Those seeking signs that the economy is on the mend need look no further than Steve Earwood’s Rockingham Dragway which, in the midst of the current recession, attracted record numbers to its eight fall events.
In the fall quarter, The Rock drew 2,890 racing vehicles and more than 105,000 fans for events as diverse as the IHRA Team Finals, a competition for entry level, grassroots racers; the American Drag Racing League’s Dragstrock VI, featuring the extreme Pro Modified and Pro Stock vehicles; and the IHRA World Finals, last event in the IHRA NitroJam Series featuring 320 mile-an-hour Top Fuel dragsters.
“It was a very gratifying quarter,” Earwood said. “The economy being what it is, we were very happy with the numbers. Everyone in business is challenged right now, but our position is that in times like these, people need to be entertained more than ever and, thankfully, drag racing is a great outlet.”