The smell of burning tires and the roar of engine revs at Rockingham Speedway has been absent for far too long. When NASCAR left “The Rock” in 2004, a piece of racing history went dormant. After a brief Truck Series revival in 2012-2013, silence returned to the 1.017-mile oval nestled in the North Carolina Sandhills. Now, the wait is over. On April 18-19, 2025, NASCAR’s Xfinity and Truck Series will breathe life back into a track that once hosted legends like Richard Petty, who claimed 11 victories on this very asphalt. The January testing session already proved what longtime fans remember—Rockingham’s unique D-shaped configuration delivers racing that’s “really fast, crazy, wild,” as Cup regular Ross Chastain described after his first laps.

What makes this revival even more special is Kasey Kahne’s return to NASCAR competition. The 44-year-old former Hendrick Motorsports star will pilot the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet, sponsored by HendrickCars.com. This comeback carries deep significance at Rockingham, where Kahne’s history includes a Truck Series win in 2012 during the track’s last revival. “I’m excited to get back behind the wheel of a stock car, especially at a place like Rockingham Speedway,” Kahne said in a press release. “Rockingham has been a special track throughout my career.” His connection to the speedway runs deeper—in 2004, he nearly claimed his first Cup victory here, finishing second in the No. 9 Dodge for Evernham Motorsports.

Rockingham Speedway isn’t just another stop on the schedule—it’s a living piece of NASCAR heritage. Originally opened in 1965 and reconfigured to its current layout in 1969, the track earned its reputation for producing thrilling finishes across all series. With banking that allows multiple racing grooves and a surface that creates significant tire wear, drivers must balance aggression with equipment management. Thanks to $9 million in state funding allocated by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper in 2021, plus additional private investment, “The Rock” has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility while preserving its challenging character.

For Kahne, this return marks more than just a one-off race—it represents a meaningful reconnection with the sport that defined much of his life. After health concerns forced his retirement from full-time Cup competition in 2018, many thought his NASCAR days were over. While he’s remained active in dirt racing with Kasey Kahne Racing and competing full-time in High Limit Racing, this Xfinity Series opportunity bridges his past and present racing careers. As Richard Childress noted, “Kasey is a great driver and a fierce competitor… With Kasey behind the wheel, we expect the No. 33 to have a shot at winning the race.”

Between the historic track’s rebirth and the return of a driver with 18 Cup Series wins to his name, April’s race weekend at Rockingham promises to deliver what NASCAR’s dedicated fanbase has been craving—authentic racing at a venue where passing is possible and history matters. And when a Reddit user sent a reminder, “Reminder we go back to Rockingham Speedway with Trucks & Xfinity,” fans couldn’t help but feel excited about the iconic racetrack’s return, along with Kahne competing back in NASCAR.

Fans Embrace ‘The Rock’ Revival As Community Excitement Builds for Historic Return

“My favorite track on iRacing. Fast in every groove. Tons of passing. Races like a Speedway/short track hybrid,” one fan commented. Well, this track has characteristics similar to Dover Motor Speedway or the Phoenix Raceway. But because of the 22 degrees of banking in Turns 1 and 2, followed by the 25-degree banking on Turns 3 and 4, this is a hybrid track. It’s a Speedway surface but spread across a mile, which does make things interesting.

Kasey Kahne’s return has sparked fan excitement. “I don’t give a sh– if he’s driving a cursed RCR car painted in Hendrick colors. I’m glad to have him back,” wrote one supporter. Kahne has remained active in dirt racing since his 2018 NASCAR retirement, competing full-time in High Limit Racing and running his own Kasey Kahne Racing team. The 2024 season saw him finish 14th in High Limit Racing points with Eric Prutzman – who has six national sprint championships with Brad Sweet – serving as crew chief. Now, the 18-time Cup winner will bridge his current dirt racing career with his NASCAR past at a track that holds special significance. Kahne has a Truck Series win at the Rock, and the P2 finish in the Cup Series goes to show his prowess as a stock car driver.

Fans see Rockingham’s return as a chance to bring back classic racing. “It has a history of fantastic finishes across both series because you could actually pass on this track,” noted one fan. Another suggested, “There’s no bad reason why it shouldn’t replace Phoenix…it has a history of great finishes, & it geographically makes sense.” Many believe the track deserves a bigger role in NASCAR’s future. We have seen the likes of North Wilkesboro and Bowman Gray Stadium brought back into the limelight by the Cup Series. So, there’s a possibility of Rock’s return to the premier series after two decades.

Some fans even dissed last Sunday’s Bristol race while heaping praise on Rockingham’s return. “Anything’s better than this Bristol race.” Last Sunday’s race was a snooze-fest. Expectations were high, given last year’s spring event and the practice session, but Kyle Larson led 411 laps of 500 to script a dominant run. The Next Gen cars are touted to be the main culprits for the lack of passing opportunities and stale racing product. Luckily, the Xfinity Series cars are competitive, which makes the Rockingham return ever more exciting.

A few fans have learned their lesson and are keeping their excitement in check, and they have their reasons. “Keep in mind this track has a fresh repave, don’t expect tires to wear out like they do on iRacing. I think it will be a good weekend, but I wouldn’t place my expectations too high.” The D-shaped oval was repaved in 2022, which included a new asphalt being laid down on the track. Core Heim, who was a part of the test session, noted that “It’s definitely fast.” We have seen how repaves can drastically impact the racing experience, and conditions can change for the better or worse because of the weather.