pandr
04-13-2012, 12:33 PM
The Rock's comeback only a beginning
Inside Motorsports
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012
MY two cents
Andy Hillenburg needs your help.
Many NASCAR fans think Hillenburg accomplished the two biggest hurdles to bring NASCAR racing back to Rockingham Speedway when he purchased the track at auction in 2007 and secured a Truck Series race, which is this Sunday.
They were big hurdles. But were they the most difficult?
One of the problems Rockingham Speedway (then called North Carolina Speedway) had before International Speedway Corp. it shut its doors in 2004 was a lack of attendance for its Sprint Cup and Nationwide series race weekends.
Granted, the track wasn’t as new as others, nor had as many amenities. It was also well within the same markets served by Charlotte Motor Speedway and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
The bottom line is, though, to have a successful event, you need butts in the seats.
TV money is great, but ticket sales remain the driving force in making race tracks across the country viable venues.
That’s why the most important hurdle for Rockingham Speedway may not be this Sunday, but one year from now.
From the excitement, attention and media coverage (and great weather forecast), it would be difficult to imagine the track not drawing a great crowd Sunday’s Truck race.
That, of course, will be welcome news to Hillenburg and all those in the Rockingham community who have worked hard to make this happen.
The future of NASCAR at Rockingham, however, lies in sustaining that excitement and momentum. Much will be judged on how the race continues after its inaugural event.
Will it remain a fixture in the plans of NASCAR fans in and around the area each year? Will it remain something “special” beyond its inaugural race?
That’s where Hillenburg desperately needs your help.
Not just today. Not just Sunday. But every day from here on out.
NASCAR has returned to The Rock but it will only remain so long as the interest and the paying customers sustain it.
Curtis Turner won the track’s inaugural 500-mile race in October 1965. A different driver will win Sunday’s inaugural Truck Series race.
Only you can make certain that isn’t the last NASCAR winner at Rockingham.
C/P Thats Racin
Inside Motorsports
By Jim Utter - charlotteobserver
Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012
MY two cents
Andy Hillenburg needs your help.
Many NASCAR fans think Hillenburg accomplished the two biggest hurdles to bring NASCAR racing back to Rockingham Speedway when he purchased the track at auction in 2007 and secured a Truck Series race, which is this Sunday.
They were big hurdles. But were they the most difficult?
One of the problems Rockingham Speedway (then called North Carolina Speedway) had before International Speedway Corp. it shut its doors in 2004 was a lack of attendance for its Sprint Cup and Nationwide series race weekends.
Granted, the track wasn’t as new as others, nor had as many amenities. It was also well within the same markets served by Charlotte Motor Speedway and Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
The bottom line is, though, to have a successful event, you need butts in the seats.
TV money is great, but ticket sales remain the driving force in making race tracks across the country viable venues.
That’s why the most important hurdle for Rockingham Speedway may not be this Sunday, but one year from now.
From the excitement, attention and media coverage (and great weather forecast), it would be difficult to imagine the track not drawing a great crowd Sunday’s Truck race.
That, of course, will be welcome news to Hillenburg and all those in the Rockingham community who have worked hard to make this happen.
The future of NASCAR at Rockingham, however, lies in sustaining that excitement and momentum. Much will be judged on how the race continues after its inaugural event.
Will it remain a fixture in the plans of NASCAR fans in and around the area each year? Will it remain something “special” beyond its inaugural race?
That’s where Hillenburg desperately needs your help.
Not just today. Not just Sunday. But every day from here on out.
NASCAR has returned to The Rock but it will only remain so long as the interest and the paying customers sustain it.
Curtis Turner won the track’s inaugural 500-mile race in October 1965. A different driver will win Sunday’s inaugural Truck Series race.
Only you can make certain that isn’t the last NASCAR winner at Rockingham.
C/P Thats Racin