Rockingham Speedway gears up for Crown 9 series

ROCKINGHAM — A brand new racing series debuts this weekend at the iconic Rockingham Speedway.

The inaugural race in the grassroots Crown 9 Champion Series will pit drivers in Ford Crown Victorias against each other on the speedway’s infield roval for a chance at a $3,000 purse.

Other cars allowed are the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car, but all cars must be manufactured from 1992-2011 and have a roll cage.

Additional rules are available at the speedway’s website.

The races for this season will be on the road course, according to Matt Russell with the speedway. The course is just over a half-mile.

Drivers will compete in three 25-lap heats with the top three drivers from each heat going head to head in a final showdown.

Russell said the race isn’t a demolition derby… “but, if someone bumps into someone, ya know, rubbin’ is racing.”

“Everybody understands that and everybody’s coming out to watch some carnage of some sort,” Russell continued. “We’re not expecting the guys to go out there t-boning each other, but…if someone’s a little slow and gets a little bump in the rear and happens to slide around, hey, rubbin’s racing … it is what it is.”

In preparation for the race, the speedway installed bleachers near the road course as well as a catch fence to keep spectators safe.

MB Drift and Warriors in Motion will be offering ride-alongs during the hour preceding the first heat race. There will also be food trucks on site, as well as a DJ.

Spectators are encouraged to meet the drivers and look at the cars.

“It might inspire you to go out and get your own car … and become a local legend,” Russell said.

“I think it’s going to be a really cool event,” driver Sergio Pena said in a video posted Aug. 4, adding that drivers expected from all over the East Coast.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Pena continued. “Should be some really good competition, some fun Saturday night short-track racing … Come on out and check out a good show.

Drifter Bret Dysart, a former circle track driver from nearby Pinebluff, plans to be behind the wheel on Saturday. Several others from the MB Drift community are interested, but won’t have their cars ready for the first race.

Franklin’s Rod Shop in Rockingham will also have an entry in the Crown 9 series.

Drivers will have two practices before qualifying begins at 3 p.m. Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with the first heat starting at 6 p.m.