UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Now” will be featuring a segment on the economic impact of NASCAR’s return to Rockingham Speedway.
Those looking to relive the excitement of NASCAR’s return to Richmond County will get another opportunity when the program airs its feature on Rockingham Speedway on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
“They interviewed me at the speedway, and we sort of did a re-cap of the big day,” said Speedway Owner Andy Hillenburg.
The film crew also interviewed Emily Tucker, Chamber of Commerce president, Jyoti Patel, owner of America’s Best Value Inn in Rockingham, and Georgia Cagle, owner of Little Bo Steak House.
“North Carolina Now” features weekly stories related to pressing issues of the day, interesting places and the artistic and cultural aspects of the state and its population.
A film crew was on hand at the speedway for the Good Sam Roadside Assistance 200 on April 12, taking in the scenes from the infield prior to the race, the opening ceremonies and the racing excitement provided by the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series competitors. With an estimated attendance of 27,500 fans, the race weekend was deemed a success.
UNC-TV Correspondent Jeff Smith returned to Richmond County a few days after the race for a follow up on the event’s impact. A previous economic study, commissioned by the City of Rockingham, predicted that bringing a NASCAR-sanctioned race back to Rockingham Speedway would lead to the creation of more than 200 jobs and $10.5 million in spending. Smith interviewed local business owners and found that, along with a financial boost, a larger sense of civic pride has been restored to Richmond County.
“I was interviewed at the restaurant,” said Cagle. “We talked about the fact that when NASCAR left the speedway, it was a financial decision for them — but for the people who live here it was emotional. That hurt us. This community has a lot of historical connections with the sport.”
Cagle went on to say that she was at the speedway during the weekend of NASCAR’s return, and she was happy to see so many others in the community turn out to support the event.
“It was like a reunion, I saw so many people I knew out there,” said Cagle.
— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com
Steve Earwood has CONSISTANTLY deliver over 50 plus events per year...every year with no big stories....delivering mega people. Where is he mentioned???? Every article out there just wants to "hale NASCAR". There are many other venues that contribute mega dollars to Richmond County. What about Dewitt's shooting clays, what about the hunting, fishing clubs? All we hear is the NASCAR past. You put all your eggs in one basket and you get what the Titanic Richmond County got.....an empty basket.
Andy is more than a great person, no doubt about it, and we all want him to succeed, but what about the people who have been here? Working hard to build their business before Andy got here???? The management at the "Andy Hillenberg Speedway" turned me off, not Andy. Their telephone staff referred all my NASCAR truck tickets customers to Moore County hotels....I tested it and they were right. Joytel Patel did too and she found the same.
This is a Titanic sinking county, trying to hold on to the iceberg of NASCAR and not expanding to encompass the whole public draw the county offers. It's not about the people who attended the event, stayed in the hotels, or ate in the restaurants....it's about the television revenue that is paid. We as a "titanic sinking county" are just a place to shoot the television .
This county has so many problems....it is sickening ...we need to change the management, especially the county management to focus on the small business growth that can stay in business more than 6-10 months.....thinks about it......