The other shoe never dropped. There were no missed signals or mixed emotions. Whatever lingering bitterness left behind at being forsaken by NASCAR seemed washed away in the warming sun of a perfect springtime day.
There was no Derby-esque tragedy waiting at the finish line. There were no stuffed likenesses of Bruton Smith burned in effigy on the lawn. There was simply joy — yes, joy, heartfelt joy — in Rockingham on a Sunday afternoon — when the racing gods, so often fickle and cruel, smiled and said, “welcome back.”

For all of “The Rock’s” glorious history, this was not a time to look back. Sunday was a time to put on the shades, sit back and soak in the sun and the sights and sounds of what could be a wonderful future — a future signaled by the latest accomplishment of what appears to be stock-car racing’s next big star.

It is just as well. For all of “The Rock’s” glorious history, this was not a time to look back. Sunday was a time to put on the shades, sit back and soak in the sun and the sights and sounds of what could be a wonderful future — a future signaled by the latest accomplishment of what appears to be stock-car racing’s next big star.
Joey Logano, who withstood late cautions and every trick a wily, old Ken Schrader could conjure, delivered an old-school butt-kicking that brought forth images of a dominant Cale Yarborough and was somehow worthy of “The Rock.”
At one point, Logano had lapped all but two cars in the field.
“I was driving with a smile on my face the whole time,” Logano said. “I was having some fun out there.”
Joy, heartfelt joy.
Along the way, “The Rock” chewed up tires and still managed to deliver a fairly dramatic finish. Thankfully, some traditions remain.
With luck and hard work, the Carolina 500 could very well become a tradition in its own right. It is the first of two races to be run at the track this year. The Hooters Pro Cup visits Nov. 1 for the American 200.
Rockingham Speedway owner and former ARCA Champion Andy Hillenburg, who purchased the track some six months ago with the promise of bringing it back to life as a competitive venue, wants this race to become ARCA’s crown jewel.
“We want this to be ARCA’s Daytona 500; we want this to be ARCA’s Indy 500,” said Hillenburg. “Every series has its signature events, and I want this to be ARCA’s signature event.”
ARCA President Ron Drager wants that to happen, too. He knows Hillenburg well and began this journey with him when Hillenburg purchased the track, knowing that a date at “The Rock” would give his series a needed marquis presence in the Southeast.
On Sunday, he said he saw the possibilities become tangible as bagpipes played and engines roared to life after being silenced too long here.
“I watched people coming through the gates just before noon,” Drager said. “And they were smiling and laughing, saying, ‘Woo. We’re racing again at Rockingham.’”
Before the day was over, an estimated 20,000 people were there for the race, and all of the luxury suites were sold and full. Souvenir stands ran out of T-shirts nearly two hours before the race began. Speed broadcast from Rockingham from flag to flag.
Hillenburg said he is pleased with the way things went, but you could sense a bit of relief as Sunday evening arrived, and he made plans with Logano for the driver’s name to be carved into the new Rockingham rock. He says there is more to do. He has plans. Big plans.
But Sunday was a good day — a fine beginning to a new chapter that was kissed by sunshine under a Carolina Blue sky and filled with racing and joy. Heartfelt joy.
Rockingham was alive again.