it, and I’m excited to watch if it can, and it’d be in favor of us getting back there at some point for sure.” Kasey Kahne’s reassurance means a lot, provided his achievements on this track. But there’s something deeper.

The former HMS star, now 45, is no stranger to Rockingham’s quirks. He’s returning to NASCAR himself, competing in the Xfinity Series race—his first NASCAR start since 2018. Kahne had climbed into a stock car at an Xfinity Series test at Rockingham Speedway in January 2025 after the replacement and said, “I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a stock car, especially at a place like Rockingham Speedway.” His words paint a vivid picture: The Rock hasn’t lost its soul. The bumps, the wear, the way it forces drivers to think—that’s all still there, just polished up. For Elliott, hearing Kahne say the repave didn’t ruin the track’s magic was a game-changer. It’s got him believing Rockingham could be a serious contender for a Cup Series return. Goodyear’s tire tests in late 2024 ensured the new surface was race-ready, addressing concerns about grip and durability. This short track has engraved its place in NASCAR’s golden tracks. And Elliott isn’t the only one feeling the pull.

Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup champion, spoke passionately about short tracks like Rockingham. The groundswell of support isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a hunger for racing that feels raw, real, and connected to the sport’s heart. The revival itself is a labor of love. Track owner Dan Lovenheim and Track Enterprises have poured their hearts into bringing The Rock back, inspired by the success of North Wilkesboro’s return in 2023.

It’s about preserving short tracks, the lifeblood of stock car racing, at a time when super speedways and road courses often dominate the spotlight. Elliott himself has been vocal about this, telling, “We have a responsibility to save short tracks.” Kahne’s comeback adds to the emotion—he’s racing not just for himself but for the sport’s legacy, choosing to test, grinning behind the wheel on his 45th birthday, April 10, 2025. Could the Cup Series follow Xfinity and Trucks back to The Rock?

If Kahne’s right about the track’s enduring spirit, and if Elliott’s hopes gain traction, it’s not a stretch to imagine NASCAR’s premier series tearing up Rockingham again. For now, though, the focus is on next week’s races—a chance to relive the past and dream of the future. But, Elliott has bigger concerns now. He must be traveling now to visit a track that has some unhealed scars from 2020.

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Chase Elliott’s old beef at Bristol

This weekend’s race at Bristol has fans buzzing about his 2020 feud with Kevin Harvick. Remember when Harvick bumped Elliott out of the lead, sparking a heated chase? Elliott didn’t hold back, confronting Harvick post-race with a blunt, “Whether he did it on purpose, it doesn’t matter. At some point, you have to draw the line. I don’t care who he is or how long he’s been doing it; I will stand up for myself and my team.”

That clash left Harvick fuming, saying he “couldn’t care less” about Elliott’s gripes. “I just told him it was kind of a chicken s— move that he did there at the end. We’re racing for the freaking win at Bristol, three-wide in the middle, and he throws a temper tantrum. I was just trying to get the lead, racing hard,” said Harvick then. Fast forward to 2025 and how Bristol’s history stirs up those fiery memories, especially with Elliott’s strong 8.9 average finish there. Will he channel that old anger into a win?

It’s a wild time in NASCAR old rivalries haunting the track. As Elliott races at Bristol, one wonders: will they bury the hatchet, or will the tension boil over? And can Elliott outrun Harvick’s shadow? Grab your popcorn because this weekend’s gonna be more dramatic!