This is how it should be.

The way the weekend has unfolded for ARCA, its owners and drivers, its fans and most importantly for the Rockingham Speedway, Andy Hillenburg and the city of Rockingham is a blueprint for doing things the right way.

The ARCA weekend kicked off around noon Friday with a hauler parade through the streets of Rockingham.

I was fortunate to be invited to participate in the event and rode in Justin Lofton’s truck. Lofton is currently sitting atop the ARCA points standings after the first two races. Lofton finished third at Daytona in the opening race and was second at Salem.

After riding through the town and waving at the people lined along the street, the haulers returned to the track, where the sounds of UARA teams practicing for qualifying could be heard.

Rockingham could again feel the thunder of the cars running at “The Rock.”

Andy Hillenburg cannot be credited for single-handily saving the town of Rockingham because he has brought racing back, but he can be applauded for returning its spirit.

The city has embraced the idea of taking the hand it was dealt away when NASCAR went away and made a full house out of it.

People packed the square to meet the drivers, get autographs, listen to live bands and most importantly show support during Thunderfest.

Back during NASCAR’s infancy, this is how people became fans. Being right there rubbing elbows, shaking hands and meeting drivers. NASCAR has become too big to remember its roots. Instead of meeting the public, many drivers have corporate events to attend to fulfill their contract obligations.

Hillenburg cannot take credit for the near perfect weather forecast for the weekend, but can for slowly returning the track to its prominence on the national racing scene.

“Everyone is walking around with a big smile,” Hillenburg said. “Everyone from ARCA is happy to be back here racing. They would like to make this one of their home tracks.”

Even though the track had been sitting quiet until Hillenburg purchased it at auction, the drivers knew the challenges and joy of racing at “The Rock.”

Every driver I had the chance to talk to about Sunday’s Carolina 200 knows of the track’s history and reputation of making the expert drivers seem like amateurs.

Alli Owens, who finished 15th in the Carolina 500 last year, wanted to compete in the race despite bouncing back from injuries she suffered in a motorcycle accident. She feels she gained valuable experience about the track after last season’s race and during practice sessions this year.

“I think I learned more in our test sessions a few weeks ago about tire management,” Owens said. “This is a place where going in you have to remember you aren’t going to beat the track.”

Robb Brent, a newcomer to Rockingham Speedway, sat around for an extra three days last month through the rain because he knew he needed to get valuable time on the track. Brent watched last year’s race because the team he was racing with was unable to field a car.

Brent, like many other first-timers, realized “The Rock” will be difficult to tame for rookies.

“I didn’t realize how tight it was coming out of turn two,” Brent said. “It really narrows there and you think it’s going to be open. You just have to be patient.”

Patience seems to be the key word floating around from drivers, crew chiefs and owners this week. The drivers who are patient and pick their spots to be aggressive may be the team to take the checkered flag.