NASCAR Truck - Rockingham

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series returns to Rockingham Motor Speedway in 2026 with the Black's Tire 200. This 200-lap race covers 188 miles on one of North Carolina's most historic racing facilities. Rockingham Motor Speedway hosts a triple-header weekend with the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and ARCA Menards Series East also competing at the venue.

The Rockingham Motor Speedway Circuit

Rockingham Motor Speedway features a distinctive D-shaped oval configuration that measures 0.94 miles in length. The track presents unique challenges for NASCAR Truck Series competitors with varying banking angles throughout the circuit. Turns 1 and 2 carry 22 degrees of banking, while Turns 3 and 4 increase to 25 degrees. The straightaways feature 8 degrees of banking, and the entire surface consists of asphalt.

The facility earned its nickname "The Rock" through decades of competitive racing. This D-shaped layout creates different racing lines and strategy options for teams throughout the 200-lap distance.

Historic Racing Venue

Harold Brasington, who also built Darlington Raceway, opened this facility on October 31, 1965, as North Carolina Motor Speedway. The track became North Carolina's first purpose-built superspeedway. The circuit underwent reconfiguration in 1969 to create the high-banked, D-shaped oval that drivers race on today.

The NASCAR Cup Series competed at this venue from 1965 through 2004. The track changed ownership multiple times, with Roger Penske purchasing it in 1997, followed by International Speedway Corporation in 1999, and then Speedway Motorsports Inc. Andy Hillenburg bought the facility in 2007 and renamed it Rockingham Speedway. The NASCAR Truck Series raced here in 2012 and 2013 before returning in 2025.

The venue holds recognition as one of eight locations on the NC Moonshine & Motorsports Trail, highlighting its significance in American racing history.

The 2026 NASCAR Truck Series Season

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competes in 25 races during the 2026 season. The schedule includes 18 regular-season races followed by a 7-race playoff format. The series expands its diversity with street circuit races at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and San Diego's Naval Base Coronado.

Expected Driver Field

Several notable drivers will compete in the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026. Parker Eatmon makes his series debut with Niece Motorsports. Daniel Dye returns to full-time Truck Series competition. Justin Haley comes back to the series full-time for the first time since 2018. Christian Eckes also returns to full-time status in the Truck Series.

Matt Crafton, who retired from full-time racing after the previous season, will make select starts in 2026. Rajah Caruth moves up to the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for the 2026 season.

Racing at Rockingham

The Black's Tire 200 at Rockingham Motor Speedway offers a contrast to many modern NASCAR venues. The 0.94-mile distance means drivers complete more laps than at larger tracks, creating more opportunities for position changes and strategy decisions. The varying banking angles through different sections of the track reward drivers who can adapt their racing lines throughout a run.

Teams must balance setup choices between the tighter turns 1 and 2 and the faster turns 3 and 4. The track's characteristics favor drivers who can manage tire wear across long runs while maintaining competitive lap times.

This nascar-truck race at Rockingham provides teams and drivers with a traditional short-track racing experience on a facility with deep connections to NASCAR history. The combination of the historic venue and competitive Truck Series field creates compelling racing action across all 200 laps.