Local News
Rockingham NASCAR weekend provides nearly $40 million in economic impact
According to official estimates released by the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and compiled by IMPLAN, a leading provider of economic impact data, the return of NASCAR weekend at Rockingham Speedway in April had a nearly $40 million economic impact combined between Moore and Richmond counties.
The event was staged April 18 -19 and featured the Black’s Tire 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA Menards Series and the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire.
The economic impact in Moore County was slightly more than $28 million, with neighboring Richmond County witnessing $11.8 million as a result of the race weekend. IMPLAN’s economic impact model combines the direct, indirect, and induced effects of major events, and for the NASCAR weekend, took into account impacts from lodging, food and beverage, retail, fuel consumption, and ticket sales.
In Moore County, the NASCAR event supplemented an already compressed market with visitors in the area during peak spring golf season. The CVB reported a 2.1% increase in hotel occupancy over the previous April at 72.1%, according to data provided by Smith Travel Research. In terms of short-term rentals, occupancy in April was up 2.3% and with revenue up 3.8% compared to April 2024. Overall, bookings of short-term rentals were up 7.5%, according to data provided by AirDNA. In April, AirDNA also showed 802 short-term rentals available for bookings in Moore County.
“From all accounts, we’ve heard nothing but great feedback about the race weekend, the fan experience and the ease of getting to and from the track from visitors coming to the area for the races,” said Phil Werz, President and CEO of the CVB. “Despite the race being held on Easter weekend and in the middle of peak golf season, we know more than a dozen NASCAR teams, crew members and hundreds of fans scooped up a good portion of available lodging options in Moore County. It was great to see racing back at The Rock and we know it will be back next year, too.”
According to figures provided by Track Enterprises, the entity that staged the race weekend, approximately 40,000 fans attended the two-day event. Saturday was a sell-out with more than 25,000 tickets sold, including standing room only options. The event also employed 500 workers each day.
The last time one of NASCAR’s top three series raced at Rockingham Speedway was in 2013 when Kyle Larson claimed the win in the Craftsman Truck Series. This was the Xfinity Series’ first event at The Rock since 2004.
“Bringing NASCAR back to The Rock has reignited a strong sense of pride and nostalgia throughout Richmond County and the Sandhills region, while also serving as an exciting alternative tourism driver,” said Martie Butler, Management Analyst and Economic Developer for Richmond County. “We deeply value the partnership we’ve built with our neighbors in Moore County. Though widely known as a premier golf destination, Moore County has warmly embraced NASCAR and our passionate fan base.”
The Rock’s revival started in May 2022 when the fabled track received an infusion of $9 million from the state’s Motorsports Relief Fund, administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce in hopes of enhancing the local tourism, travel and hospitality industries that benefit from motorsports impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Track ownership then followed with several track improvements including a complete resurfacing, installation of safer barriers and other infrastructure upgrades. Subsequently, NASCAR awarded The Rock with additions to the season schedule for 2025 and 2026.
The NASCAR weekend at Rockingham Speedway is expected to return in 2026. Race dates and locations for NASCAR’s top three series will be officially released later this year. It is expected that the Craftsman Truck Series and Xfinity Series will return in April 2026.
Contributed.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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