IHRA Takes Over Rockingham Speedway, Signaling a Bold New Era for “The Rock"
Rockingham Speedway’s long road back to relevance took a major turn in 2025 — and now its future is firmly in new hands. After returning to the NASCAR spotlight in April, when **Sammy Smith** was awarded a dramatic victory following **Jesse Love**’s disqualification, the historic North Carolina track quickly became a national talking point again. Not long after that race, the property was listed for sale, setting the stage for another pivotal chapter.
On December 31, 2025, Rockingham Speedway was officially purchased by the **International Hot Rod Association** (IHRA), led by Ohio-based entrepreneur **Darryl Cuttell**. The acquisition is part of a larger, aggressive expansion strategy that has seen IHRA rapidly assemble a portfolio of historic racing facilities and series across multiple regions.
Cuttell, whose business background includes leadership at Darana Hybrid, has overseen a wave of high-profile purchases in 2025. In addition to Rockingham, IHRA has acquired Memphis International Raceway, Heartland Motorsports Park, Piedmont Dragway, National Trail Raceway, and Milan Dragway. The organization has also completed full acquisitions of IHRA operations in Australia and New Zealand and absorbed the World Drag Racing Alliance late in the year. Collectively, these moves highlight IHRA’s push to preserve legacy tracks while expanding its influence in both drag racing and stock-car racing.
Local leaders in Rockingham and Richmond County welcomed the sale, emphasizing the speedway’s importance to the local economy and tourism. IHRA has already outlined ambitious plans for the facility, including a complete repave of the oval, infrastructure improvements, upgraded fan amenities, and a broader vision that would allow the venue to host concerts and large-scale events alongside racing. Discussions are underway with industry partners, including Bob Sargent and Track Enterprises, to help manage and promote events starting in 2026.
Rockingham is expected to serve as a cornerstone venue for IHRA’s new Stock Car Series for late-model cars, launching in 2026. The track is also scheduled to host a major NASCAR triple-header weekend on April 3–4, 2026, featuring the ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and NASCAR Xfinity Series. With upgrades planned and a full calendar taking shape, IHRA’s purchase of Rockingham signals a decisive step toward blending motorsports tradition with a broader entertainment-driven future.
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