Rockingham Speedway, iconic NASCAR track, is up for auction

Rockingham Speedway, a legendary NASCAR track located in the sandhills of south central North Carolina, is currently up for auction. The 0.94-mile asphalt oval, once a regular stop for NASCAR's top-level Cup Series, is part of a collection of 12 race tracks owned by Darryl Cuttell and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).

Cuttell, CEO of Darana Motorsports Holdings, is selling the properties due to financial strain from liens and lawsuits totaling over half a billion dollars. Elon Musk's SpaceXAI has accused Darana Hybrid, a company Cuttell also owns, of overpaying between $500 to $800 million for services. IHRA has since laid off employees and canceled some racing series.

The decision to auction off the track was made after Track Enterprises, the promoter of racing events at Rockingham, announced the cancellation of NASCAR's return to the track for the 2027 season. Initially listed for sale at a minimum of $10 million, Cuttell has opted for auction instead. Despite its rich history, including Richard Petty winning 11 races there and Dale Earnhardt clinching his seventh championship, Rockingham has faced mismanagement and NASCAR's expansion plans, leading to its departure from the sport.

The track was briefly renovated in 2021, with $9 million allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act, but its future remains uncertain as NASCAR's return to the track is currently unknown.