ROCKINGHAM, N.C. — The ARCA Menards Series East will join the card for NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway April 18-19.
The series will join the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as the historic one-mile speedway returns to the NASCAR fold for the first time since a Truck Series race there in 2013.
The ARCA Menards Series East features established veterans and NASCAR’s next stars who compete primarily on the East Coast as a top-tiered development series owned by NASCAR.
“We are excited to showcase these great NASCAR development drivers and established teams on Saturday, April 19th along with the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Bob Sargent, President of Track Enterprises, which will promote the event at Rockingham Speedway. “They all know the importance and impact of racing on the same day as the Xfinity Series, just like several teams will in Daytona in February. We also expect established ARCA Menards Series teams the likes of Joe Gibbs Racing and Pinnacle Racing Group to compete for the win at Rockingham Speedway.”
The ARCA Menards Series held five races at The Rock starting in 1973 won by the legendary Charlie Glotzbach. The series returned in 2008 in an event won by Logano, the year after he captured the ARCA Menards Series East drivers championship. The most recent ARCA event in 2010 was won by 2011 ARCA Menards Series champion Ty Dillon.
“Returning to Rockingham Speedway with the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series is a great opportunity for the ARCA Menards East,” said Ron Drager, president of ARCA. “We respect and appreciate the history and tradition associated with Rockingham, and we are excited to be a part of this new chapter.”
The Saturday, April 19 ARCA Menards Series East race will precede the 43rd NASCAR Xfinity Series race to be held at Rockingham Speedway. Preliminary on-track activities for the two series are expected to take place on Friday, April 18, which is race day for the Craftsman Truck Series.