ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Just weeks after NASCAR made a historic return to Rockingham Speedway, drawing a sold-out crowd and more than a million TV viewers, the iconic North Carolina racetrack is officially for sale.
Commercial real estate firm CBRE has listed the 250-plus acre motorsports and events venue located in Richmond County. Known affectionately as “The Rock,” the property includes permanent seating for 25,000 spectators, with the capacity to host up to 50,000 people per day. Positioned at the intersection of U.S. Highway 1 and N.C. Highway 177, the site boasts easy access via six large entry gates and features four distinct paved motorsports areas: the 1-mile “Big Rock” oval, a half-mile and quarter-mile track (both named “Little Rock”), and a road course.
The announcement comes as Rockingham rides the momentum of a highly successful NASCAR weekend in April 2025. The tripleheader event featured the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series East. The Xfinity race alone drew a capacity crowd – nearly triple the population of the city of Rockingham – and earned over 1 million television viewers, the second-best Xfinity viewership ever recorded at the track.
The speedway’s recent resurgence is backed by substantial public and private investment. Since 2022, more than $10 million in state grants and appropriations have been funneled into the property for infrastructure improvements, with another $12 million requested in 2025 to make the venue “Cup ready” in hopes of attracting a NASCAR Cup Series race by 2026 or 2027. Over the past three years, more than $12 million in upgrades have enhanced the speedway, which now also holds a rare North Carolina sports wagering license.
Richmond County is also investing in long-term growth, connecting the facility to county sewer service by constructing a pump station and extending over 1,000 feet of sewer force main. These upgrades will support an additional 500,000 gallons per day of capacity, further increasing the site’s development potential.
The area’s transportation infrastructure has also evolved to meet growing demand. U.S. Highway 1 has been expanded to a four-lane, median-divided highway near the speedway, and future plans call for a four-lane expressway through Richmond County that would bypass traffic lights, offering smoother access for fans. In 2025, Amtrak introduced $25 one-way fares from Raleigh to Rockingham for race weekends, with long-term plans to connect passengers from Washington, D.C., to Savannah, Ga., including service to The Rock.
The venue’s appeal isn’t limited to racing. With full ABC permits site-wide and an exemption from the county’s noise ordinance, the track can legally host 24/7 events featuring alcohol sales of beer, wine, and mixed beverages.
Despite years of dormancy, Rockingham Speedway’s recent revival has rekindled interest in its future. With a growing fan base, new infrastructure, and state support, the property offers a rare opportunity for investors to shape the next chapter of one of NASCAR’s most storied venues.
For more information on the listen, visit CBRE’s website.
